A Guest Blog for TSFM by beatipacificiscotia
As a child I read a poem by John Godfrey Saxe, “The Blind Men and the Elephant”, and stumbled upon it again recently. It is a simple tale of how six blind men encounter an Elephant and attempt to describe the animal:
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a WALL!”
You get the idea. The other blind men did little better. The second grabbed the tusk and thought the elephant like a spear. Others thought the elephant like a snake (the trunk), a tree (the leg), a fan (the ear), and finally a rope (the tail). What does this have to do with this blog? Let me explain.
There is a danger of all of us, whether consciously or unconsciously, making the same mistake as these blind gentleman. It is too easy to use the parts of the argument that fit our values and belief system, at the expense of the whole truth. The 13th century Jaina scholar, Mallisena, described a much earlier version of the same tale as a parable to argue that people deny various aspects of truth; deluded by the aspects they do understand, they deny the aspects they don’t understand. He said:
“Due to extreme delusion produced on account of a partial viewpoint, the immature deny one aspect and try to establish another. This is the maxim of the blind (men) and the elephant.”
I am incapable of putting it any better than that, though I would go further. I argue that people are deluded by the aspects that they choose to understand, and deny the aspects that they refuse to understand. Which leads me to my tale …..
I have recently read a news report about a decision taken by the Advertising Standards Authority on advertising activities of The Rangers Football Club Ltd and their claims to history and honours. It includes the following quote referring to advice from the SFA:
“We also consulted with the SFA, which confirmed that its definition of a football ‘club’ varied depending on context, and could sometimes refer to an entity separate from the club’s corporate owner.”
I was most unhappy to read this part of the statement. I am yet to see the definition or statement of when you could “sometimes refer to an entity separate from the club’s corporate owner”. This is a contradiction to the definition of a football club given by FIFA; a definition which is handed down to the Confederations, and from Confederations to Associations.
You may or may not be aware, the application of good governance in football is administered through club licensing. This annual process ensures that minimum standards are maintained, to promote growth and development, and ultimately protects all of football – every club, every player and staff member, the integrity of every competition, suppliers of goods and services, the reputation of sponsors, and most of all the fans. FIFA Club Licensing Regulations state that a license applicant must be a football club, defined as:
“Legal entity fully and solely responsible for the football team participating in national and international club competitions that applies for a licence.”
This is a clear and unambiguous definition, which is being ignored by the SFA. Why is this issue so important? Simply, a football club must be held responsible for its commercial activities. For example, an over-ambitious and over-spending Rangers changed the Scottish football landscape forever. Other clubs tried to compete in an unsustainable “Cold War”-like football arms race. I believe Scottish football was damaged. Many clubs have been taken to the brink of death. This could happen in any country, in any league, anywhere in the world. For that reason, a football club and its corporate body must be one and the same, living or dying, inseparably intertwined. The separation of club and company is a myth, a myth dangerous to good governance. Rangers (1872-2012) should be a cautionary tale told to every club owner.
There are many benefits to club licensing. These including minimum standards for stadia and infrastructure, youth development programs, and much more. I would heartily recommend that you read the FIFA document if you have the time. It gave birth to the word and spirit of Financial Fair Play. Look at some of the financial benefits detailed:
10.3 Benefits
Implementation of the financial criteria will help deliver both short and long-term improvements for clubs, the licensors and the football family in general. For the football family in general, the financial criteria should help to:
• safeguard the continuity and integrity of competitions;
• increase the transparency and credibility of clubs’ financial operations;
• improve confidence in the probity of the football industry;
• create a more attractive market for the game’s commercial partners and investors; and
• provide the basis for fair competition, because competition is not just about the teams on the pitch.
For the licensors, the financial criteria should help to:
• improve their understanding of the financial position and prospects of their member clubs;
• encourage clubs to settle liabilities to creditors on a timely basis;
• enhance transparency in the money flow of clubs;
• enhance their ability to be proactive in assisting clubs with financial issues; and
• provide a starting point for club benchmarking at a national level for those licensors and clubs who want to develop this aspect.
For the clubs, the financial criteria should help to:
• improve the standards and quality of financial management and planning activities;
• enable better management decision-making;
• enhance clubs’ financial and business credibility with stakeholders;
• improve financial stability; and
• enhance revenue-generating ability and cost management.
Important words, and I trust the value and opportunity these regulations offer are now clear. Note bullet points 3 and 4, and that our top league currently does not have a sponsor. The SFA must ensure the integrity of competitions, discourage financial recklessness, and protect football for everyone. This is only possible with a clear, unambiguous statement that confirms club / company are one and the same thing.
To suggest a football club can in some way survive liquidation is to undermine the definition of what is a football club, one of the cornerstones of FIFA Club Licensing Regulations. For the SFA to suggest a football club can in some way survive liquidation, or allow this belief to go unchallenged, is a shameful dereliction of duty. It puts all of football in danger. We cannot allow this. There is too much at stake.
The poem ends thus:
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
The blind men were each partially right, though in their vanity / stubbornness / ignorance they failed to find the truth. There is a lesson for us all in this story. This may appear to be an attempt to renew the old club / new club debate. It is not. To see this as an opportunity to score points against Rangers fans is to completely miss the point – you have failed to find the truth.
This is global issue affecting one of the fundamentals of good governance. Good governance must be the beating heart of our game – ensuring good health and long life. I am looking at the here and now, and ahead into the future.
We must protect and promote ALL of the FIFA Club Licensing Regulations. To deny any part is to refuse to see the whole elephant, like the foolish blind men.
john clarke says: February 7, 2014 at 9:23 am
When an old friend of mine did his UEFA “B”(along with “Packie” Bonner) and “A” coaching badges with the SFA about 10-15 years ago he was shocked at the verbal abuse, physical intimidation and bullying directed towards the SFL/SPL U19 teams being coached by several professional Scottish managers.
I had thought that this sort of behaviour had become a thing of the past and sincerely hope the prompt dismissal of Willie Donachie by Newcastle FC will serve notice that such attitudes have no place in 21st century football coaching.
Valentine’s Day World Record ?
Is it still possible for Rangers to get into administration on 14th Feb again ?
Now that would be a world record worth having !
Or have they left it too late ?
Phil’s latest if true, (and I don’t see why it won’t be at least close), is explosive and the end is nigh.
Phil can’t just be dismissed as a bampot, he is a journalist and author with a track record on all things Rangers. We now have their potential, imminent demise being discussed openly in public, (if not by the msm). Surely this requires a rebuttal by official statement?
But, nothing coming out the club since Jack’s ranting’s earlier this week. Has even JI given up?
Are they able to muddle through and just trying to ignore what’s in the blogosphere or are they caught, like rabbits, frozen in the headlights, as the full horror of their predicament finally penetrates their Rangersness?
3. Zilch says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:29 am
==================================
All you say I agree with but I’d also include our main political parties in this. These loan shark shysters have been robbing people for years now and the government (s) response has been to talk about how terrible it is but do very little – and do that very slowly – about it.
Phil MacGiollaBhain @Pmacgiollabhain 31m
http://spfl.co.uk/docs/067_324__therulesofthespfl_1388495541.pdf …
It appear in these rules that VAT default is no biggie…
#LoopHole
SFA seem to ignore non payment of VAT as an issue, is this correct and how does that sit with UEFA?
EDIT page 40
slimshady61 says: February 7, 2014 at 8:57 am
If you read the editorial on pages 4 and 5 of CQN as well as the interview with Pat Nevin then I cannot see how you can still not accept that Pat was clearly “set up” by a BBC Scotland employee with an apparently abiding hatred of all things Celtic FC.
I support Pat and Celtic FC’s longstanding commitment to challenge racist or sectarian prejudice and consider that his comment in May 2011 is consistent with his determination to highlight the sectarianism that has plagued Glasgow for too long.
Just read Phil’s piece and I can only think that if he’s got anything of importance wrong both he and his internet host would have already been hit by legal action and Rangers would have him in court in probably both Scotland and Ireland.
You just cannot make the defamatory allegations that Phil is making without setting off a strong legal response unless the other party knows that you can rely on the absolute defence of Veritas IMO.
The seeming silence and lack of reaction from Ibrox tells its own story as far as I am concerned and no matter the outcome of the meeting apparently scheduled for tonight this shambles cannot be allowed to get beyond Monday. There is no doubt that if Phil is being given this info then so is AIM and they will be pressurising the NOMAD to get things sorted ASAP or they will be forced to act.
They won’t want to but if they don’t then they leave themselves open to action from shareholders if the share price collapses. They will also be left with another AIM PR disaster.
And, of course, silence from our own Defenders of Truth – the absolutely craven and useless SMSM. It’s hard to know how some of them can sleep at night.
Scottish NUJ members with anything to do with sport, business or politics should be shreeding their NUJ cards today and seeking honourable employment elsewhere. They are a disgrace to their profession. In less fortunate countries their colleagues are being imprisoned and percescuted for seeking out the truth of injustice and corruption. In Scotland they are drawing good salaries and turning a blind eye for personal financial reasons.
“Daddy, you were a journalist. What did you do when Rangers were going down for
the second time ?”
nowoldandgrumpy says: February 7, 2014 at 10:43 am
SPFL giving a lot more (i.e. too much) leeway for “clubs” to report default of NIC, PAYE and VAT than HMRC Debt Management Office Football Section.
In view of recent announcements by Wallace SPFL officers should be visiting Ibrox to check their finances in accordence with their Rule E30 – Inspection of Financial Records, which states:-
Every Club shall keep detailed financial records and the Company shall be entitled
to inspect such records and to require Clubs to provide copies of any financial or
other records which the Company may reasonably require in order to enable the
Company to investigate whether the Club has complied and is complying with these
Rules, the Articles, the Scottish FA Articles, the UEFA Statutes and the FIFA Statutes
and to ensure compliance by the Club with the same.”
ecobhoy says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:52 am
Just read Phil’s piece and I can only think that if he’s got anything of importance wrong both he and his internet host would have already been hit by legal action and Rangers would have him in court in probably both Scotland and Ireland.
===================
I agree. The fact that Phil’s piece is still up tells us all we need to know regarding the accuracy of his account.
I don’t see why Wallace would stick it out, though. His contract will be shredded with the rest, He won’t want his reputation to suffer the same fate. If he walks away now, he walks away with no blame attached. I just can’t see that he has any reason to hang around.
Slimshady61 says;
That was one of the most shameful episodes of bias by the BBC. Sadly Pat is part of the problem in most Celtic fans’ eyes
——————————————————————————————————————————-
This may well be true Slim……… precisely because he locates elements of the Celtic fan base as ‘part of the problem’…and the uncomfortable, indeed excruciating truth for Celtic fans is that as a Celtic fan who grew up in Glasgow, and has experienced, written and commented on racism/sectarianism in football he is more than qualified to make that call. The continued hate campaign aimed at Nevin for ‘breaking ranks’ does Celtic fans no favours!
Looks like not everyone reads Phil’s blog as on the LSE site a trade for the purchase of 100 shares took place this morning. I hope they don’t come to regret it 😆
Armageddon !
“Dundee United have eliminated bank debt in a deal which means the club is no longer under pressure to sell players.”
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26079931
ecobhoy says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:28 am
However, at the coal face these days journos are by-and-large told what to write and how to write it whether they are an NUJ member or not. (edited – previously quoted wrong bit from eco’s post)
====================================================
Eco – I was an NUJ member myself for some years and so can accept what you say about commercial agenda and de-skilling. The media may be populated by interns and press release processors. But why aren’t we hearing from the NUJ on the deplorable standard of journalism inScotland, shown so clearly by this saga. But journalism is not only about news corporations. Where are the non-corporate mavericks asking the obvious and incovenient questuions. Why is the intimidation of journalists accepted as the norm and not raised as a matter of national importance for a would-be independent country. Are the same standards acceptable for reporting on social and political issues? So many, many questions to ask and so little journalistic vigour.
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 9:29 am
‘…you’ll have to explain that one for me.’
————
Had to nip out for a while there, m.c.f.c.
It is my belief that whoever is in charge of BBC Scotland Sports broadcasting deliberately and as a matter of policy attempted to keep information about what was happening at RFC as much under wraps as possible
deliberately allowed people like CY ,JT, compromised ex-player pundits, and compromised former SFA people to get away with obfuscation of the truth
with propagandising to disguise the truth and shield from criticism those men , particularly SDM, whose reckless, irresponsible and ultimately cheating behaviour destroyed RFC;
and aided and abetted in the propagation of the BIG Lie that the new club sired in the murky, incestuous 5-way agreement is a legimate continuation of a club that in fact died
and that the new club is entitled to the trophies and titles won by cheating.
And further, it made damned sure that Douglas Fraser, the ‘business’ chap, did something less than a forensic examination of the whole sale-for-a-pound, the D&P Administration, the nonsense of a ‘new club’ accepting liability for some (only the football ) debts of a liquidated club, etc etc.
The ‘independent’ BBC Scotland, which you and I pay for, behaved in every way ( but perhaps more subtly) like a partisan daily newspaper.
That is my view.
So Wallace has been incommunicado all week and Phil has been journalising. Now Wallace has called/been called to a summit at the Dunfermline match and Phil is on a rocky road somewhere till Wednesday.
Memebers of the Jury, my learned friends, I put it to you sir…
Have the two of them ever been seen in the same room together? 😯
On DUtd and Jim Spence’s article.
Before the rabble are roused I assume, which is always dangerous, that the term loan was fully drawn and the overdraft facility was not fully used thus the ‘settlement at a lower figure.’ On first read it almost comes across that debt was written off and I would be very surprised if that was the case. Interest due possibly, early repayment penalty waived possibly, but capital outstanding I would be very surprised at.
Maybe someone could tweetify Jim to clarify
Pictish says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:14 am
” I know that TSFM said that discussion of this incident should be closed”
—————————
I don’t think such advice will have been issued in an attempt to stifle debate. Debate is healthy if it can eventually lead to constructive conclusions or parties can agree amicably to differ. The problem here is that the debate might get out of hand and create rather than quell rivalries.
I suspect that the SMSM would be quite happy to fill their comics with pictures of brawling Celtic and Aberdeen fans. Even a minor scuffle could be made to look like a riot. I hope for the sake of the game that people can stand away from their instinctive animosities and be aware of wider implications. This is a finely sprung trap ready to ensnare the hapless supporter that gets carried away by the atmosphere. It will be very difficult to reign in such emotions.
If the match goes off without incident the this will send a clear signal to those that thrive on discontent that they do not have the upper hand.
Lennon has indicated that he has moved on and the incident was not significant. If the supporters of both clubs can do the same then they will be showing a maturity that many in the game are crying out for.
Liquidation, what are SKY,s views on this. Keep history or lose history? Any close calls in the past?
http://t.co/gbcS4l5e0S
Lose history, aw well who would have thought that.
Sorry forgot, you can buy history in Govan like you can buy a club in the poundshop.
Maybe they should buy integrity and see how that pans out.
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:07 am
3 0 Rate This
nowoldandgrumpy says: February 7, 2014 at 10:43 am
I do not think HMRC will view it the same as a compliant SFA. Strange how the more you read the rues the more you come to the conclusion that they are drawn up in order to assist a certain club. You could also think that they have been drawn up in the knowledge that a certain new club will have a severe financial event and must be assisted at all costs.
Were the chairmen of the SPFL aware of these rule changes and were their lawyers all out to lunch when they were drawn up?
Did the SPFL chairmen even bother reading them?
A “Rangers team can still survive out of this compost heap.
It will be a “Rangers” team who abandons Ibrokes and disgraced Knighthood Park, buys eleven jerseys and a Ba’,.and gets itself three years audited accounts before applying to the senior game.
A team which would be admired, and grudgingly respected. They would maybe only draw a few thousand in attendances, but that would grow with its fortunes, but it would still be a phenominal support, and income, at that level. Without doing that I fear they are doomed.
The irony is, if they had followed that route originally, as per the rules, they could have been applying to join the bigger boys at the end of next season.
The landscape of Scottish fitba’,.would be much as it is now, but their position within it, and standing would be so very, very different.
I think everybody would have expected a wee blind eye turned here and there. I would hope Hearts benefit from a few honest mistakes, and be advised and assisted, by a respectably governed SFA. but the cases are not comparable.
The Rangers situation was of a magnitude too great to ignore. It was willful and corrupt to the core. The “leniency” was a bridge too far.
I fear the eleven jerseys and a ba’ route, is all they have left…….And the history of course!
arabest1 says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:11 am
This may well be true Slim……… precisely because he locates elements of the Celtic fan base as ‘part of the problem’…and the uncomfortable, indeed excruciating truth for Celtic fans is that as a Celtic fan who grew up in Glasgow, and has experienced, written and commented on racism/sectarianism in football he is more than qualified to make that call. The continued hate campaign aimed at Nevin for ‘breaking ranks’ does Celtic fans no favours!
———————–
This is party true Arabest and I agree, it does us no favours. But I, and most Celtic fans I know (and that is a lot, split between both standard and business fans) don’t have a problem facing the truth about the negative side of our support, most of us agree on that. The problem we have with ex-Celtic players is that they seem very keen to have a go at Celtic but never go after Rangers the same way. Whereas all ex-Rangers players seem only to praise or defend their club.
Most us just don’t understand that mentality.
Imagine picking up the Daily Record every day and hearing ex-Dundee players praising the Club and having a go at United then you Flick the page and there are ex-United players coming out and also having a go at them…..
Apart from having a heart attack due to the Daily Record affording your team any time, you would be seriously pissed off.
It’s not about Nevin, I actually quite like the guy. It’s about balance and agendas… and more importantly, who is setting and controlling that agenda, maybe we are having a go at the wrong person.
nowoldandgrumpy says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:28 am
Did the SPFL chairmen even bother reading them?
————————–
No, they were too busy reading the proposal* about any newco situations mid season bringing about relegation, or, at the very least, non promotion.
It does seem to be taking a long time to get them to the end and to form an opinion right enough 👿
* and yes I know that was a Charlotte release and therefore questionable provenance. Doesn’t change the impact its non implementation potentially will have though.
Oh and Cast of Thousands, 110% correct.
bards says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:15 am
Armageddon !
“Dundee United have eliminated bank debt in a deal which means the club is no longer under pressure to sell players.”
==========================================
Shirley “Arabmageddon”?
Scottish Football needs a strong HMRC.
slimshady61 says:
February 7, 2014 at 8:57 am
“Sadly Pat is part of the problem in most Celtic fans’ eyes; he is erudite, well-spoken and telegenic and allowed that to be used to promote other people’s prejudices.”
————————-
I agree that Pat Nevin in an attempt to be all things to all men spreads himself too thinly and can come across as anodyne and insipid. Peacemakers never have the same charisma as the sabre rattlers and can sometimes be bent out of shape in their attempts to see both sides of the argument.
Pat was trying to take the sting out of a situation and defaulted to his own personal morality when caught in a tricky situation. I can see that Celtic supporters in hindsight might feel he was being taken advantage of and should have stepped away from making any meaningful comment. However surely that is one of the concerns within discrimination; too many people just feel its not their problem.
Even in retrospect the the singing of old battle hymns at a football match is still contentious irrespective of the emotion they conjure up or the familiarity of the melody. The BBC may have acted in a cack-handed and possibly sinister fashion in introducing the topic but that is where the whole controversy has stemmed from. Pat was caught in a trap and squealed as he felt its jaws close around him.
Castofthousands
Lennon has indicated that he has moved on and the incident was not significant.
————————————————————————————————————
Madbhoy24941 says:
All fair comment Madbhoy, it is a complex issue, but as far as I can see Nevin has consistently condemned bigotry across a number of arenas, and is IMO….more part of the solution than part of the problem.
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:47 am
12 7 Rate This
slimshady61 says: February 7, 2014 at 8:57 am
If you read the editorial on pages 4 and 5 of CQN as well as the interview with Pat Nevin then I cannot see how you can still not accept that Pat was clearly “set up” by a BBC Scotland employee with an apparently abiding hatred of all things Celtic FC.
I support Pat and Celtic FC’s longstanding commitment to challenge racist or sectarian prejudice and consider that his comment in May 2011 is consistent with his determination to highlight the sectarianism that has plagued Glasgow for too long.
___________________________________________________________
Could anyone who has given a thumbs down to this post please explain their rationale?
The Dundee Utd support will now expect that the club will be able to keep a hold of their better players a little longer unless funny money is offered. If they can then this is a very positive move for them although it might come with an increased wagebill.
What the club could also do with is an extra 1200 (x18) on the gate.
GJ
Any ideas how they could do that?
Smugas
Playing good football and winning matches would be a start.
Regarding DUtd., I think a lot depends on how McNamara develops as a manager and then if he were to do well, how long he stays at Tannadice.
john clarke says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:15 am
That is my view.
=====================================================
JC – I don’t have the privilege of watching or listening to BBC Scotland – but from much I’ve heard on here, it appears to be extended PR rather than journalism. Without meaning to be rude – I find the BBC World Service very objective – if a little earnest – maybe when you guys get Independence we could extend the World Service to Scotland 🙂 (ducks for cover ! !!!)
jimlarkin says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:14 am
Sorry to be pedantic
===================================================================
fair do’s mate – but it makes a better headline if you ignore the factual details 🙂
m.c.f.c. says: February 7, 2014 at 12:06 pm
You can tune in via the BBC iPlayer Radio facility and listen to podcasts via the following link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/scotfoot
Greenock Jack says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Smugas
Playing good football and winning matches would be a start.
Regarding DUtd., I think a lot depends on how McNamara develops as a manager and then if he were to do well, how long he stays at Tannadice.
—————————————-
I don’t quite follow. Is there a reason they weren’t doing this before? The good football and winning I mean. Why would you go out of your way not to achieve this?
I agree on Macnamara – but thats nothing new for a provincial club – in fact any club tbh
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/mccoist-sure-rangers-will-look-at-king-s-offer-1-3281444?WT.mc_id=Outbrain_text&obref=obinsite
Interesting article, another PR piece riddled with inaccuracies. Dave King lost £20M – no he didn’t. The company which owned Rangers – who would that be? Lots of quotes, but did he ask any of the questions? Craig Forbes is clearly one of The Rangers’ pet press persons. Try this one for size:
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/rangers-to-hold-talks-with-cypriot-athos-solomou-1-3263212
Another PR puff piece on behalf of Rangers. Do you think he wrote either piece, or straight cut-n-paste? Some people have no sense of shame.
john clarke says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:15 am
It is my belief that whoever is in charge of BBC Scotland Sports broadcasting deliberately and as a matter of policy attempted to keep information about what was happening at RFC as much under wraps as possible
deliberately allowed people like CY ,JT, compromised ex-player pundits, and compromised former SFA people to get away with obfuscation of the truth
with propagandising to disguise the truth and shield from criticism those men , particularly SDM, whose reckless, irresponsible and ultimately cheating behaviour destroyed RFC;
and aided and abetted in the propagation of the BIG Lie that the new club sired in the murky, incestuous 5-way agreement is a legimate continuation of a club that in fact died
and that the new club is entitled to the trophies and titles won by cheating.
And further, it made damned sure that Douglas Fraser, the ‘business’ chap, did something less than a forensic examination of the whole sale-for-a-pound, the D&P Administration, the nonsense of a ‘new club’ accepting liability for some (only the football ) debts of a liquidated club, etc etc.
The ‘independent’ BBC Scotland, which you and I pay for, behaved in every way ( but perhaps more subtly) like a partisan daily newspaper.
That is my view.
=============================================================================
JC – more seriously – I can’t imagine this kind of approach down here. The media is hungry for a story, always looking for an angle, always looking for a scoop, always looking to get one over on competitors. A very good thing if regulated intelligently. Although, like capitalism, that evolutionary vigour can go to unacceptable extremes if not – as is clearly has with hacking etc. None of that seems to happen in Scotland – at least in relation to Rangers (in all its forms). It feels like a very comfy, cosy community of job-for-life media types chatting the hours away, not wishing to offend their elders, betters and benefactors. But more importantly, able to wave away criticism – because their bosses are of the same type and do not need to give a damn what a minority of little people think. The print media is on borrowed time, so that problem will solve itself in time. However, it’s a sad state of affairs for an publiclly funded organization forged by a Scotsman to “educate, inform, entertain”. It will take determined efforts to fix that – and I won’t be holding my breath.
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:19 pm
m.c.f.c. says: February 7, 2014 at 12:06 pm
You can tune in via the BBC iPlayer Radio facility and listen to podcasts via the following link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/scotfoot
===========================================================================
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis – I knew someone was going to say that – ok – I’ll accept that challenge – but I’ll have to wear headphones – Mrs Mcfc is already bemused by my “obsession” – it’s being clocked up against my football hour count 🙂 She occasionally asks how it’s going – not quite sure why – and I see her eye glaze over before I get to the end of “Well their FD has just left, and the share price is rock bottom and their running out of cash and need extra funding but ….”
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:40 pm
We share your pain !!!!
TSFM Why is my Laughing Face emoticon not working?
m.c.f.c. , I share John’s concerns about the BBC but disagree with his conclusion that poor/non-reporting of the omnishambles is a matter of policy, just my opinion. Parochialism there certainly is, and certainly partial reporting, it’s a small country after all.
However, I’m a bit surprised at your view (as shown above) – has there never been a football manager working in Manchester who banned certain reporters from media conferences? What about Newcastle? I’m hope that you’re not applying the scepticism that you’ve evidenced on this blog to matters that relate only to TRFC. I’m sure there’s plenty of discussion to be had on the City of Manchester Stadium naming scam and state aid for Man City and West Ham through subsidised stadia. I’m not reading too much about that in the MSM or seeing any TV documentaries on these subjects.
Mcfc
The trick is to put on the headphones and settle in to the podcast but every so often hum some One Direction tunelessly, if that’s possible.
Scottish Football need Humprey Littleton back
If Humph’s still in business so are Rangers.
In the wider world
Most people can point to instances when “No Comment” or “Refused to Comment” is all the MSM are able to report after pursuing a key figure for information
With one exception
SSB last night defended the allegation that they never ask awkward questions at Ibrox
The answer was breathtaking ( I paraphrase)
” No reply is frequently given to awkward questions. Indeed, Journalists are not being given credit for tackling difficult issues with tough questions”
Which poses the obvious question
“Since when has a refusal to answer been considered not worth reporting ?
Is this a universal policy applied only to Ibrox ?
Or is this some convention applied to Scottish football?
i.e.
“We ask the questions the fans want to hear answered”
But
“Not only do we do nothing if we get brushed aside we don’t even report that the question was asked”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I exclude Archie McPherson from the above.
Archie has a mind of his own and will speak out if he is getting the brush off
It’s not just football. Derek Bateman gives BBC Scotland a doing several times a day over its coverage of independence on a blog he writes these days. It’s very interesting, given how well he knows the institution and the characters involved.
Ah yes, Humph, one of the immortals. Of course he’s deid noo.
Parallels?
Castofthousands says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:26 am
Pictish says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:14 am
” I know that TSFM said that discussion of this incident should be closed”
—————————
I don’t think such advice will have been issued in an attempt to stifle debate. Debate is healthy if it can eventually lead to constructive conclusions or parties can agree amicably to differ. The problem here is that the debate might get out of hand and create rather than quell rivalries.
I suspect that the SMSM would be quite happy to fill their comics with pictures of brawling Celtic and Aberdeen fans. Even a minor scuffle could be made to look like a riot. I hope for the sake of the game that people can stand away from their instinctive animosities and be aware of wider implications. This is a finely sprung trap ready to ensnare the hapless supporter that gets carried away by the atmosphere. It will be very difficult to reign in such emotions.
If the match goes off without incident the this will send a clear signal to those that thrive on discontent that they do not have the upper hand.
Lennon has indicated that he has moved on and the incident was not significant. If the supporters of both clubs can do the same then they will be showing a maturity that many in the game are crying out for.
——————————
TSFM issued the advice just as the debate was getting interesting. A prominent poster/blogger on here had just issued a blog repeating and embellishing the Chick Young ‘exclusive’. He accused the Aberdeen fans of ‘anti-Irish racism’ when that patently wasn’t the case. As far as I know there has been no retraction of these accusations even after Lennon himself said no sectarianism was involved. At this point we are asked to kindly stop debating the topic, just as it looked like certain individuals may be embarrased by their jumping on the Chick Young bandwagon.
It’s not as you say it “a finely sprung trap”, it’s lazy and irresponsible journalism.
john clarke says: February 7, 2014 at 9:23 am
Further to my post at 10:28 am the SPFL Under 19s Code of Conduct is shown as Appendix 4 on pages 90-92 of http://spfl.co.uk/docs/067_324__therulesofthespfl_1388495541.pdf includes the following:
The Club agrees to provide
– A safe environment in which the Player can learn and develop without fear of abuse
Presumably the monitoring and reporting of any “incidents” is covered in the “Scottish FA Youth Initiative Regulations” refered to in a later bullet point.
I figure 3 months
VAT to be about 500-800k.
Shoulda sold a leftback.
blu says:
February 7, 2014 at 1:00 pm
has there never been a football manager working in Manchester who banned certain reporters from media conferences? What about Newcastle?
================================================================================
fair point – the BBC’s handling of Ferguson’s non-cooperation was a disgrace – pure cowardice. I and many others complained,to no obvious effect. Control freaks will always try to intimidate the media – and United had the power to do that – but how much is it helping them now ?
But let’s be honest that’s an entirely different scale of things. The Glazer’s takeover was analyzed and criticize across the media (football and business) as was Shinawatra’s and Mansour’s. The United green and yellow protest was well reported. The media will never be perfect to everyone’s satisfaction or even anyone’s satisfaction, But when the only meaningful questions about Rangers (in all their forms) are being asked from the safety of other countries by an Englishman and an Irishman then things are clearly in a very poor state.
Saw the discussion earlier re the bullying of U19s.
I recall an interview with Eric Black who came up through the ranks at Pittodrie under Fergie.
Recalling one of many Fergie blowouts, usually involving whatever hot drink receptacles were to hand, I paraphrase through lack of memory…”It was only once I left Aberdeen and went to a different club that I realised actually no, not all dressing rooms are like that at all”
Smugas says:
February 7, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Mcfc
The trick is to put on the headphones and settle in to the podcast but every so often hum some One Direction tunelessly, if that’s possible.
Scottish Football need Humprey Littleton back
============================================================================
Good plan – do any of their songs go “what the f**k are you talking about man” or “no, no, no complete and utter bollocks you f**k wit”
blu says:
February 7, 2014 at 1:00 pm
I’m sure there’s plenty of discussion to be had on the City of Manchester Stadium naming scam and state aid for Man City and West Ham through subsidised stadia. I’m not reading too much about that in the MSM or seeing any TV documentaries on these subjects.
===============================================================================
Blu – specifically on that point. The City story is ten years old – if there is one. City are big enough that they attract global media e.g. current FFP complains from other clubs. I would put considerable money on the fact that if a journo wrote or broadcast about that he would not be threatened for doing so in the streets of Manchester when out with his family.. And if that did happen, there’d be absolute uproar about it – and extra coverage of the original issue. The West Ham story may have legs – we’ll see. But the idea that it is being hushed up by a compliant media is just plain silly, given the coverage so far.
Last time we had an Olympic Opening Ceremony – The 5-way disgrace was announced.
Amongst other gems of `probity` within that stitched up farrago;
LeVerts financial spiv-plans for Ibrox were approved – oops!
& CW would not be involved at all – funny that
2 Hour till next Ceremony
.
DEFCON3
m.c.f.c. – I’m sure what you say (shown in bold above) is right but I think that is a different point from the one made in your original post about the media. I’m certain that top level clubs in England have engaged Sue Grabbit and Runne to shut down investigations into their business model. They’ve certainly used media management companies. I’ll give you David Conn, but what other sports writers are providing in-depth investigation into football finances and ownership in English football?
blu says:
February 7, 2014 at 2:06 pm
===========================================================================
Running a multi-billion pound business without media management would be negligent..Football finances are not a big story until it it all goes wrong – you’ll find plenty of coverage of United’s deb burden, Leeds’ crash and Portsmouth repeated re-structuring – oh and ground-less Coventry. Success stories like City recently are much less interesting.
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:40 pm
“Mrs Mcfc is already bemused by my “obsession” – it’s being clocked up against my football hour count 🙂 She occasionally asks how it’s going – not quite sure why – and I see her eye glaze over before I get to the end of “Well their FD has just left, and the share price is rock bottom and their running out of cash and need extra funding but” ….
______________________________________________________________________________________
Same here… 😀
Always enjoy your comments m.c.f.c
I often wonder how a ManCity fan ever managed to get interested in the Rangers saga.
Pictish says:
No. I issued the request AFTER reprimanding the poster who posted some vile stuff about Hearts and also pointed out that NL had himself had said there was no sectarian component to the affair, and had downplayed the incident.
There were accusations about Aberdeen supporters which were rebutted by fans of Celtic and others.
No prominent poster or blogger on TSFM has posted as you say, but if you can point out to me anywhere on TSFM a post which does, please let me know.
In contrast to the BBC, TSFM members corrected the message almost immediately and since Neil Lennon himself didn’t think it worthy of protracted debate, we asked for the chat about it to close down.
RE Dundee United’s debts.
Might I be so bold as to make a positive post? 😉
Rewind to 2012, when there was an audible thud reverberating around all stakeholders in the Scottish game. Was this us hitting the bottom? Its ‘biggest’ club on death row….the national team in the doldrums…..the administrators predicting armageddon and even social unrest……Jim Traynor the self styled doyen of Scottish football’s press pack insisted this will be a contagion….. 6 clubs in the top flight will be in administration by October 2012, due to the death of RFC and the TV deals will die without the Bears.
The past few seasons have witnessed clubs scale down expenditure, invest in young players and youth systems……gates up for 8 out of 12 clubs, some by significant numbers. A couple of clubs of who followed the path of Walternomics have gone into admin, but will return (hopefully).
These positives are far from insignificant….. they are the green shoots of recovery. Perhaps we should put our collective ambitions for glory and success on sabbatical for a couple of seasons in a period that continues to promote home bred youngsters to our first teams, free from pressure, to see if they can make the leap from boys to men in terms of European and international fixtures.
Where does the Govan club feature? they could be part of this and they may well get another opportunity to re-calibrate a club to more modest ambitions, but first they must jettison the superiority that still bleeds from every pore. Ally’s petulant, passive aggressive sense of entitlement this week is destructive, and ultimately self defeating in the face of the current fiscal terrain.
Many challenges lie ahead, but IMO we are moving in the right direction, with or without Das Volk!
Looks like Phil’s blog is now being carried into the SMSM……………finally!
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/rumour-mill-mccoist-lennon-rangers-mccann-1-3297963
Rangers ‘heading for controlled insolvency’ claim
Rangers are living hand to mouth and risk heading towards administration for the second time in two years, according to a blog post claiming to unveil the dire extent of Rangers’ finances.
According to the report, Laxey Partners, Rangers’ largest shareholder, are allegedly pushing for a “controlled insolvency” in the wake of a range of spending cuts planned by chief executive Graham Wallace.
The blog post goes on the allege that contracts supposedly signed by former chief executive Craig Mather have left the club with crippling contractual obligations that only administration would sever.
Directors have also been allegedly providing liquidiity to the club in order to “keep the lights on.” (philmacgiollabhain.ie)
TSFM, I’m fully behind how you and other admins dealt with discussion of the goings on at Tynecastle last week but I think we know that Pictish was referring to this: http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/neil-lennon-at-tynecastle/. And he’s right. Maybe it should be challenged there though.
Carntyne says:
February 7, 2014 at 2:20 pm
I often wonder how a ManCity fan ever managed to get interested in the Rangers saga.
==================================================================
thanks for the kind comments. I read the BBC’s Football Gossip page every day .The English version used to include the Scottish Gossip and although it was of no interest to me, after a while I couldn’t help noticing all the directors coming and going at Rangers. Started reading a bit more about it and found the SMSM coverage unsatisfying, so hunted around a bit and found Random Thoughts (sadly missed), RTC and TSFM. Just got hooked on all the intrigue: football, finances, politics, Scottish social attitudes (which i thought I understood) and the rest. it’s the most interesting story off the pitch in football – ever – in my opinion – so for someone with natural nosiness it became a casual obsession – drives me mad to see professional journalist ignoring all the different angles, sub-plots, colourful characters, twists and turns, arcane detail – absolutely unbelievable.
edit – should add that I first used “mcfc” on Random Thoughts to identify myself as neutral – just commenting and questioning from afar – although still got plenty of “banter” from the trolls for being a F I B. Well I guess to some, everyone who asks the obvious questions must be that.
Exiled Celt says:
February 7, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Looks like Phil’s blog is now being carried into the SMSM……………finally!
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/rumour-mill-mccoist-lennon-rangers-mccann-1-3297963
================================================================
Interesting they seem to have slipped that item into the article since it was first put up at 9:30ish – don’t remember seeing that section then.- maybe wrong. Either way, you’d have thought the topic justifies its own article with headline and named author.
Rumour Mill: McCoist | Lennon | Rangers | McCann The Scotsman 09:31
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Scottish+League+One/Rangers
MoreCelticParanoia says:
February 7, 2014 at 2:28 pm
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:28 am
“I wouldn’t rule out another nine in a row and Walter still going strong at 69. He did well with a mediocre Everton team and my biggest fear for United is he has once again built a strong Rangers.” (Says Kevin Gallacher)
==================================================================
This wasn’t quite how I remembered it with Everton. I seem to recall them just avoiding relegation in at least one season.
From the Wiki page :
“After leaving Rangers at the end of the 1997–98 season, he was appointed manager of Premier League club Everton. He was in charge at Goodison Park for four seasons before he was sacked in 2002.”
“Everton
Initially Smith was linked with the managers job at Sheffield Wednesday,[8] but false promises made to him by the Everton chairman of massive transfer funds and unlimited ambition lured Smith to Goodison Park.[8] Smith spent money on players only to discover that it was money the club did not have.[8] When Duncan Ferguson was sold behind Smith’s back, he was tempted to quit.[8] The remainder of his time at Everton revolved around selling the club’s top players to balance the books.[8]
Under Smith, Everton finished in the bottom half of the table for three consecutive seasons. The Everton board finally ran out of patience with Smith and he was sacked in March 2002 after an “abject”[8] 3–0 FA Cup Sixth Round defeat to Middlesbrough, with Everton in some danger of relegation from the Premier League.[9] He was replaced by David Moyes, who delivered Everton to a safe finish in fifteenth place.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Smith
Mmmm….
“….false promises made to him by the Everton chairman of massive transfer funds and unlimited ambition lured Smith to Goodison Park…. Smith spent money on players only to discover that it was money the club did not have…”
Where have we heard that before? So Walternomics goes back even further…
Scottish Football needs a strong Arbroath.
Congrats Arabest1 – seems Armageddon is only really being happening down Govan way after all….
On a similar tract, Celtic just released their interim financial figures – no mention of the trillions owed to Co-Op or the GCC…….
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=5398
Celtic plc Interim Report 2013
By: Newsroom Staff on 07 Feb, 2014 14:17
CELTIC plc have released the interim report for the six months to December 31, 2013.
Operational Highlights
• Progression to group stages of the Champions League.
• Currently unbeaten in the SPFL Premiership and top of the league.
• Breaking long standing record for number of consecutive clean sheets.
• Academy continues to be successful; over 70 internationalists at Under 21 level and below.
• Multi-million pound investment in the area around Celtic Park, benefiting supporters and the local community.
• Launch of the Kerrydale Bar, Café 1888 and new family stand.
• Installation of a full stadium Wi-Fi network with accompanying matchday application.
Financial Highlights
• Revenue decreased by 11% to £44.8m (2012: £50.1m).
• Operating expenses decreased by 7% to £34.3m (2012: £37.0m).
• Profit from trading before asset transaction and exceptional operating expenses of £10.5m (2012: £13.1m).
• Exceptional costs of £2.3m (2012: nil).
• Profit on disposal of intangible assets £16.5m (2012: £5.2m).
• Profit before taxation of £21.3m (2012:£ 14.9m).
• Period end net cash at bank of £5.7m (2012: £0.1m net bank debt).
• Investment in football personnel of £5.0m (2012: £4.7m).
• 16 home fixtures (2012: 19).
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
I am pleased to report on our financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2013. The introductory page to these interim results summarises the main highlights.
We have enjoyed another highly successful period on the football pitch. As we report today, we are comfortably at the top of the SPFL Premiership, having enjoyed an excellent run of results in the league, remaining unbeaten and having broken a long standing record for the number of consecutive clean sheets.
Having won the Scottish Premier League title in season 2012/13, we qualified once again for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. Our reputation as a leading club in European football has been enhanced by that success. These results reflect the financial benefit of participation in the group stages of the Champions League for a second year in a row, coupled with successful management of the playing squad.
Revenue dropped for the period to £44.8m (2012: £50.1m). The decrease compared to last year’s results at this stage largely reflects the impact of our decision to make the £100 reward for adult season ticket packages, together with playing three fewer home matches in the period and accumulating fewer points in the Champions League group stages, resulting in reduced UEFA distributions.
Operating expenses for the period decreased by 7% to £34.3m, leading to a profit from trading, before asset transactions and exceptional operating expenses of £10.5m (2012: £13.1m). Exceptional operating expenses in the period of £2.3m relate to an impairment charge.
Prudent investment in, and management of, our playing squad is a key component of the club’s strategy. In line with that strategy, we continued to invest in the playing squad, with £5.0m invested, an increase from last year (2012: £4.7m). Our profit on disposal of intangible assets of £16.5m, in comparison to a profit of £5.2m last year, largely reflects the transfers of Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Kelvin Wilson. Together with ongoing investment in our Academy, the identification and creation of Champions League quality players remains fundamental to Celtic. Following the end of the period, during the 2014 January transfer window, further investment was made, securing the signing of the highly rated players Holmbert Fridjonsson, Stefan Johansen and Leigh Griffiths.
As at 31st December 2013, net cash at bank was £5.7m. Our profit before taxation for the half year was £21.3m, an increase of over 40% on the same period last year.
There is little doubt that this is a robust set of interim results and they reflect a club that is in excellent financial health.
The strategy of the Board is unchanged; our overwhelming priority is to win the SPFL Premiership and to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and beyond; we seek to give our manager the best tools for the job, within the constraints of our economic environment; we aim to create value by investing in our youth academy and by acquiring players that we can develop; and in terms of the finances we seek to live within our means. All of this helps us prepare for the future and the economic uncertainties, which have had such a devastating effect on many other football clubs.
Our Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, is serving as a Director of the Scottish FA, while our Financial Director, Eric Riley, serves as a Director of the Scottish Professional Football League. The structural and financial difficulties that face Scottish football are well documented and it is fair to say that the outlook for the game is challenging. I am gratified that Peter and Eric can make a contribution to overcoming the obstacles that lie ahead.
Looking forward to the second half, as with previous years, trading performance in the remaining months of this financial year will not be at the same level as that in the first six months (or the comparable period in 2013), with fewer home matches scheduled, no Champions League participation and lower gain on player sales.
A key focus for the year will be our continued investment in Celtic Park, not only for our own supporters’ experience on match days, but also for the benefit of the wider community. In January we opened a dedicated facility for disabled supporters and, throughout the year, we look forward to delivering further projects, including development of our Wi-Fi system, safe standing areas and the new landscaped and public realm area to the front of Celtic Park. In addition, we will continue to support Celtic FC Foundation in its very important charitable work, which provides assistance in key priority areas of health, equality, learning and poverty.
This has been another very active spell for the club and my profound thanks and appreciation go to Neil Lennon and his backroom staff, all of the players, executive management and staff, who are committed to ensuring that Celtic is a world class football club. Most importantly, I pay tribute to the fans, whose support, encouragement and dedication is second to none.
Ian P Bankier
Chairman
7 February 2014
TSFM says:
February 7, 2014 at 2:32 pm
In contrast to the BBC, TSFM members corrected the message almost immediately and since Neil Lennon himself didn’t think it worthy of protracted debate, we asked for the chat about it to close down.
—————————————-
I know you run a tight ship TSFM but there remained an obvious question to be asked of Neil Lennon and/or his agent. As he stated himself he doesn’t think it worthy of protracted debate. Was he the only one slighted during the incident and the subsequent 24 hours before he made his statement? What about the thousands of Aberdeen fans who had enjoyed a day out only to be accused of being a bunch of sectarian, spitting animals?
At what point during the conversation between Neil Lennon, his agent and the BBC clown did the words sectarian and spitting appear?
arabest1 says:
February 7, 2014 at 11:11 am
———————————————-
Arabest, I agree entirely that there are sections of the Celtic support that are an embarrassment, partly because of what they sing and partly because most of them weren’t even around when the events of which they sing took place, which was only 30 odd years ago.
But with respect you have entirely missed my point which was solely to do with events of Scottish Cup Final day 2011.
During the first, there was not one song sung that could remotely be described as sectarian. Yet at half time during the showpiece event of the Scottish football season, as Celtic were about to end the season on a high note after the disappointmen of throwing away the league to their then Glasgow rivals, a story came from a production assistant into the ear of Rob McLean, a story which the production assistant ensure the half time discussion would focus not on football, and not even on something that had happened, but a fiction. It was the first and only time in my more than 46 years of watching Scottish football on TV, that I can recall such a thing happening.
When we read in July last year that Jack Irvine had a briefing meeting with BBC Sporscene officials 4 days before the 2011 cup final, for no apparent reason, we were entitled to feel a grave disservice had been done to Celtic and indeed to Scottish football.
That Pat Nevin contributed to this farce and did not immediately afterwards, on reviewing the facts, come out and disassociate himself from what had happened is what has darkened his reputation in the eyes of most fair-minded Celtic supporters.
We’ve had enough bias from the BBC over the years, from the days of Peter Thompson onwards, to be rightly suspicious of what goes in that organisation from time to time.
Let’s see what comments if any are made at tonight’s game, of course only in the unlikely event that any unsavoury songs are sung.
Exiled Celt says: February 7, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Just spotted this from The Scotsman Rumour Mill article:
Ally McCoist riled by Ibrox League Cup ‘snub’
RANGERS manager Ally McCoist has questioned the authority of Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster in the decision to stage next month’s League Cup final at Celtic Park.
McCoist said: “Call me an old cynic but I didn’t fancy our chances of getting the League Cup final,” said McCoist. “I did say to our chief executive Graham Wallace that, if we were allowed to bet, to get a few quid on the final not being at Ibrox. Neil Doncastler, or indeed whoever is running the SPFL, made the decision. That’s something they’ll have to live with.”
Mr Lunney what are you going to do about Mr McCoist’s continued undermining of the SPFL’s integrity, surely this is bringing the game into disrepute?
Exiled Celt says:
February 7, 2014 at 3:05 pm
========================
EC, I’ll bite my tongue and respect the mods request to move on.
There may be more value in discussing whether this is a watershed event for bampots (and of course PMG himself) when the Scotsman is prepared to include a story from him on its site (as pointed out by Exiled Celt). Maybe they’ve got a bit fed up of Media House?
Dundee Utd wipe out all of their debt; Celtic report more than £5 mm cash in the bank; the League Cup Winners will come from outside Glasgow for the third season in a row; what a sorry state of affairs
So, wee question – for the Jambo’s mostly
I only today picked up the the Skacel story (after listening to clydes SSD podcast this morning – they couldn’t throw any light on the rules etc, but suggested Hearts broke the SPIRIT of the rule – at which point i nearly did myself an injury laughing…..breaking the spirit of the rules eh? Anyway)
Apparently Hearts moved on reserve keeper alan Coombe and tried to bring in Skacel. In line with the 1 out, 1 in policy.
this was knocked back by the SPFL.
so, can anyone explain why?
my (poor) understanding was that they could only sign a player if they had released one. (whilst in administration) and that the new player had to be on less money.
if anyone can point me to the rule and the reasoning given i would be most appreciative.
Fair enough if there was no rule to allow this, or if hearts didn’t comply with the rule, but if the rule is so badly worded that it relies on hearts breaking the spirit of the rule – then they really should hang their head in shame after all we have seen recently)
ta
gamesabogey says:
February 7, 2014 at 3:49 pm
2 0 Rate This
Dundee Utd wipe out all of their debt; Celtic report more than £5 mm cash in the bank; the League Cup Winners will come from outside Glasgow for the third season in a row; what a sorry state of affairs
——————————————–
And long may it continue . Hearts and Dunfermline’s successful CVA exits were fantastic news also . The Armageddon seems to have been safely contained within the four corners of a certain stadium . Obviously the SFA have came out of this looking like lumpy-carpet owning fools but FAN power can repair that situation .
On the subject of the SFA , why don’t Scottish fans boycott internationals until the three amigos(Regan , Doncaster and RC Ogilvie) are ousted ?
hamemadesoup says:
February 7, 2014 at 4:14 pm
1 0 Rate This
gamesabogey says:
February 7, 2014 at 3:49 pm
2 0 Rate This
Dundee Utd wipe out all of their debt; Celtic report more than £5 mm cash in the bank; the League Cup Winners will come from outside Glasgow for the third season in a row; what a sorry state of affairs
——————————————–
And long may it continue . Hearts and Dunfermline’s successful CVA exits were fantastic news also . The Armageddon seems to have been safely contained within the four corners of a certain stadium . Obviously the SFA have came out of this looking like lumpy-carpet owning fools but FAN power can repair that situation .
On the subject of the SFA , why don’t Scottish fans boycott internationals until the three amigos(Regan , Doncaster and RC Ogilvie) are ousted ?
===========================================
there has been one club severely damaged by the financial collapse of Rangers FC PLC
and that club is…………The Rangers Football CLUB Ltd – Sevco.
blu says:
February 7, 2014 at 3:44 pm
5 0 Rate This
Exiled Celt says:
February 7, 2014 at 3:05 pm
========================
EC, I’ll bite my tongue and respect the mods request to move on.
There may be more value in discussing whether this is a watershed event for bampots (and of course PMG himself) when the Scotsman is prepared to include a story from him on its site (as pointed out by Exiled Celt). Maybe they’ve got a bit fed up of Media House?
—————————————–
Can you imagine the permarage on Jack Irvine’s coupon when he sees that the Scotsman have got the bampots on speed-dial ?
NTHM<
Don't know what rule they refused Hearts' request under, but I think it was another 'discretionary' one. I think, though, it was based on the fact that they were releasing their goalkeeping coach, Combe, who was registered as a player, from the player part of his contract. He'd never kicked a ball for Hearts, and, as Skacel could be seen as not 'like for like', refused the request. We only need to contrast this with the 'registration embargo' to see the double standards, or, rather, lack of standards within the SFA.
I would accept the SFA's handling of the Skacel request, without question, but find it an incredible decision in the face of what's been done for the sake of, firstly RFC, then TRFC, within the past two years. Especially with the moving, back and forward in time, of the transfer embargo, enabling the signing of over a dozen players, not just one, and turning a 12 month penalty into a one month joke!
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
February 7, 2014 at 4:19 pm
2 0 Rate This
hamemadesoup says:
February 7, 2014 at 4:14 pm
1 0 Rate This
gamesabogey says:
February 7, 2014 at 3:49 pm
2 0 Rate This
there has been one club severely damaged by the financial collapse of Rangers FC PLC
and that club is…………The Rangers Football CLUB Ltd – Sevco.
——————————————–
And long may it continue . We , Scottish football , don’t need a team playing out of Ibrox . Remove their current version completely and replace them with Spartans or Auchinleck Talbot . The game would be fine without them , their importance is imaginary , hopefully their existence will become so also .