Fair Play at FIFA?

The following post comes about as a result of the research and work put in by Auldheid.

He has drafted the submission to FIFA detailed below after closely looking at their rules, and taking on board the points contained in the Glasnost “Golden Rule” blog. TSFM has attached the blog’s name to the report since the overwhelming – but not unanimous – view of our readership is that the SFA and the SPL have again gotten themselves into an almighty and embarrassingly amateur fankle over this issue.

We believe that tens of thousands of football fans will be lost to the game if the outcome of the LNS enquiry is not perceived to be commensurate with the scope and extent of the rule breaking that LNS found had taken place. In view of this, we believe that we have to do what we can to explore all possibilities for justice for those who love the game so much and yet are utterly disillusioned by recent events.

LNS is not being questioned here. He has found that RFC were guilty as charged by the SPL.

What is being questioned is the SFA’s crucial – and seemingly conflicted  – role in the LNS enquiry, as is the effectiveness of LNS’s recommended sanction as either a deterrent or an upholder of sporting integrity.

It came to our notice last week that FIFA have created a web site at

https://www.bkms-system.net/bkwebanon/report/clientInfo?cin=6fifa61&language=eng

that tells us that FIFA have implemented a regulatory framework which is intended to ensure that all statutory rules, rules of conduct and internal guidelines of FIFA are respected and complied with.

In support of that regulatory framework FIFA have set up the above site as a reporting mechanism by means of which inappropriate behaviour and infringements of the pertinent regulations may be reported.

FIFA say that their jurisdiction encompasses misconduct that (1) relates to match manipulation; (2) occurs in or affects more than one confederation, so that it cannot adequately be addressed by a single confederation; or (3) would ordinarily be addressed by a confederation or association, but, under the particular facts at issue, has not been or is unlikely to be dealt with appropriately at that level.

Discussions arising from the previous blog on TSFM, “Gilt Edged Justice”, which was published after Lord Nimmo Smith (LNS) ruled on the registration of Rangers players who had contractual side letters that were not disclosed to the SFA as part of their registration, suggest that there may be possible unfortunate consequences for football arising from the evidence presented by the SFA to the LNS enquiry that informed its findings on registration and consequent eligibility. There is also a question of the propriety of the SFA providing evidence on an issue which could have had a negative impact on them had it been found that they had failed to carrying out their registration duties with due rigour over a period of ten years when the existence of EBTs was known to officials within the SFA.

On the basis that the LNS findings require that registration rules be clarified by FIFA and rewritten globally if necessary to remove any ambiguity and under clause 3 above, this appears to be an issue that the FIFA should examine and that the SFA cannot address.

The following report has therefore been submitted by TSFM on behalf of its readers to FIFA drawing on the content and debate following the “Gilt Edged Justice” blog in respect of the possible footballing consequences of the LNS enquiry.

The hope is that by speaking for so many supporters, FIFA will give the TSFM submission some weight, but individuals are free of course to make their own points in their own way.  We await acknowledgement of the submission.

The report Submitted to FIFA is as follows;

This report was prepared on behalf of the 10,000-strong readership of The Scottish Football Monitor at http://scottishfootballmonitor.wordpress.com/
It is our belief that FIFA general rules of conduct were breached by the SFA and their employees in both creating and then advising The Lord Nimmo Smith (LNS) enquiry into the non disclosure of full payment information to the Scottish Football Association (SFA) by Rangers F.C during a period of player registration over 10 years from 2000.

We believe that although the issue has been addressed by the SFA the particular facts at issue suggest that it has not been dealt with appropriately and we therefore ask FIFA to investigate. The facts at issue are that the process and advice given failed to uphold sporting integrity, and that a conflict of interest was at play.

We believe the advice provided and the enquiry set up, where SFA both advised and is the appellant body, breaches not only the integrity the registration rules were intended to uphold, but also totally undermines the integrity of the SFA in breach of General Conduct rules 1, 2 and 4. (See below.)

1.  Firstly we believe that the advice supplied to LNS that an incorrectly registered player was eligible to play as long as the registration was accepted by the SFA however unwittingly, undermines the intent of the SPL/SFA rules on player registration and so undermines the integrity of football in three ways.

• It incentivises clubs to apply for a player to be registered even if they know that the conditions of registration are not satisfied, in the hope that the application will somehow ‘slip through the net’ and be granted anyway (in which case it will be valid until revoked).

• A club which discovers that it has made an error in its application is incentivized to say nothing and to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ – because it would be in a better position by not confessing its mistake.

• And most importantly, it incentivises fraud.  By deliberately concealing relevant information, a club can ensure that a player who does not satisfy the registration conditions is treated as being eligible – and therefore allowed to play – for as long as a period as possible (potentially his entire spell with the club). Then, if the club is no longer around when the deception is finally discovered, imposing meaningful sanctions may be impossible.

2.   Secondly we believe the process followed was inappropriate due to a Conflict of Interest. Had the LNS enquiry not ruled on the basis of advice supplied by The SFA, they and those persons advising the LNS enquiry, could have been subjected to censure and the SFA to potential compensation claims had LNS found that the players were indeed ineligible to play and results then been annulled as was SFA practice when an ineligible player played.

3.  Finally we contend that a law should not be applied according to its literal meaning if to do so would lead to an absurdity or a manifest injustice or in this case loss of football integrity.
See http://glasnostandapairofstrikers.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/gilt-edged-justice/

4. We therefore ask FIFA to investigate both the process used and advice given to Lord Nimmo Smith to satisfy themselves that FIFA’s intentions with regard to upholding the integrity of football under FIFA rules have not been seriously damaged by the LNS findings and also to reassure Scottish football supporters that the integrity of our game has not been sacrificed by the very authority in whose care it has been placed to promote the short term cause of commercialism to the games long term detriment.

General Rules of Conduct (These are taken from the FIFA web site itself and can be found as part of completing the submission process)

1. Persons bound by this Code are expected to be aware of the importance of their duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities.

2. Persons bound by this Code are obliged to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA’s regulatory framework to the extent applicable to them.

3. N/A

4. Persons bound by this Code may not abuse their position in any way, especially to take advantage of their position for private aims or gains.

This entry was posted in General by Trisidium. Bookmark the permalink.
Tom Byrne

About Trisidium

Trisidium is a Dunblane businessman with a keen interest in Scottish Football. He is a Celtic fan, although the demands of modern-day parenting have seen him less at games and more as a taxi service for his kids.

4,057 thoughts on “Fair Play at FIFA?


  1. At the weekend on national radio we had a currently unemployed manger Jimmy Calderwood admitting live whilst being interviewed that he was “installed” in one of his previous jobs by the then chairman of a rival team , he further stated that the then chairman of the club he was managing was “kinda” running two other clubs Dundee & Livingston . I believe the term the youngsters use on social media is a WOW moment. I thought at that time we may have had mention of said statement in one of the papers I mean it might have been important that apparently 2 men (Murray & Masterson ) (axis of charlotte square) had effective control of 4 clubs in Scotland , I mean things like conflict of interest spring to mind, and that’s without looking at the football rules side of it .
    Now I know even in the land of two contracts good , one contract stupid and bearing in mind who was involved you would have thought it could have been worthy of mention. But no instead we get the same Jimmy Calderwood on Monday evening on same radio station in reverse gear ably accompanied by Billy Dodds who to the best of my knowledge has has at least 5 different attempts ( and 5 different versions) on the same radio station to justify his two contracts and EBT. We then have the Chico Green appearing for the depths of Ibrox to now back 10 , 10, 18 as long as they a “wee lift” above everybody else, after what was a lifetime of silence from said Chico. Now we have the story about confidential leaks around the RTC and the police inquiry, this isn’t new this was instigated when then the FTTT result was announced.
    Anyone else think a wee bit of brown stuff hit a very small fan at the weekend and caused a bit of panic in the Charlotte Square Area of Edinburgh


  2. Are we being distracted here?
    No sign of the meeting to discuss the LNS findings.
    Is it a case of ‘let it sit for a while and all the smoke and fury will be dissipated’
    I am looking so much forward to hearing how the twelve apostles of the SPL view Bryson’s pirouette and how Pinocchio himself justifies his contribution to the LNS inquiry.


  3. @ Senior,

    Any meeting to discuss the LNS findings will simply be a matter of applying a rubber stamp.
    The football authorities having gone down the route of selecting an independent commission can hardly
    dismiss their findings.

    The fact is the commission was independent and reached it’s conclusions based upon the rules and the evidence given in support of them.

    That particular case is closed.


  4. angus1983 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 15:45
    2 0 i
    Rate This
    Carl31 (@C4rl31) says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 15:22

    RFC were served with a WUO …

    I thought TGEF put them into voluntary administration, apparently thinking that a CVA was a realisitic possibility? At the time, I think the (then) current non-payment of tax wasn’t known about … rather an annual loss of £10m plus possible BTC liabilities were the reasons publicly given by CW:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17015966

    I don’t think a Winding Up Petition was submitted at any point. Rather, liquidation came as a consequence of the failure to exit administration.

    = = = = =

    Yes, my error. CW planned entry to administration, then HMRC were trying to have their own administrators appointed, then Rangers put in Admin voluntarily straight away to ensure D&P appointment. HMRC action forced the admin move quickly.


  5. spaldingbhoy
    With you on bernie winters loose lips on OTB on Sat ,IMO he slipped up BIG TIME and it was no coincidence the peepils station gave him the earliest seat to back track and double talk his way out of the mess he had created and with two contracts Doddsey batting for bernie it ensured no real questions were asked about his gaff .
    The fact the whole sordid press pack felt no need to explore his revelations should leave no one in any doubt as to who they favour (but we already knew that anyway ).
    Just as bernies wee cosy arrangement with the mint was eventually exposed ,so too will all the cosy relationships with the peepil who have played their part in the debacle of the last 12 months .
    Follow the money and the truth will out


  6. Grant King (@Sprotson) says:

    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 14:12

    will more police time be wasted in investigating “leaks”, or is it only investigated if it is to do with scotland’s establishment “team” ?

    So breaking the law should not be investigated?
    ……………………………………..

    Out of interest……what law was broken?


  7. Just a wee question for anyone who understands such things.

    T’Rangers share price is slowly heading south and while most of the trades (with the exception of two at 400k the other week after the interim results) are small beer they are mostly marked up as ‘sells’ with only the occassional ‘buy’.

    http://www.lse.co.uk/SharePrice.asp?shareprice=RFC&share=rangers_int

    Presumably if shares are being put up for sale and then sold then someone is buying them up. So how does the sells and buys match/balance up?

    Who will be buying up the relatively small lots that seem to get sold maybe three or four a day?

    Is it just a bit of horse trading between traders?

    Is the two 400k ‘sells’ someone getting out and who would have bought them for a few £100k?


  8. Interesting clarification on page 2 of today’s Scotsman.
    It reads:
    On 12 February, we published a report headlined,”Celtic debt wiped out by Champions League Run.” This is not correct, and we are happy to clarify that the article should have referred specifically to Celtic’s bank debt rather than its entire debt. Celtic’s most recent annual report reports a liability of £9 million, which is over and above its bank debt.
    Can anyone shed any lighht on:
    A) what that £9 liability is, and
    B) enlighten me as to who would want The Scotsman to publish this clarification and why?
    Thanks.


  9. carlislecelt says:
    Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 23:10
    22 1 Rate This
    BBC2 Scotland just now. The Chief of Police he is a bloody disgrace.

    Carlislecelt what was it he said that particularly annoyed you I missed the interview, I know it was Les Gray ,so I can assure you he was no chief of police an inspector yes, Secretary of the local Strathclyde Federation yes but chief of police no.


  10. paulmac2 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 17:29
    0 0 Rate This
    Grant King (@Sprotson) says:

    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 14:12

    will more police time be wasted in investigating “leaks”, or is it only investigated if it is to do with scotland’s establishment “team” ?

    So breaking the law should not be investigated?
    ……………………………………..

    Out of interest……what law was broken
    =======

    If an officer of HMRC leaked any information, then that is in breach of the Official Secrets Act. When I joined the Inland Revenue in 1975, I had to sign a declaration that I understood and would abide by the restrictions of the Act. I have no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who has signed such an undertaking and then broken it.


  11. Jonnyoyd was that Jimmys attempt at his very own Craigie moment sin tape recording. There’s been plenty football jobs in Scotland he would have been more than capable of filling and as yet he’s been passed over. Could he have been calling somebody’s bluff or is he reminding somebody that certain promises were made and haven’t been kept, could even be making a play for the “the greatest job in division 3 ” itself.


  12. spaldinbhoy
    who knows? although Sally is making it easy for the managerial buzzards to keep circling ,if the views of some sevco fans are to be believed .
    Maybe bernie thinks he is owed one .
    I do wonder though if the owner of M Utd had placed a manager into the Everton job with the premise that if HE did well he would get a job with M Utd and that manager had been in place for a title decider against M Utd ,in which a Chelsea player stated ,they knew Everton would lay down ,how it would be reported down south .
    Would we expect there to be at least questions asked or would the ex Everton manager be given a platform to deflect from his comments and be let off the hook .
    the stench in our game is becoming unbearable and as I said before in the years to come the cosy decisions made during all this will out and the peepil involved will be exposed


  13. borussiabeefburg says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 08:35

    One story from three different Scottish newspapers over the past 24 hours has been reported in a very similar style. None of the reports has a by-line. All three emphasise the ex-existence of a ‘former Rangers club’.

    “The former Rangers club known as “Oldco” was investigated last year over its use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs).”

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/confidential-leaks-relating-rangers-tax-1773676

    “The former Rangers club, known as Oldco, was investigated last year over its use of EBTs.

    http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/rangers-tax-leak-probe.20561620

    “The former Rangers club known as “Oldco” was investigated last year over its use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs).”

    http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/rangers-tax-leak-probed-by-police-1-2845555

    Am I correct in my assumption that these reports probably weren’t written by Scottish sports journalists?
    ============================================

    Perhaps the true author of the piece felt his fellow professionals weren’t up to the job and wrote it for them.

    As for your assumption – I think the term “sports reporters/typist” rather than journalist is probably a better description.


  14. albabhoy says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 17:42

    B) enlighten me as to who would want The Scotsman to publish this clarification and why?
    ——

    Could be a request from Celtic Park – because they wouldn’t want the press reporting that their debt had been cleared and then a debit figure turns up in the accounts leading to accusations of porkie pies? Or Celtic’s accountants, for that matter.

    Seems like an effort at transparency to me.

    Either that or some vindictive currant who couldn’t stomach a good-news story about Celtic. 😉


  15. angus1983 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 15:45
    3 0 Rate This
    Carl31 (@C4rl31) says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 15:22

    RFC were served with a WUO …

    I thought TGEF put them into voluntary administration, apparently thinking that a CVA was a realisitic possibility? At the time, I think the (then) current non-payment of tax wasn’t known about … rather an annual loss of £10m plus possible BTC liabilities were the reasons publicly given by CW:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17015966

    I don’t think a Winding Up Petition was submitted at any point. Rather, liquidation came as a consequence of the failure to exit administration.

    ======

    IIRC whyte announced the intention to go into administration within 14 days, no WUP had been registered HMRC went to court the next day to have the club put into administration as the board were not fit and proper, the board did not challenge this but said they would go int administration that day, the judge gave them till close of business and thereby d&d took over

    At not point was a WUP made


  16. jonnyod says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 18:24

    … as I said before in the years to come the cosy decisions made during all this will out and the peepil involved will be exposed
    ——

    I have my doubts, jonny. There are presumably organisations involved (wonder how Mr Green’s initiation went in January?) who are pretty good at keeping secrets to themselves. Given the membership of such societies, I don’t think we’ll ever know the details – e.g. we still don’t know basic things like whether there was ever a signed 5-way agreement and what was or wasn’t in it.


  17. @ TSFM and posters thereon

    [TSFM Edit: For the umpteenth time, the blog is not the subject natter (sic). If you intend to draw the mods attention to something, please do so using the facility provided. If the point is to engage in abit of navel gazing or a sociological experiment, there are probably better places to do that.
    The mods view is those who place great store on TUs or TDs (cunningly fished for or not) are usually out to feed their own egos.
    Other feeing stations are available :mrgreen: ]


  18. Jonnoyd must be the first time somebody has misquoted themselves. You’ve got to think that cracks are showing some people(or is it peepul ) are breaking ranks and finding it easier to implicate certain people in nefarious goings on, yes I know they retract it almost immediately (courtesy of Radio Apology) but things are still being said that would never have been said before, oh how we need Alex Thomson or Mark Daly or somebody of that ilk to take an interest again, Mr Cosgrove can you help.


  19. Neepheid 17.58

    If an officer of HMRC leaked any information, then that is in breach of the Official Secrets Act. When I joined the Inland Revenue in 1975, I had to sign a declaration that I understood and would abide by the restrictions of the Act. I have no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who has signed such an undertaking and then broken it.

    Whilst I entirely agree with your remarks above, I think it is too simplistic for anyone to assume that any leak of confidential info on untaxed payments must have come from HMRC sources.
    If we remember our facts, the info was originally obtained in a dawn raid on Ibrox by City of London police, enquiring into anomalies regarding suspicious transfer fees, including that of J-A Boumsong. The relevant documentation obtained eventually found its way to HMRC. At what point such info was passed on to external parties is thus open to debate.


  20. Angus 1903, Carl 31 and others:

    Regarding xRFC administration, was this voluntary? My recollection is that CW gave notice of going into administration, but HMRC beat him to court with an immediate application. Judge Hodge in the face of strong opposition from HMRC then appointed the CW choice Duff and Phelps as administrators despite the well known connections between that firm and CW, which obviously raised strong suspicions of conflict of interest, now still being investigated by the professional body at the behest of Judge Hodge.


  21. talk on SSB from TRFC fans claiming rangers should get their lawyers involved if they do not get promoted to another league during league reconstruction.

    surely this is nonsense, you cannot apply a rule book for an old association if it is dissolved.

    also, TRFC withdrawing from a TV deal, they will have no option, TV rights will be decided by the body managing the leagues..


  22. dryhope says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 20:08

    I don’t understand the reference to Scots Law in your first sentence. What has the law got to do with it?

    Of course the site is moderated. We all know that, and if I personally don’t like the moderation policy, I can set up my own blog. Or even contact the moderators direct- there is a link at the top of the page. I have actually used it, rather than bother everyone else with my troubles.

    Of course TSFM is a construct. Everything is. But it does have support, and it does accommodate different views. Anyone can compose posts to harvest TU’s or TD’s. On this or any other forum. It isn’t clever and it doesn’t prove anything, except that people like to have their own opinions reinforced, and disagree with people whose opinions don’t match their own. No sh*t Sherlock, as the sage once said.

    It is difficult to swim against the tide of majority opinion, of course it is. On this and every other forum. My advice, if you have an unpopular viewpoint, is to express it and then ignore the TD’s. But whatever you do, don’t make a big song and dance about it. There can be no room on any forum for people moaning on about TD’s and TU’s. Get over it and keep posting, or don’t get over it and just move elsewhere.


  23. Jonnyod apologies for misspelling your name still not used to anything thats not a typewriter keyboard.
    # I’m a dinosaur .


  24. rantinrobin says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 08:56
    44 1 Rate This
    From the BBC website
    ‘Bomber ‘ Brown on how to negate the influence of Gareth Bale
    when we play Wales
    “Well, do you know what you do; with the pace that he’s got and the close control – he can’t run without legs,” Brown told BBC Radio Scotland.
    I am sure Marke Wotte, Performance Director for the SFA will be
    reassured to note BB’s remarkable and sophisticated tactical
    approach to the game. And he has a badge!
    We can also feel gratified that the pending Hampden meetings to decide the future of Scottish football will be co-ordinated by such an adept trio of administrators.
    In the last year all three have made decisions which can best be described as remarkable, and breathtaking.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    And presumably they’ve now put that kind of thinking into practice when coaching the kids up at Dundee. I dispair.


  25. spaldingbhoy
    No probs
    I wonder how the MSM down south would have reported on bernie little tongue slip if it involved the owner of say, M utd placing a manager in the Everton job and it involving a title decider with say Chelsea .
    Would it get lack of coverage it did here
    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm


  26. smartie1947 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 20:23

    If we remember our facts, the info was originally obtained in a dawn raid on Ibrox by City of London police, enquiring into anomalies regarding suspicious transfer fees, including that of J-A Boumsong. The relevant documentation obtained eventually found its way to HMRC. At what point such info was passed on to external parties is thus open to debate.

    ======

    I was careful to say “if” in my post. I was just pointing out how a crime may have been committed. The Official Secrets Act covers the police, just as much as it does HMRC, and I similarly have no sympathy with police officers who pass on confidential information to other parties. The information could also have been leaked by a member of one of the legal teams involved, or by someone in the tribunal. I have no information on any of that, but I am not at all surprised that the police are looking into the source, since clearly a crime may have been committed That is the point I was trying to make.


  27. If we are ever wondering how far our game has drifted from being a sport ,may I suggest listening back to tonight’s podcast of SSB ,were the MSM pundits openly opine about forgetting all the rules and getting sevco 2012 into the SPL ASAP and the reason given for this ripping up of the rules ,yes you guessed it ,the GOOD of Scottish football .

    last one out turn aff the lights


  28. Re the investigation by Strathclyde police into the HMRC leak ,I’m sure they will look into it with the same gusto as they have looked into other things in this farce .
    In fact they may even get a culprit this time


  29. Grant King (@Sprotson) says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 14:12
    10 40 Rate This
    will more police time be wasted in investigating “leaks”, or is it
    only investigated if it is to do with scotland’s establishment
    “team” ?
    So breaking the law should not be investigated?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    If there is a case to answer then, yes, absolutely there MUST be an investigation. We have already seen the case of Rangers. They most definitely had a case to answer. They were found guilty. And yet the punishment (of which there was none) dud not fit the crime.
    I can only assume that, in the event that the leaks are described as having persistantly broken the rules in repeated official judgements, you will be happy to see the same ridiculous outcome, namely that the guilty party goes unpunished.


  30. Jonnyod I think the yellow ticker-tape on SSN would be going into overdrive the press would be all over it , statements in the house of commons from elected leaders about clearing out corruption. You would hope it would have happened here, but Neil Lennon wasn’t involved so its business as usual move along there, the man didn’t mean what he said etc dont put words in the mans mouth , that’s what I said but not what I meant. Like you I believe the longer this carry on with TRFC progresses , the further the corruption would appear to reach. Having said that there has been a lot deflection, mis direction and threats since Saturday so maybe some people are genuinely worried their secrets are going to be uncovered


  31. jonnyod says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 20:51
    2 0 Rate This

    Well said; what they forget is that ASAP is 3 years; anything else is much worse for Scottish Football, because there will a huge number of decent folk “walking away”

    They just don’t get it…. and they never will.


  32. Lord Wobbly that result would be assured if LNS was sitting Judge


  33. smartie1947 says: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 20:23, Neepheid 17.58

    wrt Official Secrets’ Act and possible sources of leaks.
    Agree with you there are multiple points of possible leakage. However I’d disagree that any Act has to be observed always. Where hidden but clear wrongdoing is taking place should we not make it known no matter what? Was this not the obligation carved in stone at Nuremberg post WW2?

    I agree too that this famous PR release is another move to discourage further news breaking. We must be very close to the point where they fear that participants will start to run for cover, hence the warning. Will the dam burst? I don’t know. The operators of the carve-up sure do have a writ which runs deep. Are there Overarching Issues involved? Some might think that.


  34. Folks,

    We are happy to deal with people who contact us directly wrt the moderation of the site.

    My view is that those people who need an audience with which to feed their discontent, usually affecting mock victimhood about their freedoms etc, are those who have no real interest in anything other than bringing the reputation of the blog down because they don’t agree with the rules which have been pretty much in place since we started. That and bigging up their own ego.

    We don’t want the blog to be the main theme of discussion on the blog. If we have nothing of substance to talk about other than “how this blog is becoming nothing ore than an anti-Rangers/anti-Celtic site”, then we really need to go elsewhere.

    That was the nature of the post which was removed tonight. It was snide, paranoid and of absolutely no import to what we do here.

    Having said that, we could have a page for moans and groans and self-flagellation if it allows some steam to be vented (still abiding by the usual rules of course). Personally I am not convinced that IS a good idea, because it will make it easy for trolls to side-track us. It would be a huge risk to the future of the blog.

    Happy to have a go though if that’s the feeling on this straw poll – and for once I will look at the TsU ad TsD. 🙂


  35. From http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/218396-rangers-confirm-investigation-into-francisco-sandaza-prank-phone-call/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

    “If it is Sandaza action could contravene Scottish FA rules which state no player can attempt to negotiate or arrange a transfer with any person while under contract elsewhere.”

    Interesting thought (to me anyway). Who would take the action against Sandaza for ‘tapping himself up’? CG has been quite open about using the courts to sue UEFA/SFA/FA whoever to allow him to play wherever he liked. He is happily taking action against player of the old Rangers in spite of TUPE rules. The SFA, in turn, has been taken to and defeated in the CoS, in direct contravention of its own rules, and done nothing about it.

    The Scottish FA rules referred to (and indeed a great many football rules) are in direct contravention of European freedom of movement laws. There is nothing stopping any other person in the EU speaking to prospective employers (thousands do it every day). Footballers are different, of course, because if a footballer challenges the rules, he will win and the transfer market is goosed.

    So what say Francisco Sandaza gets hammered by one or the other and decides to fight it in the courts?


  36. Big Pink says:

    Happy to have a go though if that’s the feeling – and for once I will look at the TUs ad TDs.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    BP, Is there not a way to remove the TD/TU? They don’t really add anything and just seem to lead to people getting the hump when others disagree with them.


  37. With regard to the clear bias shown to ‘the establishment club’ by SSB,everyone on this forum should make a point of contacting OFCOM citing that this radio station breaches the Broadcasting Code section dealing with Impartiality and Accuracy.It may not bring change in attitude straight off the bat,but it’s a start and it will let SSB know its being looked at.


  38. scottc says:

    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:21 (Edit)
    ________________________________________________________

    Yes, they could be removed easily. On balance though, I think it gives and indication on a quick scan which posts are with or against the flow and which cause debate.

    The only real problem with them are that people appear to be obsessed with their OWN ratings. My inference when I see this is that those guys are more occupied with how others see them that they are with the argument.

    Don’t forget, many people who lurk and don’t wish to contribute to the discussion can silently approve or disapprove of comments. That’s why they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

    Again, we are happy to go with the flow. If people would prefer the TsU and TsD removed, no problem.

    Maybe do a wee poll after the one above is taken.


  39. myohmy1 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:29

    With regard to the clear bias shown to ‘the establishment club’ by SSB,everyone on this forum should make a point of contacting OFCOM citing that this radio station breaches the Broadcasting Code section dealing with Impartiality and Accuracy

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Most of the country does hear SSB and the section of the Broadcasting Code you refer to applies to news. SSB, from what I can gather, is a talk show


  40. “does hear” should of course read “does NOT hear” :o)


  41. myohmy – don’t think it’d work. They’d just say “we’re a show based on discussion and opinion, which some listeners are bound to disagree with.”

    Fortunately, I’ve never listened to SSB in my life. And if I was in the RC broadcast area, I’d make a point of not starting now.

    willmacufree (your name reminds me of Auschwitz, which is a bit unfortunate! :)) – I think there are certainly overarching issues. However, I don’t think the press release is a threat. I would be a bit miffed if my tax details were broadcast to the world too, and I think that’s all there is to this latest news.

    I should imagine there are participants who have things up their un-rolled-up trouser leg which are yet to be revealed. I would bet that TGEF is much better at veiled threats, on account of him having better things to threaten other participants with. It would seem, however, that he has no need to deploy any info just now. Which indicates that last time he got what he wanted.

    He’s gone very quiet – so either he has achieved satisfaction or is waiting for something to happen which he instructed as part of an agreed package.


  42. Re SSB use the off button / switch starve them of the listening figures they need , and save your sanity at the same time.


  43. I think TU and TD should stay. They’re often a good indicator of the level of bias present in readers around the time of posting, and whether things should be maybe be rephrased to get a point across.


  44. spaldingbhoy says:

    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:49 (Edit)
    Quantcast
    Re SSB use the off button / switch starve them of the listening figures they need , and save your sanity at the same time.
    _________________________________________________________________

    Very true – and their audience is not so great that even a couple of hundred or so people falling off wouldn’t hurt them.

    SSB is a positive reinforcement of a certain mindset. Having helped to moderate this blog for several months now, we have attempted not to allow that to happen here. But the pressures are great so I can sympathise a bit.

    The major difference between them and us though is that they need the ratings and have no sensibilities to protect nor aspirations to find the truth.


  45. Big Pink says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:13
    15 8 Rate This
    Folks,
    We are happy to deal with people who contact us directly wrt the moderation of the site.
    My view is that those people who need an audience with which to feed their discontent, usually affecting mock victimhood about their freedoms etc, are those who have no real interest in anything other than bringing the reputation of the blog down because they don’t agree with the rules which have been pretty much in place since we started. That and bigging up their own ego.
    We don’t want the blog to be the main theme of discussion on
    the blog. If we have nothing of substance to talk about other than “how this blog is becoming nothing ore than an anti-Rangers/anti-Celtic site”, then we really need to go elsewhere.
    That was the nature of the post which was removed tonight. It
    was snide, paranoid and of absolutely no import to what we do here.
    Having said that, we could have a page for moans and groans and self-flagellation if it allows some steam to be vented (still abiding by the usual rules of course). Personally I am not convinced that
    IS a good idea, because it will make it easy for trolls to side-track us. It would be a huge risk to the future of the blog.
    Happy to have a go though if that’s the feeling on this straw poll –and for once I will look at the TsU ad TsD.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    While I don’t necessarily disagree with the points you make, I can only say that, imho, the RTC site was at its best when it tackled ‘hecklers’ through discourse. I agree that persistant ‘offenders’ may require a different approach, but lets guard against being too hasty in deleting posts.


  46. angus1983 says:

    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:52 (Edit)

    Quantcast
    I think TU and TD should stay. They’re often a good indicator of the level of bias present in readers around the time of posting, and whether things should be maybe be rephrased to get a point across.
    ____________________________________________________________________

    But not necessarily an indication of the levels of bias (as you deem it) on the part of contributors. That’s where the misconception lies.


  47. So Sevco deserve to get promoted because they have won the league, well what off Queen of the South and most likely Alloa. By the end of the season if the proposal gets through, then assuimg no clubs get liquidated, then Dundee get relegated and Partick/ Morton get promoted, and there remains 10 teams in division one. Add to that Queen of the South who won the second division, then one place would be left in the new second division. At present Alloa would be best placed to take this up as they are second in division 2. So my question would be why would Alloa not be allowed to get promoted for a fast tracked Sevco? Charlie says all teams deserve to be promoted, so who does he propose will miss out to accommodate his team. This ladies and gentlemen is why Dunfemline will be allowed to fold, to create a place in this division. Call me cynical but I would suspect the SFA/SPL/SFL will not be too bothered about Dunfemline as it provides the only out for fasttrack, much as that is extremely unpalatable.


  48. As some have said before on here ,dont listen or retune from this extension of the FF live on air site ,they have long been puppets of their Sevco masters and their strings will be pulled as they dance to their masters tunes,Shug Keevins is an embarrassment to himself ,if he was to phone the programme on his day off they would probably ridicule him as a silly ass of a caller before cutting him off,but the real downside here is the listeners that are being taken for a ride but the day will come when the truth will be laid bare and heaven wont be able to help these pundits from the wrath and deserved ridicule that will follow ,question for you Shug and your stringy pals where do you see yourselves at the start of next season ,I dont think Charles has enough positions for all of you,good luck in your next career move.


  49. Lord Wobbly says:

    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:57 (Edit)
    While I don’t necessarily disagree with the points you make, I can only say that, imho, the RTC site was at its best when it tackled ‘hecklers’ through discourse. I agree that persistent ‘offenders’ may require a different approach, but lets guard against being too hasty in deleting posts.
    _____________________________________________________________

    I take the point LW, but try wading through the debris after a troll has successfully wound everybody up.

    Deletion of posts is a judgement call often made to nip those situations in the bud. Whether people agree or disagree with the mods on what is being deleted, I hope the vast majority are satisfied that we do what we do in good faith.

    Mistakes have been made – and put right – on occasion, but we have to depend on the trust of contributors. It also helps if people post in the spirit of the house rules – which unfortunately is not always how people conduct themselves 🙂


  50. Neepheid @ 20.49
    Willmacufree @ 21.08

    I accept the thrust of both your posts above.
    I still find it appalling however that the man who orchestrated the scheme to avoid PAYE/NIC on £47 million worth of payments to players and staff, can then have the gall to demand to know who made such information public and consequently the police feel it necessary to conduct an investigation.
    If the new Chief Constable of Scotland had stated on receipt that he regarded the complaint by SDM as fatuous and that he was not prepared to waste police resources on it, then it might have put an end to such coordinated press releases.


  51. i had the misfortune to listen to SSB, the other night when I was driving home, the horrifying thing is that they seem to see Sevco as the saviour of Scottish football, so by bringing them back to the SPL will save the game and bring back supporters. They have completely missed the point, and by only looking at the attendances for this year they can say they are down because of Sevco’s absence. What would be a proper investigation would be to look over a longer period, and they would likely see that since the first recession, crowds are down as people simply can’t afford a season ticket, but they won’t do that as it does not suit their agenda.


  52. Big Pink says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 22:05
    2 1 Rate This
    Lord Wobbly says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:57 (Edit)
    While I don’t necessarily disagree with the points you make, I can only say that, imho, the RTC site was at its best when it tackled ‘hecklers’ through discourse. I agree that persistent ‘offenders’ may require a different approach, but lets guard against being too hasty in deleting posts.
    _____________________________________________________________
    I take the point LW, but try wading through the debris after a troll has successfully wound everybody up.
    Deletion of posts is a judgement call often made to nip those
    situations in the bud. Whether people agree or disagree with the mods on what is being deleted, I hope the vast majority are satisfied that we do what we do in good faith.
    Mistakes have been made – and put right – on occasion, but we
    have to depend on the trust of contributors. It also helps if people post in the spirit of the house rules – which unfortunately is not always how people conduct themselves
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I’m not suggesting that moderating is easy. I don’t envy the task. Censorship can straddle a fine line, which is why many suggest that there shouldn’t be censorship.
    There have been plenty of posts on here complaining of censorship elsewhere. Should we allow it here?

    For example, if a post is deleted in error


  53. Sandaza only joined Sevco for the money! should there be any other reason, is that not what they all joined for so what’s the fuss?


  54. angus1983 : Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:48 says “Your name
    (willmacufree) reminds him of Auschwitz, which is a bit unfortunate!”

    Angus, classic, I’m still chuckling. In fact LOL. I hadn’t thought of that. My idea was that when you play word association games with your shrink, or whoever, that on his/her prompt you would immediately fire back, “The Truth”, whereas you would respond as you note above. Well, no option but to change it now! Of course I’m too polite to mention what your name reminds me of!
    () (smiler)


  55. Smartie 1947. This investigation is not news nor is it new, on the 20th November 2012 , on receipt of the FTTT result a spokesman for MIH intimated they were initiating a complaint to the relevant authorities that day regarding the leaking of so called sensitive information. So what has happened recently for it Lazarus like to come to the fore, all Strathclyde Police have done is confirm there’s an investigation. Big story all of a sudden , either as Jonnyod and I discussed earlier Jimmy Calderwood really did sh@t in the bath or there is something else lurking about that has them all manning the barricades
    I suspect that it will be carried out at glacial speed, by whoever gets the enquiry, so many potential sources to the info , and as an aside did Strathclyde Police ever confirm their had an enquiry into Craigie boys purchase of Rangers.. How’s it coming along then .not more long grass surely.


  56. Not sure what happened there.

    But if, as you suggest, mistakes have been made and corrected, are the posts reactivated? Are they added to the front of the blog or reinserted in their original place (thus losing out on viewers)?

    Don’t get me wrong, I recognise the trolling problem. But I’d rather deal with the odd troll than lose interesting posts.


  57. blackadder2 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 22:17

    In this current economic climate all clubs are struggling, that’s football, golf, bowling, tennis everybody is fighting for members. Anything that involves a yearly financial commitment. For those on SSB and in the MSM/SFA/SPL to suggest that the woes of Scottish Football will be resolved or will be much better by having Sevco in an SPL or higher SFL league are deluded. Will a fan of Hibs, Motherwell, et al fan be encouragaed to but a season ticket because Sevco will visit twice a year, I don’t think so. I have no doubt that papers are losing business because the Sevco fan is less interested in reading about the build up to Sevco V East Stirling (sorry ES) match on the Saturday.

    Is a Sevco V Celtic only league the answer ? lets throw in the Colts


  58. Angus 1983, to go back to yourself @ 21.48, I don’t feel that anybody whose tax affairs are as unorthodox as these deserves confidentiality.

    Also, I wonder when HMRC will be raising individual assessments for those cases of malpractice so far admitted. That would set wheels in motion. It’ll be interesting to see how wide and deep the influence spreads.


  59. I’m just thinking about the investigation into the information leaked regarding the Rangers Tax Case and I wonder what the response from our MSM is.
    If they back it then what does that say about them considering these are the type of sources that they should be cultivating to get stories. Who would give these people a story knowing that the journalist themselves may shop you when the going gets tough.
    Now I wouldn’t trust these guys to find a story in a Hans Christian Anderson Bumper Book of Stories but it does raise another uncomfortable question for our media.

    The MSM would end up recycling press releases from anyone to fill their column. Now they wouldn’t do that would they.


  60. neepheid says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 17:58
    11 8 i
    Rate This
    paulmac2 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 17:29
    0 0 Rate This
    Grant King (@Sprotson) says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 14:12
    will more police time be wasted in investigating “leaks”, or is it only investigated if it is to do with scotland’s establishment “team” ?
    So breaking the law should not be investigated?
    ……………………………………..
    Out of interest……what law was broken
    =======
    If an officer of HMRC leaked any information, then that is in breach of the Official Secrets Act. When I joined the Inland Revenue in 1975, I had to sign a declaration that I understood and would abide by the restrictions of the Act. I have no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who has signed such an undertaking and then broken it.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~
    I signed the very same Act when I joined the Revenue in 1974 (no doubt undergoing the same induction process) but have to recognise that – wherever the leak did come from – a valuable service for the common good has been served by the release of the information in question. We have to see that while the Act had/has laudable aims of confidentiality it may also serve to surpress material to protect the interests of a ruling elite. If this material had not become public through the RTC site then RFC would still be in the SPL and the ongoing pressure to try and get some form of justice would be undermined.

    For what it’s worth I think there are clearly several other areas where the leaks may have sprung from and to whoever they are I say ‘thank you’. I think we all should.


  61. Angus 1983, to go back to yourself @ 21.48, I don’t feel that anybody whose tax affairs are as unorthodox as these deserves confidentiality

    I’ve been screwing the tax man, investors, the banks and the great tax paying British Public and somebody has had the audacity to expose my sculduggery, “Officer arrest that man”


  62. blackadder2 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:59

    So Sevco deserve to get promoted because they have won the league, well what off Queen of the South and most likely Alloa. By the end of the season if the proposal gets through, then assuimg no clubs get liquidated, then Dundee get relegated and Partick/ Morton get promoted, and there remains 10 teams in division one. Add to that Queen of the South who won the second division, then one place would be left in the new second division. At present Alloa would be best placed to take this up as they are second in division 2. So my question would be why would Alloa not be allowed to get promoted for a fast tracked Sevco? Charlie says all teams deserve to be promoted, so who does he propose will miss out to accommodate his team. This ladies and gentlemen is why Dunfemline will be allowed to fold, to create a place in this division. Call me cynical but I would suspect the SFA/SPL/SFL will not be too bothered about Dunfemline as it provides the only out for fasttrack, much as that is extremely unpalatable.

    *************************

    Gave a TU for the post, but I’m not too sure Dunfermline folding would make it acceptable in Scottish football for Green’s team to be fast tracked. Alloa won Division Three last season, and fairly were promoted to Division Two.

    Meanwhile Rangers folded, and the team in second place in Division One moved up. There is no precedent for a two league jump. The case of Stranraer in the mid 90’s involved them going moving up from within a three league system to a four league system, as champions and as ordained prior to the season’s start. They didn’t jump two leagues, as Green and other have claimed; they went from Division Two in a three league system (the lowest level) to Division One in a four league set up. Five other sides moved from Division Two to…. new Division Two, to join five sides moved down from Division One. As an aside ICT and Ross County entered the leagues at this point.

    It’ll be interesting and entertaining if the Pars ‘fold’ and reform, entering the leagues in a reconstructed bottom 18, maybe with Hearts. Not that I wish a terrible fate on either of these clubs, but they would provide fascinating opposition for Green’s side as it attempts to climb out of the bottom tier.

    For avoidance of doubt, I wish no ill fate on the East End Park or Tynecastle clubs, and also don’t want to see leagues reconstructed during the season. When we start out, we should know the prizes.

    Finally, I don’t agree Alloa are best placed to be promoted to a second twelve. Brechin have 5 games in hand and are only 7 points behind Alloa: in any case, play-offs are scheduled, and realistically seven sides in Division Two could have a chance of promotion.


  63. Regarding a previous post, I would add that there is no humour in the awful deeds perpetrated in the death camps, only in the association of related words as they are now used.


  64. yourhavingalaugh says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 22:02

    …”the day will come when the truth will be laid bare and heaven wont be able to help these pundits from the wrath and deserved ridicule that will follow ,question for you Shug and your stringy pals where do you see yourselves at the start of next season, I don’t think Charles has enough positions for all of you,good luck in your next career move”.
    ======================================================

    The truth has already been laid bare by RTC and others, but is of no interest to those who don’t want to know the truth.

    Andy Walker tonight claimed the worst mistake the SPL clubs made was voting Rangers out of the SPL.

    Walker is either ignorant of the facts, or willfully bending the truth.

    In either event he is not fit for purpose.

    He repeated his remarks and was not contradicted by Gordon Dalziel, understandably as he doesn’t appear to be the brightest, or by Jim Delahvnt who should know better.


  65. In his defence, Andy Walker has frequently mentioned that TRFC are a new club


  66. blackadder2 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 22:17

    i had the misfortune to listen to SSB, the other night when I was driving home, the horrifying thing is that they seem to see Sevco as the saviour of Scottish football, so by bringing them back to the SPL will save the game and bring back supporters. They have completely missed the point, and by only looking at the attendances for this year they can say they are down because of Sevco’s absence. What would be a proper investigation would be to look over a longer period, and they would likely see that since the first recession, crowds are down as people simply can’t afford a season ticket, but they won’t do that as it does not suit their agenda.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    I have a friend who listened to tonights SSB and he remarked on the comments being made by the pundits. As you say, and as my friend says, they are getting a bit desperate pushing the “Rangers must be promoted for the good of Scottish football line”. They are quite blatantly calling for a a rule of some sort to be made up to get them to the second tier next season and the stated reason is for financial stability and to hell with clubs who have a sporting reason to be elevated. I’m not sure the club with the worst financial record in Scottish Football are the ones to provide the desired stability.

    Of course the real reason for their pleadings is that they have been briefed along the lines that Rangers won’t survive another year in Div 2 or 3 because they need to be in a higher league to justify a significant hike in ticket prices given the cost base they are carrying. The egg timer is running out of Sand(aza).


  67. Carl31 (@C4rl31) says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 23:40

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/20/doctor-sports-drugs-case
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Hmm – Am I right in saying taking drugs to enhance sporting performance is cheating?

    I always thought the Oldco teams of the past were always physically stronger than the other full time teams they played against. Once that cheating gets into the bloodstream it’s hard to get rid of.


  68. scottc says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:33
    8 2 Rate This
    myohmy1 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:29
    With regard to the clear bias shown to ‘the establishment club’ by SSB,everyone on this forum should make a point of contacting OFCOM citing that this radio station breaches the Broadcasting Code section dealing with Impartiality and Accuracy
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Most of the country does hear SSB and the section of the
    Broadcasting Code you refer to applies to news. SSB, from what I can gather, is a talk show
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I have NEVER heard SSB. And I live in the central belt. In Scotland’s capital in fact. Is that just my geographical good fortune? Or is my use of the radio tuner simply more discerning?
    Seriously, I have not heard SSB. Not once. Not ever.


  69. As something of an aside to the SSB debate.

    They also have a Clyde 1 Superscoreboard Facebook page which encourages comment on a topic framed by the radio show on a daily basis. This prompting of discussion has been omitted, sometimes for days at a time as SSB often have a minor war on their hands.

    There are commenters who seem to continually post bile, racist remarks, sectarian outbursts and personal insults aimed at individuals who would argue against them. Most (though not all) of this bolleaux is contributed to the forum by fans of a blue persuasion.

    SSB mods seem to be slow to remove these types of comments. However, the same mods seem to be expedient in removing comments from those who would complain. Often the complainer finds him/herself barred from the SSBFB page. This imbalance seems to find a significantly higher proportion of “green” posters barred. So much so that there have been one or two FB pages set up (quite successfully) in direct competition to the SSBFB page.

    The upshot here is that the SSB page paints a distinctly blue tinge on events as more and more green fans get barred and others leave in support of them.

    Funnily enough. There is DEFINITIVE proof of senior individuals from SSB and Radio Clydes other programmes attempting to secure invitations to the alternative pages which are “closed”. They also endeavour to engage members of these alternative pages via Twitter, without invitation to do so.
    It would seem that not only are their noses bothering them, but they are slightly out of joint.

    The alternative pages now serve as a sounding off facility against the nonsense spouted on SSB and can be entertaining as well as informative.


  70. Lord Wobbly says:
    Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 01:22
    4 0 Rate This
    scottc says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:33
    8 2 Rate This
    myohmy1 says:
    Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 21:29
    With regard to the clear bias shown to ‘the establishment club’ by SSB,everyone on this forum should make a point of contacting OFCOM citing that this radio station breaches the Broadcasting Code section dealing with Impartiality and Accuracy
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Most of the country does hear SSB and the section of the
    Broadcasting Code you refer to applies to news. SSB, from what I can gather, is a talk show
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I have NEVER heard SSB. And I live in the central belt. In Scotland’s capital in fact. Is that just my geographical good fortune? Or is my use of the radio tuner simply more discerning?
    Seriously, I have not heard SSB. Not once. Not ever.
    ———

    They have a podcast M’Lud. Last night’s was as bogsdollox’ friend described it above. Dalziel mouths the exact same mantra every show. Yesterday though, his desperation reached new heights. I began to wonder if he was being paid to play a certain role, as in a fictional series: “Scottish football will die if Rangers continue in the lower leagues.” He didn’t use the term Armageddon, but it was implied. Some of the callers are also very helpfully ‘on message’. This is a serious propaganda campaign, thank goodness they still let the odd dissenting voice on.

    Regarding Sandaza, I did not like him being pranked in this way. He’s young, living in a foreign country as an immigrant, and trying to make a living for himself and his family. I feel Tommy could have chosen a better subject. Sandaza is hardly to blame for any of this and hardly to be put down for choosing a club willing to double or treble his pay. Picking on a vulnerable foreigner like him was not one of Tommy’s finer moments. And the irony of Tommy picking on someone who is essentially a young Catholic immigrant, and possibly landing him in trouble with his club, will not have been lost on those looking to discredit the otherwise successful bampot.


  71. Danish Pastry says:
    Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 06:00
    Lord Wobbly says:
    Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 01:22
    I have NEVER heard SSB. And I live in the central belt. In Scotland’s capital in fact. Is that just my geographical good fortune? Or is my use of the radio tuner simply more discerning?
    Seriously, I have not heard SSB. Not once. Not ever.
    ———
    They have a podcast M’Lud
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    That seems to require something called iTunes which, I’m happy to report, is not available to me via my Nokia 08. And I have no other means of accessing the world wide web.

Comments are closed.