The scandal in which Scottish football has become embroiled is neither equivocal nor complicated. It happened. It is easily seen to have happened. It is certainly not a degree course in nuclear physics. Why then, are simple facts ignored day after day, week after week, by not just the so called purveyors of truth in the media, but the body of the SFA itself, the clubs?
Five years or so ago, systematic cheating by a club involved in Scottish football was uncovered as a consequence of the club slipping into liquidation. This is easily established as fact.
It soon became clear that the authorities had been aware of the situation for as long as it had been going on, but instead of applying their own rules, which would have saved that club from it’s ultimate demise, they chose to enable it and cover it up. Also, backed up by documentary evidence.
As a consequence of the slide towards liquidation, the authorities went into cover-up overdrive to protect their own position. Inquiries based on rhetorical “you’ll have had your tea!” questions were set up to arrive at predetermined conclusions. The post-truth era in Scottish football had begun in earnest.
The claims of corruption which subsequently emerged were dismissed out of hand by the authorities and the press; first by accusations that it was only Paranoid Celtic fans looking to put the boot into Rangers who were behind the claims, then, when it became clear that it was not only Celtic fans who were angered by the way the integrity of the sport had been shattered, the “mad Celtic fans” epithet was amended to “mad online conspiracy theorists”.
The tactic was clear. NEVER address the issue. Attack the messengers. Ridicule them, mock them, demonise them. Despite that, the message of SFM and others was gaining traction and dangerously for the authorities, becoming difficult to ignore.
Last Autumn SFM was approached in confidence by senior figures in two print media outlets. The request was for us to provide them with the facts we had in bullet points – to make it easier for them to reach their audience, an audience they claimed was not sophisticated enough to absorb the detail and minutiae of the story.
The role of journalists is to do exactly that of course. They had access to the same documentary evidence we had (we know this because we gave it to them), but they wanted us to do their job for them? Leaving aside the scant regard I have for football journalists in this country, I don’t believe they are incapable of carrying out that simple task – but we humoured them anyway and provided them with the “SFA Corruption for Dummies” guide that they asked for.
But what were they really up to?
Remembering the RTC thread where he pointed out that genuine whistle-blowers in this saga were reluctant to come forward because of trust issues – they feared any contact with the MSM would result in their details being provided to those they were exposing – we proceeded with some caution. Amusingly, the same three questions was asked at each meeting; “You must know who Rangers Tax Case is?”, “any idea who John James is?” and, “what team do you support?”. (FYI, my answers were, “No”, “No”, and “Celtic” respectively).
Interestingly, for people who needed clarification by bullet-point, they were well enough versed in the minutiae to attempt to argue the flat-earth case and try to sell us the “it has been established legally that <insert something that hasn’t been established legally here>”
Our only conjecture was that they were trying to convince us we were wrong, or ascertain how firm a grasp we actually had on the facts to better see who and what they were dealing with, or (most probably) they were reacting aimlessly to online pressure and not really following any plan at all. Perhaps they were seeking to reassure themselves that it was just Celtic fans who were angry – although I fail to see how Celtic or their fans have less credibility when asking legitimate questions about the running of the game just because Rangers were involved.
Subsequently, despite the platitudes of “print and social media should work together” and the like, and despite being furnished with the aforementioned bullet points, no further contact was made with SFM other than a couple of childish comments about SFM on Twitter.
Facts might be facts to us all, but in the case of the print media, they can be ignored on the basis that mad internet bampots are not a credible source, although metaphysical hypotheses are clearly thought to be a far more sensible line of inquiry!
However, facts ARE indeed facts, and in the hands of real journalists like Alec Thomson and those in The Offshore Game (TOG), they are given the credence they merit. Since TOG published the report on the SFA (see below), the facts have emerged from not just the so-called internet bampots. Those facts have survived the scrutiny of several reputable journalists involved in TOG – and their legal advisers.
Accusations more blunt and unequivocal than we have ever made have been published. The genie is most definitely out of the bottle, but the prodigious MSM Twitterati, so meticulous in their investigations into the occupation of Craig Whyte’s female companions, appear to have run out of batteries on their keyboards. “No answer” is the loud reply, since TOG cannot be ridiculed quite so easily without exposing themselves to the same scrutiny they have failed to apply to the SFA.
If I can be as unequivocal about this as possible. Senior journalists in at least two MSM print outlets KNOW there has been a cover up, and that systematic cheating took place. They knew that before the TOG report, long before it, but still they did nothing. Even now they do nothing. They are now playing a reactionary role – as counterpoint to the accessible online truth – involved in actively concealing that truth from the offline public. An Offline Game if you like.
Of course we are not surprised by that, and as the falling-off-a-cliff circulation figures show, fewer and fewer people are playing their game. Even those who still purchase newspapers believe little of what they read.
The clubs are a different matter. Fans of every single club in this country – and that includes TRFC – will benefit from an inquiry into the handling of this matter. In the light of the TOG report, there is no excuse for the clubs to ignore calls for an inquiry to be set up. In fact by doing so, they are actively embracing corruption.
As we have said time and time again, this is no longer about Rangers. It is about institutionalised mal-governance at Hampden. By assisting the cover-up, the clubs are ensuring that the same corrupt practices are in place, ready to go again when necessary. Those practices which saw journalists and SFA officials cede editorial control (both statements backed up by documentary evidence) of their output to one club, and allow damaging conflicts of interest to circumvent rules.
The Offshore Game has thrown a media spotlight onto a cover-up. The MSM have attempted to bury it in the offline domain, but corruption, however well established,is not unbeatable. We can beat it if we work together – and here is how.
Season ticket renewals are dropping through letterboxes as I write this. If we do nothing other than protest, the clubs will do – just like Stewart Regan says he will – NOTHING!
There is only one way to establish the Independent Inquiry that is demanded in the wake of TOG report. Ask your club if they will vote for an Independent Inquiry to be set up.
If they agree, there is no problem. They are doing the right thing and will be deserving of our support.
Otherwise, send their renewal forms back to them unsigned.
It really is that simple.
http://www.theoffshoregame.net/475-2/
PROHIBBYMAY 22, 2016 at 20:56
Not another competition next season! I’ve always said that the league cup was a competition too far this season! Could we not get banned from Europe and the league cup next season, please
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The SFA punished Hibs in advance
They appointed the referees for the two Falkirk matches
With regard to the aftermath of Saturday’s cup final, I have been following the various comments trying to apportion blame. I think that it should be viewed in a simple and quite straightforward way.Every individual commenting will have his or her own feelings about the level of culpability.
The large number of Hibs fans who came onto the field – wrong.
The smaller number of Hibs fans who went towards the ‘Rangers’ fans to gloat or goad – wrong.
Any individuals who verbally or physically abused players or officials – wrong.
The large number of ‘Rangers’ fans who carried out verbal sectarian abuse – wrong.
The smaller number of ‘Rangers’ fans who came onto the field to challenge the Hibs fans – wrong.
I didn’t have a very high opinion of ‘Rangersness’ before the TWS and TBS (excellent, Tris). I hope it has now hit rock bottom, surely that shower can’t go lower!
I have now discovered the TBS is on the club’s official site, so it is a TRFC official statement, so the club is responsible, 100%. Only by continuing to show favouritism can the SFA not issue a fine. And remember, Mr Regan, the bar was set when you (The SFA) fined Hearts for Romanov (not a Hearts official statement) calling you, the OF and the media ‘monkeys’ and ‘mafia’. How many threats to public, and your own, safety did that elicit?
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/feeds/GoalsAppV2/spfl/7164901/Dave-King-Four-of-Celtics-titles-dont-count-because-Rangers-werent-in-league.html
This little gem seems to have been lost sight of in the events of Saturday afternoon.
Isn’t this bringing the game into disrepute? I have copied it to our SFA Compliance Officer, and although I gather he might have a lot on his desk right now, why should King be allowed to get away with this arrogant garbage? Any representative of any other club who came out with stuff like that would be hung out to dry by the authorities.
The National seem to think there’s been a nuanced change of heart …
Not as far as TBS on the TRFC website is concerned. Two journalists still named – in error according to The National.
Sad aspect of all the pitch invasion stuff (and I am sure Hibs fans will be annoyed with themselves for allowing it to happen) is that less time has been given over to the victory and the end of 114 years of hurt.
Not a Hi-Bee myself of course, but I have seldom felt so emotional as I did when ‘Sunshine on Leith’ rang out at Hampden after the presentation. It was a truly magical moment, and maybe demonstrates how the legacy of all of our clubs is to a greater or lesser extent shared with everyone.
Over the last few years we have all shared in the joy of clubs who have had historic breakthroughs in their journey in the game. Here’s to even more of them in the future.
For the record, I think the TRFC response to the weekend events is not on a par with the way their players acquitted themselves during and after the game. The players, and not their board won my admiration and respect for their contribution to the final. I think the dignity they showed deserved better than what they got in TBS (© Tris acknowledged)
Musn’t forget congratulations to Kilmarnock for their excellent win against Falkirk, emphasising the gap that still exists between the two leagues (as we saw last year also).
The contribution made by the outstanding Josh Magennis was the critical one in the game I thought – and bodes well for Northern Ireland in their Euro campaign
Sorry.
The file I requested for deletion contained a photo but obviously I posted it wrongly.Here’s the twitter link.Hope this works.Seems TRFC have raised an action against a few folk.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjIncwMW0AAMxWD.jpg:large
TJB,
Surely that citation is wrong. They missed out Nicola Sturgeon?
Nothing at all on the SFA website about Saturday’s post-match kerfuffle.
And on the SPFL website they announce Scotland’s 4 representatives in Europe next year as Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts, and Hibs.
Perhaps giving too much credit here but maybe they’re just waiting for all the hot air coming from Ibrox and some sections of the Scottish Football press to disappear.
I am sure the powers-that-be are rightly looking at all the video evidence before taking action against individuals.
That’s as it should be.
Compare and contrast this match report from the official Rangers website and the TWS and TBS. Split personality?
http://rangers.co.uk/news/match-report/2015-16/rangers-2-3-hibernian/
TORREJOHNBHOY(@JOHNBHOY1958)MAY 23, 2016 at 11:43
Sorry.The file I requested for deletion contained a photo but obviously I posted it wrongly.Here’s the twitter link.Hope this works.Seems TRFC have raised an action against a few folk.https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjIncwMW0AAMxWD.jpg:large
__________
I wonder if that’s the start of legal moves to end the kit contract!
REIVERMAY 23, 2016 at 10:01 7 0 Rate This
And now to super hack Chico Young.
On Saturday evening he gave his eye witness report that on the final whistle Hibs supporters invaded the pitch and, I quote, “hundreds of them charged the Rangers end with sole intention to cause trouble”. Well if you would care to lower your estimation to about twenty and care to comment that they were so full of violent intent that they punch a beach ball around just to release their anger then you may have a point. When I heard his report it set me to questioning myself. We all have strengths and weakness is in our personal skills. For me one of the strengths is quantitative judgement, the analysis of patterns and his allegations didn’t seem to ring true. So I have been filtering through the youtube clips trying to gain a clearer assessment in the cold light of day and my initial assessment is that, by the time the main invasion is over there are about twenty to thirty people right up at the Rangers end. At this stage I cannot say how many were stewards or if any of them were Rangers supporters but I can say that there were not “hundreds”. Oh, and the beach ball was taking a right battering.
Be clear I an disappointed that invasion happened, I am disgusted with those that looked for trouble but I save my biggest outrage for those that approached or struck the Rangers players or staff. I equally have disgust for those in the media whose inaccurate and irresponsible reporting not only do nothing for the attempts to analyse what happened but put at risk the crowd behaviour at matches next season.
………..
Reiver, thanks for the benefits of your forensic skills! I, and most true Hibs fans will, I am sure, fully agree with the sentiments you express throughout.
I never would have believed that on a day when Hibs won their most sought after prize that their fans would have behaved in such a loutish and disgraceful way. They were an embarrassment to all decent fans of the Club and brought shame on the Club at a time when it should have been basking in well earned respect. The Cup was well earned in what had been a fairly refereed and well contested match. The five goals were all worthy Cup final match winners. I even found myself applauding the Gers second goal! Why then the display of anger and discontent displayed by the morons? It makes me ask what could Hibs, as a club, have done to prevent it happening? I really don’t know. This is not a problem the Club has had to face before – as far as I am aware – but could the Club have been more proactive and done anything to prevent the scenes we saw? Whatever, my hope is that the nastiest elements are named, shamed and punished and the others will learn from their mistakes.
Here’s a genuine question. Has anyone seen a quote from Mark Warburton or David Weir since Saturday?
I know that the signal to noise ration is very low because of the other considerations. I also understand why Warburton didn’t do the presser in the wake of the post-match trauma suffered by at least one player.
But isn’t the ensuing silence strange? Maybe reading too much into it, but there’s nothing in the club website that I can see, and both Warbs and Weir’s Twitter accounts are empty since Saturday.
I think Tris, that Warburton, who seems a decent guy mostly, will be looking for a way out. He looked disgusted at the after match brawling and I don’t think his employer’s response is going to ease his discomfort.
Now tahat the fitba’ is over for the season for Scottish fans, I vaguely remember that TRFC needed loans to complete the season . Does anyone know from whence they came , and the requirements to see out next season, their first among the big boys ?
BIG PINK
MAY 23, 2016 at 11:18
…the end of 114 years of hurt.
———————————————
Only 114 years?
Boohoo.
#MyClubIsEvenMoreHopelessThanHibs
TRISIDIUMMAY 23, 2016 at 12:24
Here’s a genuine question. Has anyone seen a quote from Mark Warburton or David Weir since Saturday?
I know that the signal to noise ration is very low because of the other considerations. I also understand why Warburton didn’t do the presser in the wake of the post-match trauma suffered by at least one player.
But isn’t the ensuing silence strange? Maybe reading too much into it, but there’s nothing in the club website that I can see, and both Warbs and Weir’s Twitter accounts are empty since Saturday.
_______________
Busy booking their holidays now they have no early start to the season to consider with no Euro qualifiers? Or maybe just packing their bags…for their holidays, I mean!
But it is very unusual, and not just for TRFC. At the very least it’s usual for the losing manager to be quoted with all the usual platitudes towards the victors, as well as his end of season thanks to his players and supporters. This pitch invasion has provided one mighty squirrel! I haven’t even noticed the hacks dishing out the excuses we might have expected, nor reminding us all of the wonderful job the ‘manager of the season’ has done.
One thing is inescapable, TRFC have not been improving in the past couple of months! An accurate media assessment of progress, of squad and/or manager, might not best serve ST sales! Perhaps we might see the media spotlight moving slightly east for a while!
ReiverMay 23, 2016 at 12:47
I think Tris, that Warburton, who seems a decent guy mostly, will be looking for a way out. He looked disgusted at the after match brawling and I don’t think his employer’s response is going to ease his discomfort.
==============================
Wouldn’t surprise me.give him his due,he usually tries to talk up the Scottish game unlike the folk who should be promoting it.Who knows what’s going on.If rumours are correct,though,he’s entitled to a nice wee £500k bonus for gaining promotion.Maybe there’s a potential problem wrt payment.i’d expect Davie Weir to be due a bonus also.Maybe the players too.Would this be due in Mays paypacket?.TRFC could be looking at a seven figure bill & we know things are tight.
Maybe Warburton knows that there will be no major cash injection over the next few weeks to allow him to build a side capable of at least competing in the top league.he couldn’t even fill the bench on Saturday.Add it all together and he may just feel that enough is enough.If he leaves,though,you can bet it’ll be spun that outside pressures caused his departure.
Whilst on about the playing squad,I assume we can expect both Wallace & McKay to withdraw from the Scotland squad due to the horrific injuries they sustained on Saturday?.
TrisidiumMay 23, 2016 at 12:24 Here’s a genuine question. Has anyone seen a quote from Mark Warburton or David Weir since Saturday?
========
No, which is very striking.
My own view is that Warburton might have had enough of Scottish football. I don’t think his brand of football is well suited to the Scottish game, although it can be nice to watch. And if his “warchest” was contingent on a Europa league place, then he might see a relegation battle more likely than a title bid next season.
I think it will be a shame if he goes- he seems honest, and he has been a refreshing change from the usual merry-go-round of ex-players. But he really does need to drop the “respect” agenda- urgently.
From what I’ve seen of Saturday’s game (highlights) , is that Anthony Stokes; best game for CFC ?
I think that is the advantage in them not currently being listed.
The requirement for additional money to get to the end of the season is unquestionable, as it was contained in the audited accounts and confirmed by the chairman (of the PLC).
That money must have come from somewhere, either additional loans or sale of assets. Perhaps even people deferring payment (which I suppose is really just a loan).
However given that the parent company is not listed there is no real need to tell the World what is going on behind the scenes.
What is certain is that the loss of European income for next season will effect the finances, possibly leading to even greater losses than would have been hoped for.
I suppose that explains why they are doing anything possible to get out of the merchandising deal, and to promote season ticket sales. The action against Ashley et al, the proclamation of titles not counting if Rangers are not in that league (or division) and the pandering to the support with a seriously deluded statement are all evidence of this. Bigging up a 33 year old potentially joining as a free agent seems to provide more evidence of desperation.
Things must really be getting bad.
Nicky Clark gone
http://stv.tv/sport/football/1355038-nicky-clark-released-as-rangers-begin-their-summer-squad-reshuffle/
On a football note, another good year of Armageddon with trophies being spread about.
League Cup – Ross County winning their first major trophy.
Scottish Cup – Hibs break their 114 year hoodoo to pick up the Scottish Cup.
Premiership – Celtic win to make it five in a row.
Armageddon is not as bad as we were led to believe.
Presumably Dave King believes that the 3 lower division titles and cup won by Rangers don’t count as Celtic weren’t in those competitions.
CORRUPT OFFICIAL
MAY 23, 2016 at 13:22
=================================
I suspect there will be a few contracts not being renewed, presumably today is the day Mark Warburton will be confirming that to the players involved.
Hopefully they will all get other clubs and can continue with their careers.
Haven’t posted in a while,but felt I had to after the events of the weekend.
After Saturday, I genuinely felt sorry for TRFC. You had to feel for them. Whether their players were actually assaulted or not, it wouldn’t have been pleasant for them in the middle of that melee, and I can appreciate that it must have felt threatening and frightening for them. I would imagine most right minded people would be thinking the same. I especially felt sorry for Kenny Miller, given the documented, dignified, and, let’s be honest, classy way that he had responded to defeat. Aside from a lot of expected whataboutery, for once TRFC actually held the moral high ground (or at least, higher ground than Hibs, anyway……)
However…..I think any sympathy I had for them evaporated immediately upon reading the swivel-eyed lunacy that passed for a Rangers statement last night. It could have been penned by Davie Leggat at his absolute mentalist. The Romanov comparison bears repeating – does anyone expect the SFA to take action? Seriously? Given that it should be getting referred to the Police for incitement, it’s quite incredible that not one person in the press has stood up and gone ‘Hang on, this is too much.’
Interesting that they hounded Spiers for proof of his accusations, and yet are quite happy to fire out unsubstantiated accusations at other journalists, just because ‘they are’. Noticed that Jingle-Jangles tweeted last night about logging in, seeing the Rangers statement, and logging off straight away. Well, he’s thoroughly on message this morning, that’s for sure.
What’s equally sinister is the witch hunt now taking place against Rod Petrie, and his supposed playing down of the Hibs fans reaction as ‘over-exuberance’. I’m not a fan of Petrie, but ANYONE who saw the interview he gave knows full well that his comments were made prior to his realisation of the full extent of what happened – he’s told mid-way through the interview FFS! He then says he wasn’t aware and will need to check for himself what has happened, and take the appropriate action.
All I can do is echo the sentiments of others on here – compare the dignity shown by the Rangers players to the reaction of their ‘club’. If only they’d got Kenny Miller to draft their statement, they might still have the overwhelming sympathy of Scottish football fans.
Well
We can look forward to the disgraceful behaviour by Hibs fans at the SC being incorporated as many MSM articles as possible for the next few weeks
I have many memories of Celtic games against the RFC club (now in liquidation) in which sectarian abuse was common place and fans from both sides were involved in unsavoury incidents. These incidents also were a disgrace to Scottish football
But
Thats all they were
Nasty memories of fan related incidents that happened at the match
With the passage of time the only memory that survives intact was the score and the significance of the result in achieving honours
Hibs have won the SC for the first time since 1902
Nobody but nobody can take that away from them
So
The MSM can carry on pretending to themselves that the scenes at Hampden were a bigger story than the result
It won`t make a blind bit of difference
The real story was Hibs smashing the 114 yr old hoodoo
And doing it in style
This 2016 Hibs team will be immortalised at Easter Rd
Long after the written press has disappeared down the drain
……….where they belong
AllyjamboMay 23, 2016 at 12:16
‘…..I wonder if that’s the start of legal moves to end the kit contract!’
________
I suppose the Imran chap can defend the action without having to come into the jurisdiction personally.
This is one action that I don’t want to miss, if at all possible.
First off, the violence was abhorrent. Fans fighting fans is plenty bad enough, but fans attacking players takes moronic to a whole new level. It takes a special kind of cowardice to assault someone surrounded by thousands of your mates. At least there were plenty cameras around, lets hope each and every one of those that perpetrated violence on Saturday get what they deserve.
But, that part aside, how many times over the last couple of weeks have we seen pitch invasions? Every play-off from down south has had a pitch invasion, Barca etc etc. Why? What has led to this re-emergence of a long forgotten phenomena? Why has there not been a more active response to prevent this happening? Why did nobody imagine such a thing was possible on Saturday? We are all mostly human – you see something happening on TV and you think well if they can do it why can’t we.. not so long ago streakers were rampant, not so much now, now its fully clothed mass pitch invasions that are the flavour of the month.
Idiocy aside – is this the start of the armageddon we were promised? This situation has been bottled up and carefully matured by the SFA, SPFL, SMSM and each and every one of our clubs (the fine folks at Raith Rovers aside) over the past 4 years. We now have on one side the untouchables, the entitled Peepul back to “where they belong” and everyone really hates them now so they really, really don’t care! On the other side you have fans from every other club, sick and fed up of the bias and blatant corruption of our game. Bottled, matured and now ready to explode into our stadia and onto our streets when the next season begins?
Well done Regan & Doncaster, and all the cowardly chairmen , well done.
goosygoosyMay 23, 2016 at 13:49
‘…Hibs have won the SC for the first time since 1902Nobody but nobody can take that away from them’
_____
Whereas there is a club presently languishing in Liquidation from which certain titles and honours should and WILL be stripped, when we get Scottish Football sitting all square with Sporting Integrity.
I fully condem the lunatics from both sides who were fighting on the pitch on Saturday, but having just watched SSN report on that batsheet crazy second statement about how Rangers fans only entered the field because of prolonged provocation and their players were being “attacked”, not to mention targeting Rod Petrie and the SFA, well I just saw this. Again, anyone who did have a go at players and staff should be done big time.
http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-slight-stramash/
This “club”, Level 5 and whoever was responsible for that statement (and the daily records crass and possibly false coverage) needs to have a real long look at themselves. They won’t though, will they? As nobody will look at the flares and singing either. Evidence of injured players? Statements from the manager? Transparency for the fans? Nope.
Desperate, shameful stuff.
That Wings Over Scotland timeline, with pictures pretty much sums things up. Particularly in relation to when the Rangers support came onto the pitch and what was happening with regards the Rangers players at that time.
Could one of the many ‘Well fans post a wee summary of the crowd invasion at the end of last season’s playoff match between ‘Well and TRFC?
I don’t want to introduce any whataboutery, I’m just trying to work out how Saturday’s kerfuffle compared with that one.
I have no recollection of any calls for Motherwell to be thrown out of the SPFL Premiership? What was ‘Well’s punishment by the way?
Thanks in advance ‘Well fans.
PFA Scotland Statement on Scottish Cup FinalMichelle Evans23rd May 2016Fraser Wishart, Chief Executive of PFA Scotland, said: “PFA Scotland supports calls for a full and thorough independent and transparent investigation in to the post-match events at the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on Saturday.
“Safety in the workplace is of paramount importance and it is forgotten that footballers’ workplace is the field of play, where they perform assuming like every worker that the environment is safe. On Saturday this was not the case and it is completely unacceptable that the safety of our members was compromised in the scenes which followed the full time whistle. The wellbeing of our members was endangered and they were left open to threats and intimidation. No-one should have to face these unsavoury conditions in their workplace, be it on the football pitch or an office environment.
“In the lead up to high profile matches such as Saturday’s cup final, players are advised by the authorities with regard to their behaviour on the pitch and the potential consequences in the stands of such behaviour. The players on Saturday behaved impeccably, it was their safety that was threatened and our members were left vulnerable.
“The scenes on the Hampden pitch tarnished what was a wonderful game of football and a historic day for Hibernian Football Club. It is particularly disappointing that both sets of players were denied the opportunity to go to their supporters in the traditional manner; the Hibernian players were denied the opportunity to celebrate a momentous occasion for their club with their supporters whilst the Rangers players were unable to collect their medals and acknowledge their supporters after a long season.
“We commend our members for the restraint shown under severe duress and believe that they are due a full explanation from the authorities as to how and why supporters were able to enter the field of play and threaten their safety.”
Donations welcome:
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/vanguardbears
From twitter,message from Tom English to Level 5 PR (Jim Traynor)
Jings – Tom English worried about publishing untruths. Whatever next!? Does his mean he will only be dealing in the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth from now on too? Or will he stick to spin and half-truths or pure avoidance of anything little sticky?
ALLYJAMBOMAY 23, 2016 at 10:09
A lesson to TRFC in how to do dignified statements. All that is necessary to say. Won’t sell season tickets, I have to admit.
From Hibs website, their official statement…
=============================
Beat me to it AJ !
Just skimmed through weekend posts, and I could only see the goals on YouTube – but looked like a fantastic Cup Final with some great goals.
The Hibs statement was a bland, ‘regretful’ statement, confirming full co-operation with any investigation.
That was ‘absolutely’ the correct – and only – statement that could be issued on the same day as the game itself.
However, both TRFC and the SFA issued emotional statements, also on Saturday.
[SFA’s at http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1961&newsCategoryID=3&newsID=16319 ]
TRFC then slept on it, and then decided to issue an even more emotional – and personalised – statement, and blaming all and sundry.
The phrase that jumped out for me from this second statement: “…Rangers demands…”
Those 2 words sum up for me everything that is wrong with that club’s culture.
I also have absolute confidence that the SFA will completely b*lls up the fallout and investigation of the Cup Final.
But well done to Hibs for reminding us how uplifting ‘the beautiful game’ can really be, even for the neutrals.
COWANPETEMAY 23, 2016 at 14:14
Could one of the many ‘Well fans post a wee summary of the crowd invasion at the end of last season’s playoff match between ‘Well and TRFC?I don’t want to introduce any whataboutery, I’m just trying to work out how Saturday’s kerfuffle compared with that one.I have no recollection of any calls for Motherwell to be thrown out of the SPFL Premiership? What was ‘Well’s punishment by the way?Thanks in advance ‘Well fans.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
After the game finished a couple of hundred supporters ran onto the park (as they always do last game of the season). Stupidly a few (maybe 20 or so) ran over to in front of the Rangers fans and goaded them. No Rangers fans came onto the pitch, and pretty quickly the supporters either made their own way back to stand or were shepherded back by stewards/police. Then a couple of mounted police officers arrived on the scene, by which time all the interlopers were pretty much back in the stand.
There was some fighting of course but that was between the players (Moshni and Erwin mostly)!
The final outcome of the enquiry which was published a few weeks ago was that Motherwell were fined £30,000 (partly suspended) for not doing enough to ensure supporters were not able to encroach onto the park. Interestingly, Motherwell’s defence was very similar to the SFAs as regards Saturday – we did everything we could, we liaised with Police, stewards and footballing authorities.
Some fallout was that there were severe measures put in place for our last game of the season this year – several hundred stewards stood in front of the East stand holding orange netting between them (honestly), in addition Motherwell had placed tarpaulins over the front 5 rows of the stand so that no-one could sit there and have easy access to the park.
John ClarkMay 23, 2016 at 13:51
AllyjamboMay 23, 2016 at 12:16‘…..I wonder if that’s the start of legal moves to end the kit contract!’________I suppose the Imran chap can defend the action without having to come into the jurisdiction personally. This is one action that I don’t want to miss, if at all possible.
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I do hope that, regardless of how much water King’s case holds, a vengeful Ashley takes it all the way, ensuring many facts that the current regime would prefer to keep under wraps are brought out for the public’s enlightenment.
As I said the other day, if King/TRFC are not on solid ground, then this must be the last huzzah, as to lose the case will be expensive, and unless SDI have, in any way, contributed to an illegal contract (though perhaps not as flame proof as they thought) then surely the costs will have to be shared, perhaps even all fall on TRFC who are bringing the case to court, and are 50% responsible for any errors in the contract.
I’m sure, though, if TRFC’s case was rock solid then their solicitors would have approached SDI’s and sought to sort it out privately, rather than to face the court costs!
If this does go all the way to court, then it could turn out to be the most interesting case yet!
Wee Alpha, anything about Fraser Wishart’s response ?
WEE_ALPHA, there was way more than 20 Motherwell fans that made their way over to the Rangers support and there is plenty of photographs and video footage, mostly taken from Well fans, that confirm this.
It had the potential to turn ugly but, as you say, no Rangers fan entered the pitch that day. Similar restraint would have been helpful at Hampden but unfortunately some fans decided to embarrass themselves.
HomunculusMay 23, 2016 at 14:06
That Wings Over Scotland timeline, with pictures pretty much sums things up. Particularly in relation to when the Rangers support came onto the pitch and what was happening with regards the Rangers players at that time.
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I noticed that it only took 68 seconds from the final whistle for the commentator to say that ‘Rangers’ fans were on the pitch also! At that point, looking down with the best view in the house, and with cameras to help, he hadn’t noticed any problems involving the players (some of whom are seen approaching the technical area clearly unafraid for their own safety). Doesn’t exactly tie in with the TRFC official version, does it, of heroic bears rushing to the aid of their players. Safe to say that none of the TRFC supporters who entered the pitch were aware of anything that may, or may not, have happened to their players until some time after the event. They went on to kick a Hibby (or, in their vernacular, a Fenian Bstrd). I’d suggest that as they, the bears, entered the field of play, there was more malice in their intentions than in any of the Hibs fans as they crossed the boundary wall!
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsID=16322&newsCategoryID=1
Scottish FA to set up Independent Commission Monday, 23 May 2016
Statement from Stewart Regan, Scottish FA Chief Executive:
“The Scottish FA has today initiated the process of appointing an Independent Commission to investigate the circumstances of Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final disorder.
“A chairperson will be appointed in early course and the commission’s remit will be to review all operational matters relating to the event hosting of the final. It will be convened to analyse the processes and protocols undertaken in the staging of the match and I would encourage all relevant stakeholders to contribute to it.
“In the interests of transparency, the commission’s findings will also be published in full.
“In addition, the Scottish FA’s Compliance Officer has also started the process of investigating potential rule breaches from a football regulatory perspective. It should be pointed out that as the cup final is now subject to a criminal investigation by Police Scotland, we will share all information gleaned so far with them.
“I have also instructed the compilation of a comprehensive report from all our internal group functions at Hampden Park to establish a full picture of the events of the weekend. The contents of this report will be made available to the commission.
“I am keen that the Scottish FA is proactive in the investigations with the police authorities and the Independent Commission. In the meantime, I would urge all parties involved in the ongoing situation to demonstrate calmness, clarity of thought and responsibility as we proceed towards a satisfactory conclusion.”
I put up a post yesterday that was critical of the role of Celtics owners in the rehabilitation of “Rangers”. I stand by the facts, but my timing was, well, sh*te, as it inadvertently coincided with the latest episode of the govan club disgracing itself.
I apologise to anyone who might have taken offence at any notion of moral equivalence between the way the two clubs behave and operate. Ian Archer nailed it all those years ago. Permanent.
Mea culpa.
“I have also instructed the compilation of a comprehensive report from all our internal group functions at Hampden Park to establish a full picture of the events of the weekend. The contents of this report will be made available to the commission…….to be used as the basis for their final conclusions”
Wonder if Nimmo-Smith is available ?
Also, from BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36359328
This from the SFA Statement.
In addition, the Scottish FA’s Compliance Officer has also started the process of investigating potential rule breaches from a football regulatory perspective.
Anyone who thought for a minute that disqualifying Hibernian FC and giving the European place to TRFC was too far fetched can think again. This is what the TRFC fans and ex players have been banging on about since Saturday. The NEED for Euro cash to survive is clearly evident.
Nothing is beyond them now. They are empowered to the max.
Despite a veritable tsunami of reporting post the Scottish Cup Final the absence of comment on flares being set off is a puzzle. Lost in the fog of war perhaps? There were of course flares at the 1980 cup final but these were being worn by the protagonists.
Hibs Statement
A Police-led criminal inquiry is underway into events at Hibernian’s historic Scottish Cup win over Rangers at the weekend. The Scottish FA has also launched its own Independent Commission. The Club welcomes the announcement of the Commission which should have the widest ranging terms of reference.
The Independent Commission is to look into all aspects of the staging and management of the Final. That is right and proper. Everyone involved will want to know what lessons can be learned.
Hibernian FC will co-operate fully with the Independent Commission in every way it can and the Commission must be allowed to run its course and reach its own conclusions without fear or favour.
Hibernian FC today reiterated:
-That the Club is sorry that a number of Hibernian supporters invaded the pitch. Whilst emotions were running high, the Club cannot condone supporters coming onto the field of play.
-That the Club will co-operate fully with all of the relevant authorities to identify supporters involved in behaviour which tarnishes the good name of Hibernian FC.
-In particular, the Club will do everything in its power to bring to book any Hibernian supporters found to have been involved in the most serious allegations of assault – including assaults on the staff or players of Rangers FC
-The Club will take the strongest possible sanctions against any supporters involved in criminal activity or unacceptable behaviour
Chairman Rod Petrie said: “It is now clear from various sources that supporters being on the pitch at the end of the match led to acts of violence and disorder.
I condemn and the Club condemns all of the violence and unacceptable conduct perpetrated on the pitch and elsewhere and in the margins of the match at Hampden. There is absolutely no place for it in the game of football.
“Hibernian will do all that it can to support the criminal investigations to ensure that those who have transgressed face the consequences of their actions.”
CARFINS FINEST
MAY 23, 2016 at 17:56
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I do not see any way in which they could do this.
The rules are set up at the start of the season and the national association announces how European places will be given out. That was done and a Europa spot was allocated to the winners of the Scottish Cup.
As Hibs won that competition they are automatically granted that spot. I see of no way in which it can be taken away from them, particularly in the absence of strict liability for the action of the fans.
I simply don’t see it, even with as corrupt an organisation as the SFA.
Homunculus
May 23, 2016
CARFINS FINEST MAY 23, 2016 at 17:56
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I agree it seems pretty far fetched but do you honestly believe that if TRFC NEEDED the money from the Europa League then the SFA would not break any existing rules to ensure this happened. If the last 5 years has taught me anything it is that the SFA are capable and willing to go to any lengths to ensure life at Govan. Overly Cynical? This is what I have become.
HomunculusMay 23, 2016 at 18:55
‘…..I simply don’t see it, even with as corrupt an organisation as the SFA.’
_________
They sold their integrity to try to save RFC(IL), and sold their very souls to CG and successive boards of TRFC.
With a track record like that, it is not unreasonable to suppose they would sell Hibs down the Forth to favour the despicable King- if they thought they had even a remote chance of getting away with it.
(And hearing the words ‘Independent Commission’ mentioned in the same breath as ‘SFA’ I went to check the definition of ‘oxymoron’.)
As for Hibs being punted out of Europe in favour of TRFC: despite the continuing corruption emanating from Hampden over the years, this would be a step too far / too public, IMO.
But I’m sure it’s being discussed / encouraged as a possible option by those whose aim is to do everything possible…
“for the good of Scottish football” !
However, the totally mental TRFC statements, [TWS & TBS, (c) Tris 2016], and the supportive and biased coverage from their lapdogs in the SMSM – perhaps betrays the level of desperation in Govan?
Mibbees a Euro route was what King was banking on to help buy some time to stabilise the ship – and to try and get Ashley off his back?
Looks like Hibs have gone off script – after a very long 114 years – and have ‘disrespectfully’ messed up RIFC’s/TRFC’s financial planning !
Carfins Finest
This from the SFA Statement. In addition, the Scottish FA’s Compliance Officer has also started the process of investigating potential rule breaches from a football regulatory perspective. Anyone who thought for a minute that disqualifying Hibernian FC and giving the European place to TRFC was too far fetched can think again. This is what the TRFC fans and ex players have been banging on about since Saturday. The NEED for Euro cash to survive is clearly evident. Nothing is beyond them now. They are empowered to the max.
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Anyone who thinks there is money in the first rounds of the Europa is well off the mark! Sometimes loss making in fact. I agree that disqualifying Hibs and awarding the place to Sevco would be outrageous but it’s not going to happen.
Allyjambo,
“Safe to say that none of the TRFC supporters who entered the pitch were aware of anything that may, or may not, have happened to their players until some time after the event. They went on to kick a Hibby… I’d suggest that as they, the bears, entered the field of play, there was more malice in their intentions than in any of the Hibs fans as they crossed the boundary wall!”
Interestingly in the Wings Over Scotland timeline that you cite it is clear that by the point at which the Rangers fans came onto the pitch it was already some time after the assault on the Rangers goalkeeper had taken place. If the darling little Hibs fans went on to the pitch with such innocent intentions as you suggest, then they certainly developed some malice in a hurry.
There is money in the Europa League if you can get your support to buy tickets for the games.
There is not a lot in prize money, or in TV rights but there is money to be made.
Clubs who make losses do so because they simply don’t get the support turning out.
There has been much talk of Sevco being further damaged by the loss of Europa League income. This may well be the case & I’m pretty sure that they will have assumed a certain amount of income from that source in their projections for next year. However isn’t the reality that several Scottish teams joining that competitions in the early stages have actually lost money? I think that the lack of European football next season (UEFA issues aside) will have a significant effect on their plans, whether they be finanancial, ability to persuade players to sign etc.
Shame.
HOMUNCULUSMAY 23, 2016 at 13:29
I also believe others will be leaving, but it is a strange, and less than perfect situation, them doing so before new faces appear. Especially as they are already threadbare and couldn’t fill the bench in the final. I’m sure the magic hat is not too enthralled at the prospect of a trip to the graveyard, just to dig up any old bodies to add to the squad. Not a great negotiating position
In relation to the attempts to get Hibs kicked out….There was mention on the news that they could order a closed door replay. I doubt this is possible, due to the simple fact that the game was over before the pitch invasion, but if it is remotely possible, I’m sure it will be explored.
May 23, 2016 at 19:55
There is money in the Europa League if you can get your support to buy tickets for the games.
There is not a lot in prize money, or in TV rights but there is money to be made.
Clubs who make losses do so because they simply don’t get the support turning out.
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Against some unknown team from wherever on a Wednesday when it’s on tv and you have lost the first leg?
BORDERSDON
MAY 23, 2016 at 20:11
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That doesn’t change my point, the Europa League and money made from it is based primarily on the support going to the games.
People can disagree with that all they want, it’s true though.
Using Hibs as an example, simply because they will be playing in it, if the fans choose not to come out to the games then they will not make money.
On the subject of hibs being denied the EL place ,even the corupt clowns in the 6th floor would not be that stupid .
I think they may even be releived that sevco 2012 lost out as I would have loved to hear them justify giving the so called same club a euro spot with over £20m of unpaid social taxes .
At a time like this I am taken back to Mr regans comments about
If there were no ragers there could be social unrest ,well I think he got that totally wrong as IMO because him and his cronies lies and rule bending look to have ENSURED social unrest because of the BIG LIE that there is a ragers .
Tayred ,you were spot on my friend and we will all be victims of it next season
CORRUPT OFFICIALMAY 23, 2016 at 20:08 In relation to the attempts to get Hibs kicked out….There was mention on the news that they could order a closed door replay. I doubt this is possible, due to the simple fact that the game was over before the pitch invasion, but if it is remotely possible, I’m sure it will be explored.
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Hibs won the game absolutely fair and square. The media are being played like a fiddle by Level 5.
RyanGoslingMay 23, 2016 at 19:52
Allyjambo,
“Safe to say that none of the TRFC supporters who entered the pitch were aware of anything that may, or may not, have happened to their players until some time after the event. They went on to kick a Hibby… I’d suggest that as they, the bears, entered the field of play, there was more malice in their intentions than in any of the Hibs fans as they crossed the boundary wall!”
Interestingly in the Wings Over Scotland timeline that you cite it is clear that by the point at which the Rangers fans came onto the pitch it was already some time after the assault on the Rangers goalkeeper had taken place. If the darling little Hibs fans went on to the pitch with such innocent intentions as you suggest, then they certainly developed some malice in a hurry.
______________________________
I do not know at what time any assaults on players first happened, but it is clear that the commentator saw nothing from his position, which, from my knowledge of the view from the seated terracing around Hampden, is far, far better than any of the invading TRFC supporters could possibly have had, even before they crossed the line. To suggest that the TRFC morons who entered the fray, entered it with any other reason than to assuage their disappointment and rage, as that ridiculous official statement did, is, itself, ridiculous. Indeed, if those of a ‘Rangers’ bent did attempt some rescue mission, they were content to vent their spleen on some Hibs supporters well away from where anything was happening to their players.
The vast, and that’s a vast vast, majority of Hibs fans who invaded the pitch, did so with genuine (misguided) joy and a desire to get as close to their players as possible. Amongst their number were a few ignorant idiots that are sadly prevalent at all football clubs who, due to some wiring defect in their brain, found a need to show how brave they are by rounding on one or two (that there seems evidence of) TRFC players. Handbags appear to have been exchanged in one instance and manhandling in another. Not good and deserving of the full force of the law to come crashing down on them. Like everyone else here, my sympathies are with those players who, as far as I know, do not form part of the WATP mentality that is ‘Rangersness’.
As this was happening, a number of Govan Gladiators were coming onto the pitch, with absolutely no joy in their hearts, and, even if a rescue of their players was in some of their minds, violence, or the support and encouragement of violence, was their aim. There can be no other reason for their action.
Who did what, and when, however, is not what has caused the most criticism on this site and elsewhere, it is the rabble rousing nature of your club’s official statements that have angered, but not surprised, so many.
Rabble rousers then (McCoist and Green), rabble rousers now (King, Traynor and whoever else), are you happy to think that it will be rabble rousers forever, or do you think it’s past time that some people of integrity showed up in the Blue Room at Ibrox?
How many of their players did The Rangers fans save ? No pictures of that yet .
Anyhoo, what are the possible outcomes of the CofS case ? Tearing up the retail contract ? Porridge for any of the guilty ? Is there a formal UK-Pakistan extradition treaty ? (Just displaying my ignorance ). (Again !).
If the clowns at the SFA do strip Hibs of their rightful EL place
Would said space not goto the 4th place in the top Leauge of the SPFL.
As specified that the runners up of the Scottish Cup shall not be awarded a European place
Joey Barton to sign in the next 24 hours must be finding money from somewhere
Indeed I do think it is time for some people of real integrity in the Blue Room Allyjambo.
However I also think it is high time for people to stop going out of their way to make Hibs fans out to be as blameless as possible while making every effort to condemn the Rangers fans. As a case in point, you began by saying that the Bears that entered the field had “more malice…than ANY of the Hibs fans”. (My emphasis). The same Hibs fans who attacked the Rangers players and ran to the Rangers end of the stadium. Presumably also with no malice?
We bang on and on about the need for even handed media reporting in the MSM, I think it’s time we practised what we preached.
And since you mentioned it, I think it was a stupid statement for Rangers to make yesterday.
SICKOFITALLMAY 23, 2016 at 21:48
Joey Barton to sign in the next 24 hours must be finding money from somewhere
================
I simply find that hard to believe.
If TRFC is really trying to manage their costs, then you have to have a sensible salary range – like Arsenal did for many years.
If you bring in one player on sky high wages, then the natural progression is steeper wages for the other decent players in the squad.
And Barton, even at his age, must be looking for GBP25K+ minimum a week, as a ball park figure.
Again, another irrational decision if TRFC does sign him…but mibbees the medical – if it gets that far – will show up undue wear and tear on the 34 [?] year old and provide a helpful exit to any deal ?
I don’t think anyone is trying to minimise the wrongdoing of a minority of the Hibs fans who went onto the pitch Ryan. But is with absolute certainty that I can state that the majority of the Rangers fans who entered the pitch were there for one reason only.
The only thing that that the SFA should be doing about this is to penalise both clubs equally. I would suggest that both of their next 2 home games should be behind closed doors.
Berrty,
Why should both clubs be punished equally? How much damage was done by Rangers fans? How many Hibs players were attacked? How many back room staff? How many were spat on? How many had to be escorted from the pitch surrounded by officials for their own safety? How many Rangers fans ran to the Hibs end?
By all means punish Rangers for fans invading the pitch and singing prohibited songs, but to make out that they were, to coin a very popular phrase “as bad as each other”, is extremely disingenuous.
RyanGoslingMay 23, 2016 at 21:54
Indeed I do think it is time for some people of real integrity in the Blue Room Allyjambo.
However I also think it is high time for people to stop going out of their way to make Hibs fans out to be as blameless as possible while making every effort to condemn the Rangers fans. As a case in point, you began by saying that the Bears that entered the field had “more malice…than ANY of the Hibs fans”. (My emphasis). The same Hibs fans who attacked the Rangers players and ran to the Rangers end of the stadium. Presumably also with no malice?
We bang on and on about the need for even handed media reporting in the MSM, I think it’s time we practised what we preached.
And since you mentioned it, I think it was a stupid statement for Rangers to make yesterday.
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Yes, at the time of entering the field, in my opinion, the Hibs fans, even those who ultimately shamed their club with violent acts, entered said field only wanting to make contact with their own players, and to celebrate with them. Sadly, when the opportunity transpired for the moronic element to confront players of the opposition, their true character shone through. I’d even go so far as to say, some of their moronic element, for I’m sure they had more morons in their ranks than the relative few who confronted the players.
On the other hand, I find it impossible to imagine that any of the TRFC supporters entered the field in a celebratory mood, they were intent on confronting whatever Hibs fans they could get near, whether to cause harm, or to encourage others to cause harm, their sole intent was malicious.
As to the Hibs fans who made it to the ‘Rangers’ end, well that is a character defect I fail to understand, and I can well understand the anger and desire to do something about it that must have entered the TRFC supporters heads. The normal people in the crowd, of course, would content themselves with a few sweery words and gestures, or just ignore it and go home, the abnormal ones, those that dance along in the streets with the flute bands and the like, they just can’t stop themselves from enjoying a good pagger, can they?
I am not interested in making the Hibs fans look innocent, they are, after all, Hibs fans, and as a collective, not my favourite bunch. If the TRFC supporters had stayed off the pitch, and/or the club hadn’t made such ridiculous statements, my words on the matter would have been to condemn the Hibs supporters who carried out any assaults – the word scum is too good for them. From what I’ve read on here, that is the general position of the blog.
You know, after what was such a good cup final, if the bears had left the ground in good order, and the club officials had contented themselves with a congratulations to the winners, while regretting the pitch invasion, your club would have earned itself a lot more brownie points from the rest of Scottish football on Saturday, than it has managed in it’s whole existence!
The reason for punishing both equally is simple. Throughout the match Rangers fans were indulging in Sectarian singing – a clear breach of the rules. No such singing could be heard from the hibs fans
Several pyrotechnics were discharged among the Rangers fans – a clear breach of the rules, not to mention downright dangerous. No sign of them amongst the hibs fans.
The intent of the majority of the hibs fans on the pitch was to celebrate. The idiots who got involved in anything more than that should be thrown in jail for a decent spell.
The intent of the majority of the rangers fans on the pitch (Although the overwhelming majority of Rangers fans at the game kept themselves out of it) was to attack the hibs fans. Again they should be thrown in jail for a decent spell.
Could be wrong, but I think many are jumping the gun over the breach of football regulations aspect to the SFA statement.
I don’t think it will be discussing the pitch invasion either – more likely a disrepute charge over TBS
It’s also worthwhile considering that whilst Petrie and others are guilty of complicity in turning a blind eye to much of what has gone on in the past several years, he won’t sit back meekly and accept the narrative that is being constructed in the press.
In fact in their statement tonight, Hibs are suggesting that the Commission set up ‘should have the widest ranging terms of reference’ which in turn suggests that Petrie has enough clout to insist that the SFA actually grow a pair and include ALL of the wrongdoing throughout the event.
If those terms of reference are widened in that way, there is no end of rainbow scenario for either club here.
The personal attacks on Petrie being carried out at TRFC’s behest by Keith Jackson are an attempt to neutralise his influence – and a fair indication that he is a regarded as a bad enemy to make.
Of course the cynic in me says that the belligerent rhetoric of TBS (all of which is aimed inside the tent) will prove to be empty enough as soon as the ST targets are reached, but in terms of strategic thinking, it’s a huge fail if it opens the sectarian songs can of worms.
The stupidity of the Hibs fans, may give succour to TRFC in the short term by allowing them to deflect from the issue of the defeat. However it may yet have an adverse long term effect.
All of this is contingent on the assumption that rational thought is behind TWS and TBS. This may well just be the meanderings of a dysfunctional organisation with no real proactive plan for the future. God only knows.