Any organisation’s plan for a top-down review of development would ordinarily be welcome news. Self evaluation, or even better independent evaluation is an ongoing process amongst professionals, individually and collectively alike. In the case of the SFA however a healthy scepticism is required. We are after all dealing with people who are the poster boys for self-interest and short-termism.
The SFA had previously commissioned a thorough review of the game (decades ago) by Rinus Michels, the inventor of “Total Football” and his report was largely ignored, partly because it implied criticism of the then current regime, and partly because it would cost money. A “Total Shambles”.
Henry McLeish also famously recommended (again after being commissioned to do so by the SFA) a more balanced approach to governance between the SFA and SPFL. This would have required a blazer or two having less say in the running of the game – and was therefore ignored.
Mark Wotte, the prominent Dutch coach hired as performance director at Hampden also suggested during his tenure that, in order to improve technique, more ball time should be provided for players in games.
He recommended seven a side competitions as the norm for u-15s (less players – more participation).
To accommodate this, club infrastructures would have required expensive upgrading, and coaches in clubs, not responsive to new ideas lobbied hard for the status quo.
The upshot is that we carried on with the same eleven-a-side games where many players hardly got a kick.
And in this classic Einsteinean definition of insanity, no overall improvements were to be found in the national team’s fortunes.
No wonder Wotte fled the scene in 2014 after three years.
Of course the details are debatable and subjective, but experience tells us;
Anything that
a) costs money or
b) upsets old boys’ networks
has a tendency to be hidden out of sight.
The recent “announcement” is merely a reaction to a couple of poor results, caused in part by inaction in the wake of previous reports’ recommendations.
An increasing number of observers of our game refer to an inferior mindset amongst players in Scotland, that we accept losing as the norm.
Hardly surprising that such a mindset is prevalent amongst professionals.
They must despair at the chronic self-interest, ineptitude and fecklessness of the “leaders” of our sport – an organisation that appointed Gordon Smith as CE (think about that for a minute) based on who his pals were, where McGregor and Petrie can become senior officers – “because it’s his turn!” – despite being unqualified squares in a round ball game, and where fairy-tales take precedence over reality.
As long as the blazers have a seat on the SFA bus, nothing will change.
https://philmacgiollabhain.ie/2019/09/20/blue-room-manoeuvres-and-city-scuttlebutt/
A set fee of 750k ? a pre pack admin ? Are the board preparing to throw King under a bus ? This would be a very costly venture , I imagine uefa would probably expel them from the EL and withhold monies due as well as a stripping of the dressing room to get costs under control. Then there would be the 15 pt deduction which virtually surrenders any hope of league success and a possible exodus of fans who may not want to turn up to watch half a team with little prospect of success. All conjecture of course but if King has been the only one dealing with the accounts then they may have uncovered an unknown minefield . This scenario does fit with what Brazil has hinted at and there is no reason why he hasn’t been tasked with leaking out details to soften the blow when it happens. If Ashley also gets to ring fence cash then Close brothers are also likely to make moves. It could all get very very messy …………….again.
Timtim 20th September 2019 at 11:29
I have to admit I didn't get what PMGB was hinting at with the reference to £750,000, so thanks for pointing that out.
I'm not sure, but if they do successfully achieve a pre-pack administration I imagine they might prevent many of the ravages, in terms of player loss, that they might otherwise experience, as keeping most of the playing squad would, most likely, be an aim of the pre-pack nature of the process. The Close Brothers' deal/security and Ashley scenario might well put paid to their plans, though.
UEFA, however, will also not be so accommodating, and certainly questioning of the SFA's pathetic oversight of a known overspending club. Expulsion of the club and a ban from Europe might well follow as a clear breach of FFP regulations will be evident.
Again we are in the realms of speculation over the financial mess that is TRFC, so let's look forward to a rise in the number of SFM posts, and enjoy.
I have no idea what is being planned, or not, in the Blue Room.
However, what is evident following the conversion of loans to equity is that King is now more vulnerable to a Boardroom coup than when he was the largest creditor.
On the other hand, New Oasis is the largest shareholder with 26.12% of the issued shares, up from 14.57% before the last conversion of loan notes. That provides King with at least a blocking stake in the event of any special resolutions being put forward that he is not in accord with.
J.J. in his blog today claims that King has vetoed the payment of the £400,000 court costs to Ashley and that he is also determined not to pay Ashley when the actual damages are awarded against Rangers next month in the English courts.
This may the bit of brinksmanship that Alan Brazil has been hinting at. If so, it raises all sorts of questions, not least of all the possible breakdown in relations between King and his fellow directors. If Brazil has been given air time to alert the Ibrox fans then I'm sure the SFA and the SMSM will be swiftly on the case.
Timtim 20th September 2019 at 11:29
'.. A set fee of 750k ? a pre pack admin .'
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
That sent me to read up a little on 'pre-packs'
And honest to God, if ever there was a legalised form of robbery that gives carte blanche to people like some of those lying, devious, unprincipled and unscrupulous felons that we have read about over the years, it's the use of pre-packs to stiff creditors!
The historically much-lauded 'invention' of 'limited companies' and 'limited liability' and the 'corporate veil' allows absolute scoundrels to profit from debt-laden companies and then bunk off with swag without any real penalty;with many a Tulkinghorn-type lawyer and low life financial adviser there to share in the booty.
Bring back the debtors' prison! Or at least mark with public shame and disgrace those directors whose incompetence and /or criminal tendencies damage others
https://johnjamessite.com/
he says he has discounted the possibility of non payment of the 440k and I think we would have heard had he failed to stump up on time as for deciding not to pay the larger bill then that just seems textbook King kicking the can down the road ,problem is he has run out of road.These bills aren’t on King personally (correct me if I’m wrong) but on the “holding company” so refusal to pay or even declaring bankruptcy won’t solve the issue for the club* . If the Directors then become liable it may help him avoid payment personally but by then the club* is already holed beneath the water line. I also can’t see how they could avoid a cull of the dressing room as running costs will still outweigh income by a large chunk.
Timtim 20th September 2019 at 13:21
I think, as JC has just posted about, a pre-pack administration gives big, and unfair, advantage to the debt-laden company, and, assuming a buyer with a bit of cash is sitting around the corner, may very well offload so much of the debt that the new owner will only have to finance the wage bill. Onerous, but certainly manageable to the right RRM. TRFC would still have to cope with a points deduction and any UEFA fallout, which would both cause financial damage, but the eventual upshot would be a club on a stronger footing than it is currently.
JC at 13.19 on “Carte Blanche robbery”
in that case John you really don’t want to read up on the £900m Thomas Cook “rescue package.” Bearing in mind it’s 1.6 billion of debt they’re seeking to hose….sorry, “rescue”
Meant to add, I'm not sure how the Close Brothers loan and security might affect any such plans as I believe there are some quite onerous conditions attached in the event of an insolvency event, which if I am not mistaken, even a pre-pack administration would be classed as (insolvency event).
MA is no doubt keeping a close eye on the situation, too, and might take steps to circumvent a pre-pack, if that is possible.
@AJ are there any RRM left ? buying this club* after King has been at the controls is a high risk investment , they will find the gearbox full of sawdust at the very least plus I don't think it gets them out of the SDI retail deal. Then there is the possibility of no euro income for a year or two with a real chance 10 in a row will happen . Will Gerrard hang around ? I doubt it tbh . We could be looking at Murty returning , 20k crowds and a squad to match. If the fans believe they have been duped by King it will be the last straw for many of them.
Timtim 20th September 2019 at 13:53
You may be right about a lack of RRM, but I wasn't really limiting a rescue package to one coming from a genuine supporter (think Ashley) and there is always the possibility of someone moving in with cash who sees a football club as an entry to the UK business world, though that is obviously less likely now with Brexit, as pretty soon anybody will be welcome as long as they have a good line in money laundering and come with their own personal tax haven (no sniggering emoji coz I'm not sniggering).
Anyway, by my limited understanding of a pre-pack, a buyer for the business is required, so, no buyer, no pre-pack.
In truth, if they manage to pull off a pre-pack, I reckon they will slide a bit (10 in a row is going to happen anyway) but, in time, will become a solid second and make a more realistic challenge. Debt is what's holding them back and shedding most of that will serve them well.
On the other hand, if insolvency is nigh, and they don't achieve a pre-pack, then they will be clinging on for dear life as that wage bill is enormous, and the external debt, that we know of, is rather large, too.
So, need to keep paying players, unload players, not honour STs, somehow hang onto the assets tied up in CB security, somehow pay back CB loan then satisfy remaining creditors while, perhaps, unsure of further litigation outcomes.
If they can't cope with that, the L word crops up again. Cue OC/NC…and breathe.
Forgive me for asking, but in the discussion in the posts above is it TRFC or RIFC being referenced re potential administration events?
The football club & its holding company parent seem to grow more intertwined by the day…
Jingso.Jimsie 20th September 2019 at 16:49
'.. is it TRFC or RIFC being referenced re potential administration events? '
++++++++++++++
As I understand it, in the court cases v SDIR, TRFC Ltd is the defender. This means that it was a director of the actual football club that signed the deals on behalf of the football club(not of RIFC plc) and it is the club and its assets that are at risk if they cannot pay their bills.
Of course, if TRFC Ltd were to enter Administration and fail to find a way out of Administration, it would enter Liquidation, and thereby cease to be a club entitled to play in Scottish Professional Football (that is, it would suffer death as a football club just as Rangers of 1872 did)
The Liquidators would sell all the assets, which would leave the Board of RIFC plc without a chair or a marble step to put their ars.s on ,and without a right to occupy any of the premises.So, with no raison d'etre, RIFC plc would be dissolved.
Thanks John, that was my understanding.
The series of posts above mine seemed to widen the field to include RIFC, hence my confusion.
Allyjambo 20th September 2019 at 12:04
The Close Brothers’ deal/security and Ashley scenario might well put paid to their plans, though.
UEFA, however, will also not be so accommodating, and certainly questioning of the SFA’s pathetic oversight of a known overspending club. Expulsion of the club and a ban from Europe might well follow as a clear breach of FFP regulations will be evident.
……………………
And all will be blamed by the fans of ibrox for punishing the club.
People are talking about the possibility of Rangers (I'm not sure if they mean the PLC or the subsidiary company) selling it's assets via a pre-pack administration to new owners, a "newco".
Pre-pack administration is not the same as a normal administration which the company exits via a cva and is still the same company. The assets and trading are sold to a new company.
Even if it did not kill the existing entity off would Rangers consider deliberately causing an insolvency event when Celtic are trying to win their ninth successive league title.
It seems unlikely to me. Surely that would kill off any prospect of winning the league, even if it wasn't a different entity anyway.
Allyjambo 20th September 2019 at 13:34
and, assuming a buyer with a bit of cash is sitting around the corner, may very well offload so much of the debt that the new owner will only have to finance the wage bill. Onerous, but certainly manageable to the right RRM. TRFC would still have to cope with a points deduction and any UEFA fallout, which would both cause financial damage, but the eventual upshot would be a club on a stronger footing than it is currently.
……………..
https://twitter.com/ClusterOne2/status/1175117928074813441/photo/1
……………
As you can see from the link…I hope.
The last new owner only had to finance the wage bill they squandered £70 Million in two years. And the share price in RIFC had slumped to 22p.
22p was known as a slump back then.
“would Rangers consider deliberately causing an insolvency event”
if you are trading while insolvent then the Directors have no option but to place the business in administration or they personally can end up liable for those debts. King may be able to thumb his nose and hide in Sth Africa but others particularly Andrew Dickson and Stewart Robertson as Directors of TRFC would be most vulnerable. I doubt they would create an insolvency event out of choice even as a means to rid them of King , sledgehammer and nut come to mind.If a pre pack is being arranged then they have found another Motherwell born billionaire for the big switcheroony and they are as rare as hens teeth.They are possibly drawing up a list of candidates to blame as we speak , Ashley and Close brothers will be near the top but don’t discount the pupils of Saint Saviours Primary in Govan Rd , notorious rascals that have a history of undermining the fabric of our society over the years.
John Clark 20th September 2019 at 13:19
——————
I concur.
macfurgly 20th September 2019 at 23:25
'.. I concur. '
++++++++++++++++
And I'm sure that most ordinary folk can see the weakness of a system that ( as exemplified by the Thomas Cook example currently) allows feckin companies to blackmail Government and the rest of us by the threat of the loss of jobs if they are not bailed out!
They f.ck up, as did RBS and the banks generally, and the rest of us suffer while the individuals responsible ( or greedily irresponsible) get off quite happily, profits made!
A bit like the Rangers saga:
Some cheating football club owner cheats the taxman (i.e us!) , an asset stripper cheats the creditors, and a bunch of phoneys tries to make money by using the name and brand of a dead club, and the very Regulating authority buys into the whole deceitful farrago, succumbs to a kind of blackmail, makes liars of itself, and destroys any belief that Scottish Football is anything but rotten at the core by accommodating the cheats.
John Clark 20th September 2019 at 23:52
'.. and the very Regulating authority buys into the whole deceitful farrago, '
+++++++++++++++++
And this reminds me that my email of last Friday to the FCA has not yet been even acknowledged,let alone reponded to.
Keep in mind: Charles Green set up a new football club
A club so new that it had to apply for membership of a League in order to be allowed into membership of the SFA.
A club , initially called Sevco Scotland, and renamed The Rangers Football Club Ltd,whose shares were
were subsequently purchased by a new company called Rangers International Football Club plc, which then went on to offer to the public investor shares in the Rangers Football Club of 1872!
No wonder the FCA has failed to acknowledge my correspondence!
Mr Bailey and Mr Randell may think that what John Clark has to say can be contemptuously dismissed.
The fact remains that RIFC plc in its Prospectus certainly implied that prospective investors would be investing in 'Rangers of 1872',with its world record sporting achievements, and not in some gimcrack club manufactured by Charles Green in 2012 falsely claiming to be the Rangers of my grandfather's day, and being accepted by dishonest and dishonourable governance people as being such.
What might the FCA do if it is alleged that an IPO was founded on an untruth? That prospective investors worldwide were being offered shares not in 'the most successful club in the world' but in a brand new football club that had not even kicked a ball?
I fear that it will do what those whose purpose in life is 'money' rather than 'principle'.
And if that is the case, may they be end up in Dante's fourth circle of hell.
And very bad cess to them!
'.. others particularly Andrew Dickson and Stewart Robertson as Directors of TRFC '
+++++++++++++++++
Ach, those guys,I believe, are mere puppets!
And probably haven't the savvy to realise that their position legally may set them up as fall guys!
In no way, in my opinion, are these guys 'directing' TRFC Ltd.
They are, I believe, but servants, doing their master's bidding: but servants who ,in my belief, will be disowned by their master if and when everything may go pear-shaped.!
And they may be too young to know that claiming to have been merely obeying orders was not a particularly successful argument for a number of Nazi war criminals.
God Almighty!
Timtim 20th September 2019 at 21:04
…King may be able to thumb his nose and hide in Sth Africa but others particularly Andrew Dickson and Stewart Robertson as Directors of TRFC would be most vulnerable…
##############################
Working from my (probably faulty) memory, but didn't two 'office bearers' at TRFC give personal guarantees re the Elite/Hummel deal?
I'm not sure it was both the names mentioned above, though.
No need to pay Duedil StevieBC. Access all the filings via the companies House Beta service. Accounts are here
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/SC005453/filing-history
I really need to get back into visiting the site more regularly
There’s been a lot of smoke machines and mirrors put in position over the last few days. In times past Mr King has shown himself to be a master of the deus ex machina plot device to extricate himself from tricky financial situations. The South African tax authorities did manage to corner him once but he avoided jail time. If PMGB has called it correctly then he faces the same fate as Julius Caesar in the Senate as his one time confederates conspire to remove him from office. Such a manoeuvre in my opinion is the only way it can happen as the football authorities and a compliant media remain in thrall of the famous Glasgow Rangers*.
Ex Ludo 21st September 2019 at 11:35
he faces the same fate as Julius Caesar in the Senate as his one time confederates conspire to remove him from office. Such a manoeuvre in my opinion is the only way it can happen.
…………………….
Next week could be interesting.
King is hit with a large bill from Ashley.
What if he can’t pay or refuses to pay?
what if the two board members trip to london have been offered a payment deal and not a lump sum if king is gone.
What if king can’t pay and he hopes other board members would pick up the bill, and they won’t or can’t.
I think most expect a can to be kicked, but i think this can has reached the end of the road.
scottc, thanks but for some reason my tablet refuses to display the PDF files. I'll try another device.
CO, for me it's not yet about whether they can pay Big Mike's bill.
It's about inserting a bloody big number, [or range of numbers], into the Notes to the Accounts.
Because,
– the number has to be reasonable / agreeable to the Auditors
&
– the Auditors have to have reasonable / agreeable proof that this – and any other funding shortfalls – are adequately covered.
Some of the non-bampot Twitterati are of the view Close Brothers will make moves next week to ring fence funds for what Rangers owe them, once the Judge has ruled on Monday. I am sure Ashley will also take steps to get whatever he is awarded. If no-one is prepared to pony up then surely Administration is the only option? I found out last week a very wealthy Rangers fan (not a financer, but he is close to the action) is telling people he believes Rangers are Donald Ducked, with fingers pointing straight at King. Only time will tell, but if at the end of next week they have external liabilities of £10-15m with no means of paying then things could get very interesting.
On a more general note, what do UEFA do if clubs currently participating in a tournament have an insolvency event?
Upthehoops@15.56
There doesn’t appear to be a specific procedure but Article 26 of UEFA regulations may apply in relation to an insolvency event. See below.
Article 26 Refusal to play and similar cases
26.01 If a club refuses to play or is responsible for a match not taking place or not being played in full, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body declares the match forfeited and disqualifies the club concerned in combination with the following fines:
a. prior to or during the preliminary round, first, second or third qualifying round: €10,000
b. prior to or during the play-offs: €30,000
c. prior to the group stage: €50,000
d. during the group stage: €125,000
e. prior to or during the round of 32: €150,000
f. prior to or during the round of 16: €175,000
g. prior to or during the quarter-finals: €200,000
h. prior to or during the semi-finals: €250,000
i. prior to or during the final: €500,000
26.02 Exceptionally, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body can validate the result as it stood at the moment when the match was abandoned if the match result was to the detriment of the club responsible for the match being abandoned.
26.03 If a club is disqualified or for any reason withdraws from the competition before completion of its matches in the group stage, the results of all of its matches are declared null and void, and its points forfeited.
26.04 In all cases, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body can take further measures if the circumstances so justify.
26.05 A club which refuses to play or is responsible for a match not taking place or not being played in full loses all rights to payments from UEFA.
26.06 Upon receipt of a reasoned and well-documented request from the aggrieved club(s), the UEFA administration may set an amount of compensation due for financial loss.
StevieBC 21st September 2019 at 15:07
CO, for me it’s not yet about whether they can pay Big Mike’s bill.
It’s about inserting a bloody big number, [or range of numbers], into the Notes to the Accounts.
………………
You have not been paying attention….You bad lad.
https://twitter.com/ClusterOne2/status/1175487691707834373/photo/1
It is when the numbers don’t add up that the trouble starts, who this week will the fans be calling for his head?
Ex Ludo 21st September 2019 at 17:46
Disciplinary Body declares the match forfeited and disqualifies the club concerned in combination with the following fines:
……………..
Any ibrox fan….Have we not been punished enough.
upthehoops 21st September 2019 at 15:56
Some of the non-bampot Twitterati are of the view Close Brothers will make moves next week to ring fence funds for what Rangers owe them, once the Judge has ruled on Monday.
===============================
I don't know if the next hearing in the SDI case will be on Monday as I can't see anything in the Rolls.
A check on the previous ruling said the following about the date:
12. A directions hearing shall be listed for one day for the first available date after 23 September 2019.
I started to try and add up what King has actually cost this club* and the figures are frightening. It starts with his undermining of the previous board,calls for boycotts that saw crowds drop to less than 15k and a share price that plummeted , his legal battles would take up a chapter on their own , the TOP fiasco that was easily avoidable and the retail deals that saw 3m disappear into Ashleys pocket as well as having to shell out 27p per share before signing an even worse deal in perpetuity .His car boot sale and the subsequent fallout with SDI and Hummel will be the biggest of his mistakes. His expense account with 1st class travel would make a politician blush then there is his forays into the transfer markets to soothe fans paying a reputed 7m for a Southpaw with an elastic hamstring. Then there is the costs of all the propaganda , Jim Traynor has earned nearly as much as Alfredo Morelos which may be fair given he is 2 stone lighter and is a more proficient finisher. Our denizens of the Press Corp must be aghast at their part in this , they smoothed the way for this glib and shameless criminal , championed his cause at every turn and drove out a real billionaire . Nobody has done more damage to the clubs* of Ibrox than the succulent lamb munchers , ignoring the crimes of Dodgy Dave , ushering in Craig Whyte , driving out Ashley and replacing him with King. The Bampots knew the truth ,the dogs on the street knew the truth and in fairness the likes of Traynor and his pack of poodles knew the truth along with the corrupt Blazers upstairs but they chose once again to lie , cheat and bully there way to Superiority. If they go under this time we really do need to nail the lid shut .
easyJambo 21st September 2019 at 21:23
'… 12. A directions hearing shall be listed for one day for the first available date after 23 September 2019. '
++++++++++++++++
Yes, I don't think there has been anything else announced so far as I can see.
—
As an aside and for entertainment on a Saturday night , mixed with astonishment when one recalls the outcome of the action taken against King by the TOP in the matter of his alleged non-compliance with Lord Bannatyne's 'order', let me lift this from the SDIR judgment:
"Before Lionel Persey QC (sitting as a Judge of the High Court) 19 July 2019
BETWEEN: SDI RETAIL SERVICES LIMITED Claimant -andTHE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED Defendant
ORDER
PENAL NOTICE: IF YOU THE WITHIN NAMED THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED DO NOT COMPLY WITH THIS ORDER YOU MAY BE HELD TO BE IN CONTEMPT OF COURT AND ANY OF YOUR DIRECTORS MAY BE IMPRISONED OR FINED OR YOU MAY BE FINED OR YOUR ASSETS SEIZED
Big tough language that would frighten anyone!
But of course Dave not being a Director of the Rangers Football Club Ltd needn't be frightened. Nothing to dae wi' him!
I assume, though, that Messrs Dickson and Robertson have fully complied to date?
Edinburgh Derby compelling watch. Jambos thoroughly deserved their win, although Hibs, who were in the ascendency after they scored, were in part architects of their own downfall.
Big Pink 22nd September 2019 at 16:58
Edinburgh Derby compelling watch. Jambos thoroughly deserved their win, although Hibs, who were in the ascendency after they scored, were in part architects of their own downfall.
=============
Saw most of the second half when I got back from the Celtic v Killie game. Hearts got a break with the deflection for the 2nd goal but sometimes you need that. I know which of the two Managers is likely to have a better sleep tonight!
upthehoops 22nd September 2019 at 19:52
Big Pink 22nd September 2019 at 16:58
===========================
Certainly improved in the second half. Both sets of fans joined in a "You're getting sacked in the morning" chant against both managers at half time.
It was good to see one of Edinburgh's finest supporting the winning side too
.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1175796200014061570
EJ
Yeah, the copper was funny?
Made me wonder about the reaction had it been for a goal in a Celtic/Rangers match. I’m guessing outrage. Maybe a wee reminder that the game is all the more enjoyable when we lighten up a little.
Big Pink 23rd September 2019 at 07:58
EJ
Yeah, the copper was funny Made me wonder about the reaction had it been for a goal in a Celtic/Rangers match. I’m guessing outrage. Maybe a wee reminder that the game is all the more enjoyable when we lighten up a little.
———————————————————
There would have been petitions and a public naming and shaming probably.
Made me laugh when i saw it
Just as a footnote to the Scottish Cup 1st round at the weekend, I see that Caledonian Braves tweeted an invite to attend their first ever Scottish Cup tie.
Caledonian Braves @CaleyBraves Sep 21
IT’S MATCHDAY!
Be part of History! Come along to Alliance Park on Saturday and see the Braves play their first ever
@ScottishCup game!
Gate Prices: General Admission £5, Kids FREE, Season Tickters are not valid
#jointhebrave #affordablefootball
It's an odd claim as their previous incarnation of Edusport Academy reached the 2nd Round in each of the last two seasons.
If, as appears to be the case, Caledonian Braves is claiming to be a new club, then one wonders how they managed persuade the SFA and Lowland League to get their licence and membership of both associations transferred, without starting at the bottom of the pyramid.
easyJambo 23rd September 2019 at 12:36
'.. If, as appears to be the case, Caledonian Braves is claiming to be a new club, then one wonders how they managed persuade the SFA and Lowland League to get their licence and membership of both associations transferred, without starting at the bottom of the pyramid.'
+++++++++++++++
I commented some time ago that probably all that was happening was that the football club previously known as Edusport Academy was merely changing its name , and that would be quite all right:there seems to have been no change of ownership, no liquidation, no dissolution, so there would have been no problem in effecting a simple name change and carrying on as continuimg club in continuous membership of the SFA and of the Lowland league.
It's not as though Edusport Academy had been liquidated and lost its entitlement to membership of the league and the SFA.way the old Rangers and were making a false claim to continuity.
I imagine that the SFA's and Lowland league's hands might actually be clean on this occasion .
But it would be useful if some kind of explanation was offered.I would have thought that the SFA in particular might relish an opportunity to show that at least in this matter, they have acted honestly and in accordance with their own Rules!
Someone above asked about whether the Sports Direct settlement carried a degree of directors personal liability. I’m fairly sure John James established that part of Kings last ‘victory’ over SDI was to have the personal liability element permanently released at least from Blair and King.
A lifeline for Scotland?
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/23/russia-face-tokyo-olympics-ban-over-inconsistent-moscow-lab-data-athletics
A lifeline for Scotland?
Are we confident that Scotland will come in third in our section.
HS
adam812 23rd September 2019 at 21:40
'A lifeline for Scotland? '
+++++++++++
Que? The potential expulsion of Russia because of cheating should facilitate the participation in the World Cup of a nation which has a football governance body like the SFA?
Cheats are cheats, whether the cheating is at State -sponsored level, or at the grubby little level of the 'governance body' which allows a seven year old club to try to cash in on a history that it does not have!
Who could be arsed with that?
In what way is the SFA less of a cheating organisation than the Russian equivalent?
Headline from the DR today;
"Humza Yousaf urges SFA and SPFL to show 'real leadership' in bid to banish racism from our game."
=====
Hmm, if anyone had any lingering doubts about politicians being disconnected from the average person in the street…
Someone should have a quiet word with this chap.
StevieBC
He should ask SRtRC to step in?
Big Pink 24th September 2019 at 09:06
'.. SRtRC …'
+++++++++++
Ha ha, BP,well-accustomed to the huge number of acronyms and abbreviations used on SFM these last years, that one nevertheless had me foxed for a good few minutes!
Show Racism the red Card, is it?
Yes indeed 🙂
John C
Every day a school day on SFM?
JC, Google is your friend…
[Except when it's evil and trying to take over the world!]
I had to cheat and look up that acronym.
Supreme Court verdict goes against the Government and msm all over it and many discussions taking place on what should happen next, possibly PM resigning.
Same court verdict that RFC (IL) use of EBTs illegal..To this day silence, no discussions from our smsm on what punishments should occur. Nothing, sweet f*** all. Only in Scotland.
valentinesclown 24th September 2019 at 11:41
'.. court verdict that RFC (IL) use of EBTs illegal. …'
+++++++++++++
It is currently being alleged that Thomas Cook directors lined their own pockets and so contributed to the death of that Company by Liquidation.
The majority shareholder of RFC of 1872 was the cause, by his cheating, of the death of that club, but walked away virtually unscathed , retaining his title and with his own little businesses untouched.
Meanwhile one assumes and hopes and expects that HMRC is patiently seeking recovery of tax due from the small fry , the recipients of EBTs, with CW getting all the abuse in the world!
As ever (until now, perhaps) the big bad boys get away with their misbehaviour.May they suffer condign punishment at some stage in their miserable, rotten lives.
Confirmed: The name of the third UEFA club competition will be UEFA Europa Conference League.
The new competition will start in 2021 and is aimed at giving more clubs in more countries a chance to participate in European football.
……………………..
UEFA Europa Conference League.
Great sounding name…Not. First step in trying to sell something to the masses, make it sound exciting.
What UEFA did next .
https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/newsid=2625412.html
paddy malarkey 24th September 2019 at 20:53
What UEFA did next .
https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/newsid=2625412.html
=============================================
The most concerning part of that announcement is that once the 3rd tier competition (Europa Conference League) starts in season 2021/22, Scotland will have NO automatic entrants to the 2nd tier Europa League unless Scotland's national coefficient improves from the current 19th up to 15th by the end of THIS season.
The national champions will continue to go into the qualifying rounds of the Champions League with a fallback of the EL or ECL depending on which round they might exit the CL.
Now that UEFA has thrown a bone to the 'small nation clubs', I suppose the next logical step is to convert the Champions League into something like franchise.
A new format to guarantee that the big 'global clubs' – like ManU – are guaranteed CL footy every season, regardless of how crap they are actually playing.
…and it will keep the TV and marketing people happy.
It has been interesting watching the fallout from the Supreme Court deciding that three judges from England and Wales got it wrong and three judges from Scotland got it right.
One thing I haven't heard is that as away goals count double the score was 22-0.
paddy malarkey 24th September 2019 at 20:53
What UEFA did next .
—————-
"Competitive balance
The committee discussed a report which studied the impact of the revenues raised by the top five leagues from the other 50 countries in Europe on competitive balance in the game. The report demonstrates that, in the absence of any solidarity payments going back into the 50 markets, the money taken by the top five leagues is a major contributor to the erosion of competitive balance across Europe".
They discussed it. Watch this space, but don't hold your breath.
Macfurgly@23.28
I know it’s not much but at least there’s an acknowledgement that the whole of UEFA club tournaments isn’t right. They might also have added that the competitive imbalance also makes for an entirely predictable semifinal lineup. The success of Ajax last season was a bit of an outlier although welcome nevertheless.
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/latest-hearts-news/how-hearts-and-hibs-rank-in-the-all-time-scottish-premiership-fair-play-table-are-either-among-the-dirtiest-teams-1-5010249.
So, how dirty is your team?
HS
Ex Ludo 24th September 2019 at 23:39
————
All true, but contrary to the direction of travel, with increased representation from the big leagues in the CL and the new 3rd. competition for the rest. Reports have passed through the media recently about Lawwell and Edwin van der Sar from Ajax being involved in discussions to promote the interests of clubs from smaller nations, but the largest clubs seem to have the influence to control the agenda and corral the big money for themselves. Ever bigger fish, ever smaller pool, ever less interesting to watch, but that, for the time being at least, is not a problem for them.
Is seems like a lot of footy fans – myself included – find the CL increasingly predictable and even boring.
Hence, the raised interest levels with Ajax' progress last season: a surprising but welcome 'oddity' for the CL.
As macfurgly alludes to above, UEFA still has ‘X’ years before the larger TV audience outside of Europe reaches saturation point – and become bored stiff with the same clubs, games. tactics, faces.
The risk is that UEFA and the clubs don't really know how big – or small – is the number 'X'.
Absolutely bugger all to do with promoting and developing the quality of club football across Europe…
but totally focused on squeezing maximum revenues from a global customer base.
[And if UEFA had any shame they would rebrand this competition.
'Champions' League' is an affront to the real league champions across Europe.
And the CL denigrates the debt to – and history of – the European Cup, IMO.]
StevieBC
Couldn't agree more. I must admit I'm a sucker for man City and Barca – and last year the Ajax journey was exciting – but aside from that I can't really be bothered.
Even if Celtic are in it, the days coming up to the games are filled with dread
We can't be the only ones either. Sooner or later, on a global or national level, the authorities will have to find out – probably the hard way – that the only thing that ultimately interests folk is competition.
A few years ago. I used to love watching match of the day from start to finish. Now I cherry pick the highlights, and the >> button is employed regularly. Changes a bit nearer the end of the season when relegation and championship are up for grabs, but it is sorry state of affairs when relegation is the only thing that isn't certain.
Problem is, we are probably a decade or so away from that saturation point you talk about.
Also, if I’m Uefa’s marketing dept and I have the choice of selling (random choices) Besiktas vs Helsinki to European fans or Barcelona versus Liverpool to Far East fans I know which will give me more bang for my buck.
Higgy's Shoes 25th September 2019 at 12:58
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/latest-hearts-news/how-hearts-and-hibs-rank-in-the-all-time-scottish-premiership-fair-play-table-are-either-among-the-dirtiest-teams-1-5010249.
So, how dirty is your team?
==========================
I don't think that the disciplinary league table as presented is a fair one as teams have played different numbers of games.
What is not is dispute are the fines that the SFA saw fit to levy on Hearts for their "indiscipline" over successive seasons.
2004/05 £5,000
2005/06 £10,000
2006/07 £20,000
2007/08 £40,000 (£10,000 suspended)
2008/09 £50,000 (£10,000 suspended)
2009/10 £60,000 (£10,000 suspended)
2010/11 £100,000 (£40,000 suspended)
2011/12 £5,000 (changes to disciplinary protocols implemented)
2012/13 £6.000
2013/14 £7,000
2014/15 £0
2015/16 £5,000
2016/17 £6,000
2017/18 £7,000
2018/19 £0
I don't think that any other club has ever been subject to such a punitive scale of sanctions over the same period.
I do not watch CL or the EPL, I will never give them my time or money. FFP does not exist and these tournament's highlight what is wrong with football..
StevieBC @ 13.33
Is seems like a lot of footy fans – myself included – find the CL increasingly predictable and even boring.
—————————————————————————————————-
For those of us who are outside the "elite" yes. I think the same could be said for the SPL and football in Scotland in general. Not since 1984/85 has any team other than (old) Rangers or Celtic won the top division. How has this arisen? The simple answer is that the other teams have not been good enough. Why not? Well money is the biggest reason with these 2 teams having greater resources ( yes one of them went bust) generated by much larger supports allowing them to succeed are generate more money from prize money, UEFA earnings, sponsorship, hospitality, retail, TV etc etc. The whole football "business" is money driven and has been for a considerable time. Can we change that? I'm thinking not sadly.
ps I'm off up to Tynecastle tonight to see what promises to be a s***e game between 2, at best, average teams. I must be aff ma heid!!
https://twitter.com/thescotsman/status/1176842131232755713?s=21
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water up pops another shark ? jump.
@ Ex Ludo 1509hrs:
I'm sceptical/cynical enough to wonder what the tone of the questioning was for the interview. Klopp also apparently said that Dalglish (who hasn’t worked in management since 2012) would probably be first-choice if he (Klopp) was sacked.
Two minutes of research reveals that the source material comes from Klopp being interviewed by the comedian (so some people say!) John Bishop, therefore both the questions & the answers may be rather tongue-in-cheek. It's also not a standalone interview: it’s an extract from a book, entitled 'A Game Of Two Halves: Famous Football Fans Meet Their Heroes'. Remember, buy early for Christmas…
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/jurgen-klopp-steven-gerrard-next-liverpool-manager-fourfourtwo-magazine
Ex Ludo 25th September 2019 at 15:09
…………………….
I wonder if it is natural for an under 18 coach at Liverpool who moves to scotland and has never won a trophy to become the first choice if a management position becomes available at liverpool. Somehow i don’t think it is.
On the subject of European football I loved the days when there were three knock out tournaments, and it was quite clear how you qualified for them. The European Champions Cup was for genuine Champions only, but the other two cups were high quality too. However the knock out nature of the tournaments never did suit the wealthiest clubs and now it has probably gone too far the other way.
Had Spurs won the Champions League last year they would have done so having never won the league in their own country since 1961. What an appalling state of affairs. I accept Liverpool have not won the league for a long time either but they at least have a history in the Champions Cup.
upthehoops 25th September 2019 at 18:53
'… I loved the days when there were three knock out tournaments, and it was quite clear how you qualified for them. '
+++++++++++++
Nostalgia-wise, uth,I loved the days of truthful innocence, when , for example, clubs that went into Liquidation were understood, however regretfully , to have ceased to exist in the same way as say, Thomas Cook travel, or Gretna, or Third Lanark, or (potentially) the Wright bus company in nor'n Ireland.
I was struck by the fact that the Wright buses were called 'Boris buses'.
Somewhere in my puzzled brain there is an association of ideas:
'Thomas Cook' /liquidation,
Wright /'Boris buses'
Boris/ lying
RFC liquidation/SFA lies
SFA lies/ rotten corruption of the sport of Assocation Football
Just the way the mind works, I suppose, given the crap we were fed, and continue to be fed, about the club that will meet Hearts in the semi-final after tonight's games being the Rangers of 1872!
Headline in the DM today;
"FIFA vote-rigging storm: Captains and coaches claim they DID NOT vote for Lionel Messi for The Best award – and now FIFA reveal Egypt's vote for Salah was rejected because it was written in CAPITAL LETTERS"
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7507143/FIFA-Best-awards-hit-vote-rigging-storm-nations-claim-selections-not-counted.html
======
A timely reminder, perhaps, of the scale of the challenge to have an honest and transparent SFA?
When the global football governing body – FIFA – can't even organise a fluffy 'Best Player' award in a universally accepted open and honest manner…
then the Internet Bampots in Scotland have an Everest-size mountain to climb to have our own wee, local SFA replaced with a competently run organisation!
StevieBC 26th September 2019 at 13:23
'.. the Internet Bampots in Scotland have an Everest-size mountain to climb to have our own wee, local SFA replaced with a competently run organisation! '
+++++++++++++++++
.The journalists of the continental European Press appear not to be afraid to ask critical questions of FIFA and UEFA.
In our wee country, there is not a single sports journalist employed by any of our newspapers or by the BBC or other broadcast organisations who has in print or on air publicly condemned the SFA for lying about the true status of TRFC as being a seven-years-old club with no sporting history going back further than 2012.
No power on earth can make that SFA lie magiclly turn into the Truth.
Nor has there been any reference by 'serious' journalists to the fact that the club whose shares were marketed by RIFC plc as being the shares of RFC of 1872 were not the shares of the liquidated RFC of 1872 but of SevcoScotland renamed TRFC.
No power on earth can obliterate that truth.
There is a deep,deep,deep rottenness in the Scottish Press and in the Scottish business and commercial world that is far more deeply corrosive than the rottenness at the heart of Scottish Football.