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.
Long Time Lurker says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 14:04
I listened with interest to Sportsound extra on Saturday afternoon. I have been thinking about the changing of the guard at the BBC – how it appears that we have shifted from Jim Traynor and the exploration of the circus of Scottish football discussion focusing on RFC and Celtic taking centre stage and now we are moving towards a more in-depth analysis of events and what these mean for the game.
In terms agenda setting, financial fair play in (Scottish) football now appears to be taking more of a centre stage. To my mind Stewart Cosgrove over the last 9 months or so has been playing a blinder in maintaining and shifting the direction of debate. He started with a thoughtful and passionate exploration of the issues surrounding the game, firstly focusing on sporting integrity – and now I get the sense that he is changing the debate towards clubs reaching a natural level of competition be living within their means.
I am wondering if we beginning to reach the end game, where financial fair play in the form of clubs competing within their means will dictate who survives and who falls by the way side.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I’m glad you raised this as I had been thinking that what got Stewart Cosgrove going on Saturday was the idiocy (as I think he and I see it) put forward by ostensibly sensible men of trying to shoe horn a club with a failed business model with a cost base Stewart described as “a disgrace” into a set up that has almost been brought to its knees by too many of its members pursuing the same cost model.
Insanity more than idiocy covers it. (Of course these same advocates have a self interest in promoting the idiocy and it is time that this was publically aknowledged by the media who give them a platform.)
In June 2011 I wrote at
http://celticunderground.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=693:sfa-reform-one-down-three-to-go&catid=45:season-2010-2011&Itemid=80
that club licensing not only needed to be applied but strenghtened and I see little sign that the SFA are prepared to do the necessary to bring our game into financial order using their licensing powers. Indeed I am suspicious about the changes to National Club Licensing rules since last season
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/ClubLicensing/Part2:National/Part2Sect8_Legal,Admin,FinanceandCodesofPractice%20Criteria.pdf (8.11 and 8.12 –
Exceptional dispensation may be granted)
that the SFA have built in a loop hole to allow The Rangers NOT to submit the honest kind of financial information that would allow the SFA to withold a licence or make it conditional on The Rangers reducing their cost base to safeguard not only The Rangers but all the clubs due to play them.
To be fair to the SFA they have been put in a difficult position themselves by the clubs who have almost without exception (Celtic changing course in 2004) acted with financial foolishness and had the SFA acted properly there would have been few clubs getting a licence. However as you say we are now experiencing the consequences of the folly and if most clubs start acting sensibly the SFA can then put pressure on the few who do not.
Having said that the time to put that pressure on is now and the club to put the pressure on (for their own support’s good as well as others’) is The Rangers.
From 8.12 ” Clubs are required to provide a summary of financial information drawn from the Audited Accounts submitted at 8.1.1.”
I hope Stewart continues to make his point about the disgrace not only of the Rangers cost base but the attempts to mould the rest of our game to fit that model.
Rangers in terms of the club in liquidation because of their business model have died and they will never return in that form. That reality is beginning to dawn but we need football men of vision to tell Scottish football how it is and stop those pursuing their own self interest from attempting to revive a corpse and by corpse I mean the business model that died along with the club who pursued it most avidly.
#dejablue Tradesmen being advised to stop working at Ibrox as there is no money to pay what’s already due, nevermind for additional work.
From Cartuja on Twitter
ps love the hashtag
#dejablue
STV sports bulletin, the Scottish football equivalent of Lord Haw Haw on all matters Rangers / Sevco, have just “reported” during their 6-o’-clock programme and I quote:
“the SPL then refused to allow the oldco Rangers to transfer their share in the league to the newco. The top flights governing body also played a key role in offering Rangers an accelerated route back to Scotlands’ second tier in exchange for five titles, which the club turned down.”
Transferring the SPL share was not within Rangers gift, but no mention of that.
The SPL have already refuted and explained in depth the “reported” offer in exchange for any titles, but not a mention of that.
Appalling broadcasting. Nonsense delivered to a mass audience as fact. Utterly appalling.
As I recall, the main aim of this blog was to call shite like this to account.
Auldheid@Auldheid2m
@JimDelahunt Reason SPL are billing The Rangers is it was Rangers who were found guilty of not supplying all papers causing need for enquiry
Auldheid@Auldheid1m
@JimDelahunt Presumably SPL think they have better chance of being paid by theclub who say they are same club as the 1 who were found guilty
Auldheid (@Auldheid) says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 18:47
0 0 Rate This
Auldheid@Auldheid2m
@JimDelahunt Reason SPL are billing The Rangers is it was Rangers who were found guilty of not supplying all papers causing need for enquiry
Auldheid@Auldheid1m
@JimDelahunt Presumably SPL think they have better chance of being paid by theclub who say they are same club as the 1 who were found guilty
==========
SPL better get their WUP ready if what is being said about workmen not being paid for work done at mordor
Which book will be the most revealing?
Doncaster? (DOUBT IT!)
Green? naw, too much of a tit!
Regan? I suspect his will be the most interesting, nail bombs, referee strikes, death threats, inquiries, 5 way fudges…..when he took the job, I bet he never thought for a second what Scottish football would throw up in his face!
pity we will have to wait a generation to read it.
greenockjack says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 15:25
I maybe didn’t explain the point well either. What I was trying to say was should Sevco be given a shift up a league, a punty up if there was some acceptance of the points I made.
Judging by the response it would seem that any forgiveness or olive branch that may have existed has long gone, the LNS & FTTC outcomes, talk of reconstruction, Mr Green’s ranting’s, WATP attitude would seem to have killed that.
So Sally says that is ragers 55th title win
Thank goodness he’s cleared that up for us ,there was me fretting that ragers had ceased to exist .
If sevco 2012 are ragers 1872 then I’m Claudia Shiffer and as I’m a bloke and with my looks the tide wouldn’t take me out .I think we can safely say Sally’s one steak bake short of a picnic
did anyone else hear speirs defending McCurrys performance against Dundee U
(when Levine said they shouldnt bother turning up when Rangers needed the points)on bbc radio a few mins ago
apparently it was because he did not have goal line technology available to him
what about all the other strange decisions in the match ?
hes either blind and stupid ,as he admitted he was there and spoke to McCurry after it
or he is at it
So, according to STV News, TRFC/Sevco were unavailable for comment (now there’s a change!) regarding the SPL pursuit of monies owed for the LNS enquiry.
Clearly Green has been ‘snookered’ on this Oldco v Newco issue – as the ‘deafening sound of silence’ from Ibrox clearly shows – and needs to ‘play for time’ before responding.
That will be most interesting!
RANGERS Football Club has released the folllowing statement in relation to costs for the recent SPL Commiission:
“This matter has been dragged out long enough and we had thought Lord Nimmo Smith’s verdict would have been an end to it. Attempting to stretch it out even further does nothing to help the image of a game torn by dissension and engulfed in turmoil.
‘It is important to remember that Lord Nimmo Smith apportioned no blame against Rangers FC and thus no sanctions were imposed on this Club. It is inconceivable, therefore, as well as ridiculous that the SPL should even think about pursuing this Club for costs against what was widely regarded as an ill-conceived and unwise course of action by them in the first place.”
this club
mentioned twice 🙂
as opposed to the other club 🙂
liveinhop says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 18:39
#dejablue Tradesmen being advised to stop working at Ibrox as there is no money to pay what’s already due, nevermind for additional work.
From Cartuja on Twitter…
=======================
Was going to ask a while ago: do any TRFC suppliers provide credit terms to the Govan club ?
You would think in the current climate – and due to a ‘previous club’s’ payment history – that any supplier would insist on cash up front ?
No sympathy this time if anyone is left out of pocket by TRFC.
Andy says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:19
I thought they were found guilty of not delivering full payment details and had they done so there would have been no prima facie case for LNS to look at that cost the SPL.?
Is there no concept of admission of wrongdoing?
They are getting cauht out by the oldco/newco fandango. Oldco escape civil debt but newco liable for football related debt.
No sympathy.
Neil Murray has left the holding company of the company that owns the assets of the old company
Can anyone shed any light on this.. Thanks
http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/rfc-2012-plc
All kicking off now…
Peter A Smith @PeterAdamSmith 1m
Neil Murray has left Rangers FC. More to follow…
liveinhop says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 18:39
11 2 Rate This
#dejablue Tradesmen being advised to stop working at Ibrox as there is no money to pay what’s already due, nevermind for additional work.
From Cartuja on Twitter
ps love the hashtag
#dejablue
———–
An unsubstantiated twitter rumour? What tradesmen? You can write any nonsense on twitter, I often do. More meat on the bone needed on this one methinks.
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:54
Neil Murray has left the holding company of the company that owns the assets of the old company
========
Haven’t read any details yet, but would expect that he had negotiated a decent pay-off – with an obligatory gagging order included ?
Peter A Smith
@PeterAdamSmith
STV has learned Rangers’ chief scout Neil Murray has left the club after reaching an agreement with his former employers.
pau1888 says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:54
1 0 Rate This
Can anyone shed any light on this.. Thanks
http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/rfc-2012-plc
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They used to be a football club but got into serious debt, fell into administration and then liquidation. Does that help? 🙂
bit more meat on the cartujakds tweat – still not really verifiable
a rangers supporting joiner, who has been working at ibrox for weeks and is owed 17k by the company ( that owns the company that bought the assets of the old rangers) was told by the stadium manager (who was recently himself laid off) to down tools and do no more work as there was nothing there to pay him
now, to me, this has all the makings of an urban legend, as the poster who told cartuja heard it from a mate who met the “rangers supporting joiner” involved
that it stresses the joiner is a rangers supporter leads us to believe he is one of the “peepil” so would be unlikely to make it up
personally, i’d file it under “unlikely”
bbcradioscotland – digital – earlier at back of six, had a brief docu of hertz/mad vlad and what next.
whoever the “reporter”was, had been to lithuania to interview people about fc kaunas”.
mad vlad was getting pelters and the bbc reporter boldly stated that “kaunas, no longer exist”.
compare the treatment of
mad vlad/Kaunas [slated and statement about Kaunas’ not existing…]
———— v ———–
SDM/Rangers2012 [succulent mutton and obfuscation about SEVCO/The rangers]
ironically in todays TSFM posts, we have had a twitter repost from rangers2012 lawyers, in relation to the LNS “enquiery”,stating that rangers no longer exist,
then a sevco statement saying the same, because there is £500k at stake.
p.s, does anybody know
[does the £500k include the £250k fine, as a football debt?]
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 20:10
0 0 Rate This
Peter A Smith
@PeterAdamSmith
STV has learned Rangers’ chief scout Neil Murray has left the club after reaching an agreement with his former employers.
====
This may save money in the long run, but will involve a very big pay-off right now. And the money is running out fast. Of course Duff & Duffer have a lot to answer for here, this sort of employee would normally have been ditched as soon as the old company went into administration.
Which highlights the very special (not to say unique) administration process in this very special case- overseen by Lord Hodge at every stage, let’s not forget.
p.s, does anybody know
[does the £500k include the £250k fine, as a football debt?]
no it doesn’t – the 250k was specifically against Oldco
the 500k is against the “club” called Rangers…..so we’ll soon find out if it is indeed the same club or if The rangers is infact a different club
NTHM
thanks for that, but
my view would be that the £250k fine, should be classed as a “football debt” for oldco, but because of the secret 5way agreement which “allowed” for sevco to gain entry on the basis they pay all the fooball debts…then sevco should pay the £250k also
just my “opinion”
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 20:27
…
the 500k is against the “club” called Rangers…..so we’ll soon find out if it is indeed the same club or if The rangers is infact a different club
====================================
Fingers crossed that Charlie doesn’t pay – and it all ends up in a civil court.
That court case would be hilarious…
Judge: “…now are we talking about the new Rangers or the old Rangers, or the same Rangers ? I am getting very confused…” 🙂
Andy says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:19
“This matter has been dragged out long enough and we had thought Lord Nimmo Smith’s verdict would have been an end to it. Attempting to stretch it out even further does nothing to help the image of a game torn by dissension and engulfed in turmoil.”
————————————–
Well, Charles, should you be serious about bringing the matter to an end and not dragging it out, just PAY UP!
The club you claim to be was found guilty of all charges, whichever way you like to dress it up, and what’s more, you were heavily involved with Duff and Phelps during the administration period when the required papers were being withheld, contributing to this delay you refer to, and, apparently, acting on behalf of Rangers FC plc when it suited your purposes. The enquiry was a part of Rangers FC’s history anyway, and I thought you’d bought it 🙂
Regardless of the new club/old club, newco/oldco argument, we are led to believe you agreed to accept all football debts of old club/oldco, or whatever, when gaining access to the Scottish League ahead of more qualified clubs. I think you’ll find this is a football debt and if you’d been half as smart as you think you are, you’d have factored it into your budget 🙂
Another, more positive way to look at it could be; that all these football debts you are having to settle might just tip the balance in your favour should BDO be thinking of pursuing you for gratuitous alienation! Gee whiz, that’s another get out of jail free card you’ve been dealt.
Have SPL, intentionally or otherwise, called CGs bluff on oldco/newco?
They were found guilty of rule breaking that they could easily have admitted without an enquiry but they insisted no rules broken but cost SPL the 250k.
Why when they are found guilty of lesser charges do they insist on being innocent of all charges?
The irony of it all.
This half million could cause Charles and his club a lot more bother than the loss of the 5 titles he was so desperate to preserve. Maybe, just maybe, the SPL were actually quite scunnered by the LNS ruling and felt that some meaningful consequence had to be endured by ‘the club’. Or perhaps they’re just letting Green know that they’ve given his club an unprecedented level of help, broken or ignored rules to the detriment of other clubs, ignored the insults, slanders and threats emanating from Ibrox, and now it’s time to pay up.
The old ones are the best, and one I tell often is the one about the guy being told over the phone by his cold hearted brother, that his cat and mother were both dead.
In light of the recent stories about finances, it sounds as if “ the TRFC are on the roof “ again.
Andy says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:12
did anyone else hear speirs defending McCurrys performance against Dundee U
(when Levine said they shouldnt bother turning up when Rangers needed the points)on bbc radio a few mins ago
apparently it was because he did not have goal line technology available to him
what about all the other strange decisions in the match ? hes either blind and stupid ,as he admitted he was there and spoke to McCurry after it or he is at it
======================================================
I thought the main thing in that game was the criminal assaults on Dundee U players that Rangers players were allowed to get away with. (And I’m not being ironic/sarcastic – criminal assaults).
…The newco agreed as part of a five-way agreement with the oldco, SPL, Scottish Football League and Scottish FA that it would pay all outstanding debt to clubs from transfers undertaken by the oldco. STV understands there was no provision in the agreement for any other football debt to be honoured by the newco…
from STV
hmmm – now it is…
they only agreed to pay all OUTSTANDING.[footballing] debt
jimlarkin says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 22:21
——————————————
Well the contradicts Rangers recent statement that they did not sign the 5 way agreement… thus, no agreement.
How difficult is it to find one, just one single journo in Scotland willing to ask about this 5 way agreement and get the facts behind it.
Just one?
neepheid says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 20:23
19 0 i Rate This
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 20:10
0 0 Rate This
Peter A Smith
@PeterAdamSmith
STV has learned Rangers’ chief scout Neil Murray has left the club after reaching an agreement with his former employers.
====
This may save money in the long run, but will involve a very big pay-off right now. And the money is running out fast. Of course Duff & Duffer have a lot to answer for here, this sort of employee would normally have been ditched as soon as the old company went into administration.
Which highlights the very special (not to say unique) administration process in this very special case- overseen by Lord Hodge at every stage, let’s not forget.
—————————————————————————————————————
Would Craig Mather be doing his old pal CG a favour through his sports management company by chance?
Evening all,
some thoughts on matters current.
The 33rd President of the United States and his lesson for Scottish Football.
http://wp.me/p1G95H-N1
Strange quote from Charlie to STV, [assuming he has been correctly quoted of course];
“…Rangers chief executive Charles Green said: “We need to start running a tighter ship because we know we won’t be in the top division next season…”
http://sport.stv.tv/football/219860-rangers-chief-scout-neil-murray-has-left-the-club-after-an-investigation/
Jimlarkin says…
I wonder though if the term “outstanding” might cause some difficulties.
On the one hand it would appear it’s use is designed to reflect debts already known about but unpaid, however there is another definition that implies a very big debt or maybe some kind of debt that was very well put together or amassed..”.Outstanding level of debt there! Well done, Mr Murray” ! Or “Outstanding, costing your club half a mil to avoid some not really very expensive punishments! Well done, Mr Green!”
Isn’t that a reasonable interpretation?
Lots of doubt for some legal eagles to ponder?
Its maybe about time that the SFA had some better lawyers to draw up rules and agreements as the ones they have haven’t left much not open to doubt.
Anyone want to hire me as a consultant?
Captain Haddock says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 22:51
I agree that if the debt is a footballing debt then it falls against the new club.
However you, along with any normal person, would assume that the blazers will pursue such a debt. I personally won’t hold my breath waiting on the SPL/SFA doing anytihng that hurts their valued pet project.
It could very well be that the mythical five way agreement stated that it pertained to ‘outstanding debt at the time of signing’.
Now who would benefit from a clause like that……………………………………………
Answers on a postcard.
Andy says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:19
‘It is important to remember that Lord Nimmo Smith apportioned no blame against Rangers FC and thus no sanctions were imposed on this Club.
===========================================================================
Is that a fact?
And here’s me thinking they were fined £250,000 by Nimmo-Smith!
Given the history of CGs’ comments, can we assume that “we wont be in the top league” means we will be playing in the bottom league. And i thought he didn’t want in the top league, accchhhh he’s naw playin anymore, I will definitely miss him.
M8Dreamer,
The Scottish Football supporters have now been subjected to 14months of media myths of how Scottish Football is unable to survive without “The Rangers”.
As a long suffering Hibs supporter, Hibs were only guaranteed 1 No Home game against Rangers (IL), unless they managed to finish in the top six of the SPL, where we were then subjected to 2 No home games against Rangers (IL), assuming that the SPL split would not send Hibs to Ibrox for 3 No away games in a season.
As the away end at Easter Road holds approx 3300 supporters, If Hibs finished in the bottom six,
and only had 1 No home game against Rangers (IL), they would require an average of 173 additional supporters at each home game, to compensate for the loss of 3300 away supporters.
This would increase to 346 additional supporters at each home game, to compensate for the loss of 6600 away supporters.
These figures assume that which ever team replaces Rangers (IL) within the SPL, brings absolutely no away supporters to Easter Road, which is extremely unlikely.
The absence of “The Rangers” in the SPL also brings many advantages to Scottish Football.
* No supporters of “The Rangers” in your football ground.
* No singing of “Banned Songs” from “The Rangers” supporters.
* No singing of the “British” National anthem from “The Rangers” supporters.
* No waving of the “British” Flag from “The Rangers” supporters.
* Possibility of another home game being played on a Saturday at 3PM.
* Lower Police Costs
* Lower Security Costs
* Less intimidation of Match Day Officials from “The Rangers” supporters.
Any reduction in TV Income is a small price to pay for the many advantages of “The Rangers”
not being in the SPL.
The ASA findings might just be the FBI v Al Capone moment for Sevco. What’s the old saying about skinning a cat ?
I wonder if the SFA/SPL are worried about being shown up by the ASA’s findings hence the bill for the LNS stuff. Maybe they’re hoping that Mr Charles admits that they’re a new club prior to the ASA’s findings.
It is interesting that Sally in the Evening Ranger now thinks that Scotlands poor showing is down to Sevco not being in the top flight. He also now claims that they should be given a leg up for the benefit of Scottish Football.
StevieBC says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 22:45
3 0 Rate This
Strange quote from Charlie to STV, [assuming he has been correctly quoted of course];
“…Rangers chief executive Charles Green said: “We need to start running a tighter ship because we know we won’t be in the top division next season…”
http://sport.stv.tv/football/219860-rangers-chief-scout-neil-murray-has-left-the-club-after-an-investigation/
———
Surely he’s not been banking all along on ‘desperate’ clubs begging The Rangers to join the top flight?
Meanwhile under the radar……Gavin Berry of the Daily Record decides that Rangers not signing an Irishman is not for the lack of trying.
“But it’s not always been as easy trying to persuade players from the Emerald Isle to make the switch to Rangers – though not for the lack of trying on the part of the Ibrox club”
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/gavin-berry-column-rangers-well-1797523
Brogan,Rogan,Trevino and Hogan
another excellent post and your analogy is spot on.
There’s a bill for £500k to paid & there’s a debate about SPL2 and inviting T’Gers. What price 12-12-18 goes through comfortably now and the bill is sent to Oldco?
Something tells me that Mr Alexander will be the next person to leave The Rangers…
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-alexander-rangers-me-truth-1806133
“I’ve not done any interviews with the Press since just before Christmas. The club told me I couldn’t speak to anyone because of my contractual situation and I accepted that.
“But since then there has been a steady stream of misinformation about my situation appearing in various newspapers. As a result the Rangers fans have been given a false picture of what has been going on.
“I’ve said nothing which has been hard because I know the fans are frustrated with me. I know that because every week, home and away, I hear them shouting: ‘Just sign you greedy b******!’
“That really does hurt me because it’s never been about the money for me. I gave up a six-figure sum to help the club through administration and I’ll never see that money again. Even now I want to take a pay cut to stay. I understand why fans think that because of what has been written. But now I need them all to know the truth.
“I’ve had to bite my tongue and carry on but the final straw was this morning, when I picked up a national newspaper and read quotes from myself talking about leaving Rangers – when I have not even spoken to anyone from that paper.
“It’s very strange as the only interviews I have done since December have been with the club’s official media outlets. I can’t understand why these quotes have appeared and I have asked my agent to investigate.
“But I also feel I have been left with no choice other than to speak up and put the record straight. I have to defend myself. If this is the end for me at Rangers then I don’t want to leave with the fans thinking badly of me.
“I feel privileged and honoured to be playing for this club and I think I’ve done a good job. It’s been a dream come true for me to become the Rangers No.1 and I still dearly hope I can stay here for the rest of my career. That doesn’t look like it’s going to happen now.
“But what I can’t have is people being given the wrong idea and thinking badly of me as a person. It’s important to me the fans know the truth so that, if I am leaving them, then at least I’m leaving with my head held high.”
Alexander believes the arrival of a new keeper in September has more or less sealed his fate but insists he’d gladly battle it out with Bell.
He said: “Yes, I would find it difficult sitting on the bench in the lower tiers of Scottish football. And, yes, there is a chance that could happen. But at the same time you have to believe in your own ability. Maybe, though, the writing is on the wall now Cammy is coming.”
The msm printing porkies attributed to one of the family,well Neil wake up and have a big smell of the coffee ,thats the kind of people you work for ,everythng about the club is transparent as long as you dont get to see or question it,do you think they give a toss about how much wonga you have given up ,more fool you.
nowoldandgrumpy says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 00:02
It is interesting that Sally in the Evening Ranger now thinks that Scotlands poor showing is down to Sevco not being in the top flight. He also now claims that they should be given a leg up for the benefit of Scottish Football.
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Following the McCoist school of logic, Rangers not being in the top division seems to have had such an impact, it even works retrospectively. Who would have thought watching the shower that shamed Scotland in the 1978 Argentina world cup, and at various times since, that they were doing their best, but were being hampered by Rangers being in division 3 in the current season?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sfa-help-set-new-deadline-1806159?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
THE league reconstruction bid took a dramatic turn yesterday when the SFA stepped in to set up a special Hampden meeting – and helped ensure a vote will take place this month.
The SPL were always due to have a show of hands on April 15 but now, for the first time, the SFL have agreed to give a definitive on the 12-12-18 proposal just four days later.
The meeting lasted more than two hours and was attended by all of the SFL management committee, the SPL’s reconstruction group and SFA chief executive Stewart Regan’s professional game board that will decide whether to bring in the revamp in time for next season.
At one point Record Sport understands Neil Doncaster was even asked to prove the SPL’s television contract with Sky and ESPN was watertight and not in danger of collapse because of declining viewer figures.
He produced the contract, which still has four years left to run, and rubbished the scare stories.
The summit was called after Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie asked the SFA to step in and clear up what had become a mess.
Ritchie had worries over last week’s fragmented meeting of all the SFL clubs that revealed a less than unanimous backing for the 12-12-18 proposal and raised the threat of outfits breaking away to form SPL2.
But if the main concern was the SPL might not have the money to fulfil all their promises over a fairer distribution of wealth, chief executive Doncaster was able to put those concerns to bed.
He said: “The SFL clubs wanted greater clarity and they got it.
“It was a very positive meeting and we remain on track to achieve the aims we outlined on January 8 with regard to the merger of the SPL and the SFL as well as the 12-12-18 set-up to begin next season.
“This meeting wasn’t about concerns that time’s marching on without anything having been voted on.
“There were questions being asked about finance and we answered them.
“There have been scare stories that TV could walk away from our game and we’ve demonstrated that simply isn’t the case.
“But I accept there’s a difference between agreeing in principle to merger and a form of reconstruction in January and a vote to deliver both of those things.
“That’s why it’s important we now know the SPL will vote on April 15 and the SFL will vote no later than April 19.”
Doncaster also hit back at claims the SFA could be asked to help bring about a deal by requesting the SPL and the SFL suspend their rule books and let the governing body sort it out.
He said: “Leagues look after leagues and the SFA can’t interfere with that process.”
The SPL Demands Rangers Pay Costs of Nimmo Smith Commission – Or Does It?
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/the-spl-demands-rangers-pay-costs-of-nimmo-smith-commission-or-does-it/
Re Alexander’s situation I repost an extract from the Sheffield United fans warnings:-
— During Green’s reign as Chief Executive, several long-standing members of staff left Bramall Lane; including the club physio, kit man and several backroom staff. This built on rumours questioning who was managing these key team roles; Spackman or Green.
Departing players talked of increased director involvement and team unrest as players were being “treated as pawns”.
It looks like Alexander is being pushed out the door but I thought McCoist wanted Alexander to stay even if Bell signed
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-boss-ally-mccoist-keen-1706528
McCoist would welcome a deal and told RangersTV: “We are interested in Cammy Bell.
“We would like to keep Neil (Alexander) as well because I want to have two strong goalkeepers and then it would give me the opportunity to send Scott Gallacher out on loan.”
It looks like Green is now fully in charge of team selection and Ally ain’t gonna get a sniff at the £10m war chest 🙂
So ,SFA action brings about meetings at Hampden to try and get reconstruction back on track.
Thumbs up if you think 12 12 18 will be in place next season.
Thumbs down if you don’t
At present let us ignore SPL 2 option as that debate will follow the April voting.
In a statement released on the club’s official website it was confirmed Murray will act as a consultant for Rangers, with the former chief scout adding: “I am happy with the decision made and have no desire to add to the speculation and sensationalism which has surfaced in the media.”
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Interesting
in the world of terminating executives this generally means
The employee has been told he is being summarily dismissed without payment in full under his contract of employment. He has threatened legal action but realises this could be expensive and time consuming.Compromise negotiations take place despite the obvious bullying
The employer has hinted at future payments for finding talent that (pro rata to salary) look extremely generous. However, the size of each payment will be at the sole discretion of the employer. As a sop the emplyer will calculate the payment based on agreed criteria unenforceable at law
i.e.
It s most unlikely to be a legal contract
In exchange for a “consultancy arrangement” the employee has traded a lesser compensation figure than he is entitled to under his contract of employment
He has also agreed to keep confidential all matters relating to his period of employment with TRFC. He has agreed to make a public statement written by TRFC in which he declares his intention to say nothing to the media.This demand for a public statement lis intended to reduce his credibility if he ever does speak out later
,,,,,,
Whats interesting is that this sort of haggling is taking place with a relatively junior employee
One wonders to what lengths Ally might have to go to get a decent settlement with the Spivs
Auldheid (@Auldheid) says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 09:15
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http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sfa-help-set-new-deadline-1806159?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
THE league reconstruction bid took a dramatic turn yesterday when the SFA stepped in to set up a special Hampden meeting – and helped ensure a vote will take place this month.
The SPL were always due to have a show of hands on April 15 but now, for the first time, the SFL have agreed to give a definitive on the 12-12-18 proposal just four days later.
The meeting lasted more than two hours and was attended by all of the SFL management committee, the SPL’s reconstruction group and SFA chief executive Stewart Regan’s professional game board that will decide whether to bring in the revamp in time for next season.
At one point Record Sport understands Neil Doncaster was even asked to prove the SPL’s television contract with Sky and ESPN was watertight and not in danger of collapse because of declining viewer figures.
He produced the contract, which still has four years left to run, and rubbished the scare stories.
================================================
The remaining 4 years of the television contract is watertight – as long as the SPL can deliver on their side of the bargain.
As well as their own club’s matches, the SPL have contracted with Sky & ESPN (now BT Vision) to allow coverage (I think for 5 games for each of the TV providers) involving the new club each season.
For the 2012/13 season, the SPL paid the SFL £1m for the entirety of their TV rights. There is no such agreement between the SPL and the SFL for any of the next 4 seasons.
If the SPL cannot deliver the Sevco Rangers matches they will be in breach of contract with both Sky and ESPN/BT.
Without a unified league (or an “invitational” SPL2), the SPL will be forced to buy the SFL TV rights for next season – at whatever price the SFL thinks is appropriate.
Who’s to say the SFL won’t ask for £2m or £3m for the TV rights next season? If it is the only way to keep the 5-year TV deal alive, the SPL would simply have to pay.
HP, if there is only one body before the SFL TV renewal, then is what is on the table a reflection of the renewal?
It is intriguing that Messrs Doncaster and Reagan would appear to desperately want this reconstruction to go ahead for next season, whilst Mr Longmuir seems equally determined to prevent it happening (now).
Is this not the very thing which causes a lot of the bother, too many different ruling bodies with their own agenda. One would have thought that the three of them could come up with a unified take on the matter. What is good for everyone, what is in the best interests of Scottish football as a whole and not just individual people, individual clubs or individual leagues.
Personally I think it is clear that Scottish football needs a change, and the first an most important on is a reconstruction of the games administration. That to me is just as important as reconstruction of the league structures. I am reminded of the old question – What is a camel? It’s a horse designed by a committee.
If the SFA, SPL and SFL are determined to restructure Scottish football, and improve the game for everyone involved they might want to look closer to home before they consider how the leagues setup needs changed.
monsieurbunny says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 22:14
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Andy says:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 19:12
did anyone else hear speirs defending McCurrys performance against Dundee U
(when Levine said they shouldnt bother turning up when Rangers needed the points)on bbc radio a few mins ago
apparently it was because he did not have goal line technology available to him
what about all the other strange decisions in the match ? hes either blind and stupid ,as he admitted he was there and spoke to McCurry after it or he is at it
======================================================
I thought the main thing in that game was the criminal assaults on Dundee U players that Rangers players were allowed to get away with. (And I’m not being ironic/sarcastic – criminal assaults).
—————————————————————————————
Cousin headbutted Wilkie. No action.
Broadfoot forearm smashed a Utd player in the face. No action.
United goal disallowed for offside when clearly onside
United denied a penalty when Davie Weir hauled down Hunt as last man in the penalty area
Weir not sent off
Yeah goal-line technology would’ve prevented all of that.
………More succulent lamb sir?
nowoldandgrumpy says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 00:02
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It is interesting that Sally in the Evening Ranger now thinks that Scotlands poor showing is down to Sevco not being in the top flight. He also now claims that they should be given a leg up for the benefit of Scottish Football.
————————————————————————
The Sevco players who were previously involved with Scotland – McGregor, Naismith, Whittaker etc are still involved so once again a total lack of logic to be found in a statement by a Sevco club official.
Humble Pie says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 00:49
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Meanwhile under the radar……Gavin Berry of the Daily Record decides that Rangers not signing an Irishman is not for the lack of trying.
“But it’s not always been as easy trying to persuade players from the Emerald Isle to make the switch to Rangers – though not for the lack of trying on the part of the Ibrox club”
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This is just a variation on the theme from many Sevco fans that it is in fact the Irish players themselves who are the bigots and not their club.
I’ll leave you to decide
Who’s to say the SFL won’t ask for £2m or £3m for the TV rights next season? If it is the only way to keep the 5-year TV deal alive, the SPL would simply have to pay.
Reconstructsion IMO is all about getting the SFL television rights. The SFL would be better off financially doing there own deal with SKY.
Celtic Paranoia (@CelticParanoia) says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 13:42
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Humble Pie says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 00:49
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Meanwhile under the radar……Gavin Berry of the Daily Record decides that Rangers not signing an Irishman is not for the lack of trying.
“But it’s not always been as easy trying to persuade players from the Emerald Isle to make the switch to Rangers – though not for the lack of trying on the part of the Ibrox club”
—————————————————————————-
This is just a variation on the theme from many Sevco fans that it is in fact the Irish players themselves who are the bigots and not their club.
I’ll leave you to decide
=========================
I’m sure the KKK made the ridiculous claim some time ago that they would welcome any black person that wanted to join them.
Celtic Paranoia (@CelticParanoia) says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 13:42
As a matter of Interest, how many Welsh players have played for Rangers?……does that make them anti-welsh too?
dixonbainbridge71 says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 13:54
As a matter of Interest, how many Welsh players have played for Rangers?……does that make them anti-welsh too?
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What’s your point caller?
It’s hard to take anything on face value I know, but I suspect the signs were not good for TRFC yesterday on the leapfrogging topic, working through the leagues was so August.
If reconstruction proves to be the first immoveable object in the road to recovery, then Longmuir has been proved to be a distraction and is done. ND would be gone already if he is bidding for a non member club, maybe he got a loyalty bonus. That leaves the suspiciously quiet Regan. Who has done too much for the recovery process already, are we now looking at the list of those willing to loose further credibility being exhausted. Or maybe they have had a wee warning that enough is enough from on high. COuld I have missed someone? Mr Rangers at home. The day that guy is no longer involved in anything the better. There will be the question of resisting agenda Y but I think we may be moving in the right direction.
All the comments about fans not wanting 12-12-18. They want a bigger league. ND saying it is not economically viable. My take is that TV have both old old firm teams almost each week for no more money for 4yrs. If TRFC are back before the end then it would revert back to something involving old old firm games (if it ever did), but the deals are done and have 4yrs left. And of course the lower leagues get to milk the cow, twice even.
2 big leagues may be what the fans would like to try, but IMHO prices are too high already and less home games would drive them up and the competition factor would not make up the difference with higher attendances. And I’m not sure if that is propaganda in the first place and there is no point in asking for thumbs, as I think most would hate to see anything that favours the guilty party return sooner than they should.
OT Lenny got caught shouting at hardman, I heard it myself.
blu says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 14:00
Point is, be carefull when throwing around stats to back up arguments.
dixonbainbridge71 says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 14:03
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blu says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 14:00
Point is, be carefull when throwing around stats to back up arguments.
==================================================================
The DR story was about there being an issue for Rangers signing catholics born in the ROI even now, more than 140 years after the original club was formed. Given that Ireland has exported many more footballers to Scotland than Wales, do you not think that’s odd? Has there never been anyone good enough?
I am going to repeat my past views and am not sorry to do so.
We as fans have got to challenge the WATP attitude (which emanates not only from Special Conditional Licence Sevco FC and it’s fans but also has branches/roots which are at the heart of the SFA/SPL. Basically this mindset seems to be beating strongly through all the veins of Scottish football and the SMSM is one of its main arteries).
WATP attitude/entity exists as a strong force and the past 18 months have shown how powerful this is. A prime example of this is Mr Campbell Ogilvie still being in his position.
I personally have done all I can so far to challenge this by the only means available to me as I had to as doing nothing was not an option. I am sure other fans have done the same and far more than I have because we care. I have written/emailed the following people and organisations to express my views on various aspects of save the Fabric of Society FC and maintain the WATP attitude that really angers me. Those I have contacted so far:-
SFA, SPL, EUFA, FIFA, Alex Salmond, my local MSP, Celtic FC, HMRC, SFA Survey, Police, Celtic Trust and various online forums, to name but a few.
So far to no avail the club formally known as Rangers seem to have transferred the WATP mantra to the team formed as Special Conditional Licence Sevco FC and they seem to carry the same charmed/favoured life as oldco. The SFA seems to want this mindset and entity to exist at all costs and this has been maintained blatantly at the highest level over the past 18 months.
I have made my views clear that all I want is justice and to have a sport that has sporting integrity at its heart, I want FFP to apply to all clubs and I want a SFA governing body that has no ties to the WATP attitude mantra. I want this simply because I care and I love football.
This is all I can do at the moment but I can do more in the future. What I do depends on a few things such as; if the latest investigation which was the LNS inquiry was so obviously based on one man’s flawed evidence why have NO chairmen from other clubs challenged this verdict? I know through this forum FIFA were informed by bloggers on this matter and has made a response. It least FIFA has been made aware that there is an issue deep within Scottish football. I would like to think that FIFA would take action if Chairmen from all clubs challenged this LNS decision. I feel this issue can only be dealt honestly without fear outside this country (which is a very sad thing to say or admit). If league reconstruction in any way shoehorns WATP poison into SPL 2 then corruption has won.
Neil Doncaster came across IMO very well on Sat on BBC Sportsound and seemed to say that it was 12, 12, and 18 as the way ahead. It may not be perfect but it would ensure Sevco not jumping queues. Graham Speirs actually shamed himself on the same show were as Stuart Cosgrove gave an honest debate and opinion and as such was classed as anti rangers by Speirs. Neil Doncaster even put out a blog recently that had negative undertones for Sevco FC.
I do not know if any thing is being addressed behind the scenes by club chairmen and it is all to do with timing/politics who knows? I am just trying to make sense and find reasons or to try and justify why so far all clubs are in silence in this issue which basically could be the end of Scottish football and that is no exaggeration IMO.
We all know time heals but also time stalls things and at present this suits Sevco and WATP mindset as they must think “so far so good” which bears well in their eyes for the future. We cannot let this feeling of injustice be diluted, we as fans want our game back but not at a price. We must maintain this stance and not allow the MSM to think we will just be like them and roll over. All this time has made me even more determined to seek justice as without it I have no sport.
As mentioned before I have done all I can so far but if it comes to fruition that my club and all the other clubs in our game stay silent then they will have silent stadiums next season as I think fans have really had enough and will stay away from this game in vast numbers. I am waiting to see what transpires before the end of this season before I purchase my season books and I have 4 adult sons who have the same attitude. Football at this moment cannot afford to lose fans at this time, but why should I continue to watch football if I know that it is flawed to benefit one mindset and one team that feeds this poison.
Let time make us stronger, remember last summer how we felt and as a result of this feeling we stood as one and just said NO. This is still our time and No means NO at all times.
blu says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 14:12
Pre-Mo Johnstone they woudn’t have signed an ROI player, think we can agree on that. After that it was more a case of ROI players not being interested if they had other options. Hardly surprising really. As far as John Daly signing goes, it seems to be non-Rangers fans making more of a deal of this……although don’t want to have to go on Vangaurd Bears to fully confirm.
As I predicted Neil Lennon has been charged with comments made during and after Sundays game. No surprise there then. Hope he fights it all the way.
It wasn’t at the ref, it was at Goodwin, who also shouted back I’m sure. Strategic microphone placement for differing reasons at differing televised games.
Galling fiver says:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 14:32
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It wasn’t at the ref, it was at Goodwin, who also shouted back I’m sure. Strategic microphone placement for differing reasons at differing televised games.
=============================================================
Where do we go with this one GF? I didn’t see any of this so have to ask; do you know that NL shouted at the St Mirren player rather than the referee? Do you know that Jim Goodwin shouted back in response?
The fact is that NL is a combative character and from time to time has a rant, although this seems to be becoming less frequent the longer he’s in the job. Like most in football he has a selfish, one-eyed view of events. Sometimes he’s right and sometimes he’s wrong.
Do you really believe that the TV company is choosing to place a microphone close to NL in the belief that he’ll say something out of order and that that will be relayed to the football authorities? Do you believe that the said TV company is choosing to not place microphones close to other rmanagers or fans so they don’t pick up those people saying things they shouldn’t?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrvJLpXdnx8
Neil Lennon on sunday