Leaving aside for the moment the Shadenfreude-laden giggling as first Celtic, and then Rangers departed the Champions League this season, it is worthwhile taking time to think on the reality of Scotland’s latter-day bit-part status in the game.
There are Celtic fans who try to rationalise it by pointing out that for them, the Stein years were a wonderful exception and not the norm. That however does not explain the European status of Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs, Dundee, Dundee United, Kilmarnock and Dunfermline in a period of roughly a quarter of a century from the beginning of European competition.
From the fifties to the eighties, Scottish clubs were feared and respected in Europe. Since then, only Martin O’Neil’s Celtic and Walter Smith’s Rangers have made an impression on the European scene.
So what has happened? Many blame the distraction of new technology, taking potential Johnstones and Baxters away from pursuing the soccer dream. I’m not convinced of that myself. They have game consoles and PCs in England and Italy and Germany as well. They also have them in Scandinavian countries where daylight hours and suitable weather are in even less abundance than in Scotland – and of course clubs from Scandinavian countries were both responsible for Celtic and Rangers fates this season.
Failure then breeds failure. Losing out one year means more (and earlier) qualifiers down the line. In this regard, you have to wonder at the claims of how “brilliantly” Celtic have been run over the last decade, when the club went into Euro qualifiers again and again unprepared in terms of personnel, even to the extent of using makeshift central defenders in several campaigns. Our clubs know its all coming, but year on year, we get caught on the hop by the timing of those early ties. Planning? Don’t make me laugh.
We are also faced with the reality that fans of clubs who are not in contention for a ECL group place, are usually fervently hoping that the quest ends in failure. Not because there is a deep hatred of either or both Celtic and Rangers, but because a Champions League place for a Scottish team gives the successful side an immeasurable financial advantage over the rest. Of course that attitude is understandable when you look at the reality for our clubs if one of their number makes it to the group stages.
Scottish football clubs rely heavily on gate income for survival because their media deals struck with broadcasters are so much poorer than in countries of similar size. ECL money – even if the successful side fails to score a goal or get a point on the board – is like all your Christmasses have come at once.
It is well known that the income gap between Celtic & Rangers and the rest is huge. The income gap between a Scottish Champions League team and the rest is even more massive. Yet if a Dutch, or Portuguese or Danish or Swedish side get a place in the group stages, the impact is not so great. Why? Because they have football administrators who can sell the game effectively, getting value for their product from the media.
This is the one area where our administrators have failed consistently and miserably.
The current football model where home teams keep their own gate money, and in some cases even have their own media contracts, is designed to (with the notable exception of England) create a few bigger fishes in a number of smaller ponds. It ultimately ends with the pantomime (which has not yet gone away) of the European Super League.
I wish I could say I had a solution to all this, but my instinct is to say that in the absence of a solution we should forget about Europe and its riches. Instead, lets return to a sport driven model of the game where there is a more equitable share of revenues. Forget the tuppence ha’penny TV contracts and give football back to the fans, live on a Saturday (Covid permitting). In time, the level of competition would increase, as would the quality of the product. The talk to the TV folk when they want to pay the going rate.
It might help if there was some kind of levy (listening indy supporters?) imposed on subscription service providers like Sky. £25m versus £1.5 billion is a much smaller fraction than that of Scottish subscribers to the Sky platform for example.
There is little we in Scotland can do to prevent the globalisation and Mafia-isation of the game internationally, but those things we CAN control, like turning inward to improve our game instead of, like Stella Dallas in the eponymous classic movie, standing in the rain looking through the window at the banquet elsewhere.
Of course it won’t happen.
Albertz11 9th September 2021 At 16:14
“Would you include Lord Hodge among those ” venal, frightened, disgracefully dishonest men were persuaded, or morally coerced to sell their very souls.”
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No way!
I would respond that the Supreme Court was adjudicating solely on the question of whether RFC were liable for tax , not on whether TRFC were the Rangers that owed the tax! TRFC has not been asked to pay that tax as they would have been if TRFC were indeed RFC of 1872
I would add that the ‘venal people’ that I refer to are those in football governance who allowed/allow the new club ,the undoubtedly new club ,to claim to be and to market itself as RFC of 1872!
Not for me to question a decision of the court arrived at on a matter that wasn’t even before it!
(As an aside, we don’t know what point Lord Hodge raised in his query about the administrators: Whatever it was he was satisfied with the answer.
The fact that the Liquidators were able years later to mount a strong challenge against the conduct of the Administration is not a reflection on Lord Hodge: it simply means that he was not deciding then on the efficiency/effectiveness of the Administrators.)
The word unique is now bein used to describe Bacuna’s transfer fee from Huddersfield. Its to be paid in installments and is based on appearances, European football, etc. Hopefully the Huddersfield owner/manager has kept abreast of financial goings on at Rangers and the installment plan ( share issues anyone) could mean a long pay out, He also hopes to recoup the fee they paid for Bacunas in the sell on fee clause. Rangers also have an excellent record of moving players on for big sums. As the circus people say there’s one born every minute.
Vernallen 10th September 13.44.
Most transfer fees are paid in installments and can include additional payments for appearances, goals scored, international recognition etc.
“financial goings on at Rangers and the installment plan”? Could you expand on this?
“As the circus people say” What? Now you’ve completely lost me.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
I appreciate you had no knowledge when you posted earlier today that Dominic McKay was about to resign as Celtic’s CEO after just 72 days in the job. If it’s illness related then best wishes go to him & his family. The rather cold tone of the statements issued by either side though would appear to suggest otherwise and i would therefore be interested in your opinion on the subject.
@A11 – I can’t talk for Vernallen but with regard to developments at CFC I would disagree with your “cold tone” interpretation. For me three points to note:
1. CFC are a listed company and statements to the market tend by their nature to be quite bland.
2. Dominic MacKay has stated personal reasons. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that CFC would therefore respect his privacy.
3. Dominic MacKay has been in post for 10 weeks – not long enough for a long-winded vote of thanks.
Am I disappointed? – yes I am.
Is it the end of the world? – no it’s not.
If he has put his hand up and said he can’t/doesn’t want to do the job then actually I am glad he had the courage to do so.
Will the board now follow due process and take time to find and appoint a successor? Yes they will.
Will the MSM make hay out of it and talk about a rudderless ship/ long time to appoint/etc? Yes they will.
Wokingcelt 10th September 21.56.
I do realise how any listed company’s statements to the market can appear rather bland. I still feel however that there was a distinct lack of warmth from both sides.
Celtic’s statement in particular was telling for me with reference being made to how the interim appointee Michael Nicholson “carries the confidence of the board and his colleagues” and ” Michael is an absolute team player”. Is this a indication that DMK was lacking in these areas?.
Maybe reading too much into it.
Albertz
I don’t think you are. Mention of his successes in ST sales, his role in the transfer window and helping the manager settle in would have been expected.
I have my own thoughts about the reasons behind it, but I have to confess that Michael Nicholson’s promotion had me fall off my bike. Don’t get Auldheid started on him. ?
wokingcelt 10th September 2021 At 21:56
‘..Will the MSM make hay out of it and talk about a rudderless ship/ long time to appoint/etc? Yes they will.’
%%%%%%
Yes ,of course they will, you may be sure.
With some few honourable exceptions , every man/woman jack among them has supported the lie that TRFC is RFC of 1872.
Truth means nothing to them.
They are as ball-less as the wretched Dr Goebbels was sung to be, in the lyrics of a war-time army song, when it comes to calling out the ridiculous untruth that TRFC is RFC of 1872.
Their ‘journalism’ is of the scabrous, mucky end of the market.
If a journalist buys into a lie, what is his/her worth? How does he/she assess his own worth, as a pedlar of untruth?
Die for the cause of journalistic truth?
Don’t make me laugh!
Sell their souls for a few inches of lying copy.
Not one ‘journalist’ has ever explained why he/she believes that TRFC is RFC of 1872!
They haven’t even the guts to attempt to justify their stance, because that would mean expressing doubt about the validity of the claim that TRFC is RFC of 1872.
And to express that doubt means trouble for them.
The miserable wretches that they are!
Big Pink 10th September 22.51.
Time will tell i guess.
Re- MN, he would appear to be part of the old guard at the club.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Celtic’s Director of Legal and Football Affairs Michael Nicholson, who has been with the Club since 2013, has been appointed to the Board of Celtic plc as acting Chief Executive Officer.
He has been at the centre of executive decision making at Celtic during his time at the club, working directly with the Board, the Chief Executive and the Football Department.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Although he has been appointed “acting CEO” the statement reads to me like this could be a permanent appointment.
Once again i may be wrong.
Albertz
Certainly very much an ‘Affirmative Cap’n’ type if guy, but he’s clearly not qualified to run a business. Maybe an MBA to pad out his legal degree, but zero experience in running a business, far less a football club. I’d be surprised , no astonished, if he got the gig.
Albertz11 10th September 2021 At 22:38
‘.Maybe reading too much into it.
Big Pink 10th September 2021 At 22:51
‘.I don’t think you are.’
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I have been critical of the PR people at Ibrox.
I am hypercritical of that PR statement from Celtic Park!
Is there no one at Ibrox or Parkhead who has a scooby about making PR statements?
God, I’m bloody sure that even I could do better!
Big Pink 11th September 00.02
Given the events at Parkhead over the past year or so would ANYTHING really surprise/astonish you?
Albertz11 — 10th Sept — 2021 — 21:33
I do understand the installment plan regarding the payment of transfer fees. However with the rumored state of Ranger’s finances I would have thought that the selling team would have looked for something up front. With the receiving team (Rangers) able to dictate playing time, etc, the idea of add-ons for appearances, goals, etc would be of concern to me. Who is this player going to replace except for some early cup games against weaker clubs. As for the circus comment if you have ever visited a fairground and played their games of chance you would understand where that expression came from and it could be applied to the hundreds of creditors let high and dry in 2012. As for the tone of the statement regarding the resignation of the Celtic CEO, its far better to have something in the open, even if its cold, which far exceeds the resignation statement, or media release, surrounding Warburton and his staff. That wasn’t cold, that was frigid.
Albertz: Given the events at Parkhead over the past year or so would ANYTHING really surprise/astonish you?
—————
Not really I suppose. Alan McDonald and Ian McLeod, two people I worked for (and most certainly their own men) were both pushed aside for doing the job of a CEO, making decisions which one particular shareholder didn’t like.
Anyone who is anything other than a messenger and a yes man to Dermot Desmond is always gonna be a candidate for an early bath, but McKay’s exit so soon into his tenure is only explained by;
A personal reason,
Lack of proper due diligence by the board and the outgoing CEO,
Panic in Dublin that he was not onside with DD.
I think we can safely discount the first of these, and consequently, the lack of good corporate governance in respect of the board membership is brought into stark relief.
Vernallen 11th September 02.03
“However with the rumored state of Ranger’s finances”.
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What rumours?.
………………………
” As for the circus comment if you have ever visited a fairground”
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A circus and a fairground are two entirely different enterprises in my experience, hence my comment.
Circus = Animals, Trapeze, High Wire
Fairground = Dodgems, Roller Coasters etc
Sorry if it sounds a bit pedantic but it is what it is.
………………………………………
“As for the tone of the statement regarding the resignation of the Celtic CEO, its far better to have something in the open, even if its cold”
………………………………………………………………………………..
Not exactly in the open when it raises more questions than it answers is it?.
If you were aware of the timeline and circumstances of Mark Warburtons departure then you would understand the wording in the Rangers statement.
‘Albertz11 11th September 2021 At 09:17
…If you were aware of the timeline and circumstances of Mark Warburtons departure then you would understand the wording in the Rangers statement.’
::
::
My recollection is that Mr. Warburton himself was unaware of the ‘timeline and circumstances’ of his departure & didn’t realise that he had resigned until TRFC issued a statement indicating that he had done so!
Jingo.jimsie 11th September 11.11
I would suggest that Mr Warburton was very cute in the language used at the time.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
‘Show us an email, a letter, a phone call indicating we want to resign’,.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
No mention of a verbal resignation which is just as effective
…………………………………………………………………………………..
“Two weeks later I got contacted by Forest for the first time, that’s the absolute truth.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Maybe the first time he specifically was contacted, but not the first time one of his backroom team who was working on his behalf, was contacted.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Albertz11 –11th sept 2021 — 9:17
Circus and fairgrounds probably have different meanings depending on what side of the ocean you are on. This side of the ocean both these venues have midways which are quite happy to have you part with your money. Something like a certain football club, in the past, asking for a service to be provided and not reciprocating with payment. If you logged on to any other blogs it might surprise you to see there is concern expressed by others, including Ranger sites, about the finances. Even Follow Follow has expressed concern at times. I agree with jingso.jimsie that Mr. Warburton was unaware of his resignation until the TRFC statement landed with the media. Whatever became of the action Warburton and his staff took to remedy this resignation fiasco.
While we are reminiscing, whatever happened to the private investigator who allegedly tampered with Alfredo’s car ? Did the case ever make it to court ?
Guess he would have to press charges against his missus for that to happen Paddy….. Awkward !
From Stephen Halliday ( of the Scotsman)
Saturday, 11th September 2021, 6:07 pm this quote from Postecoglou:
” “We have to be careful with the narrative of who brought me to the club,” added the Australian coach who took charge of Celtic in the summer ” ”
Enigmatic or what?
In plain speak, what the feck does ‘careful with the narrative of who brought me to the club’ mean?
Honest to God!
I hope that’s not what he was told to say by the interim CEO .
Because it instantly raises questions about HIS feckin common sense!
And if Postecoglou is speaking off his own bat, what the hell is he suggesting?
Is there no one at Parkhead with any more PR savvy than the PR people at Ibrox?
One thing I learned from my experience as a semi pro athlete and a participant in elite amateur programs was that the coaches/mangers always stressed focus on the team and its objectives. This also held true for the coaches and managers along with the support staff. We have two former Ranger players who are in management positions or still playing for another club constantly banging on about issues at Celtic and lately living in the very distant past regarding games against Lyon. How do teammates and players feel, are they getting proper attention and preparation, is one of the above fully committed to his team. Those games in 2007 have nothing to do with any up coming games and I would think both parties would be better attending to their current teams. Or, if they want to be journalists why not dig into the goings on at their former team. How widespread is the Covid issue, what are the true state of finances, how come two stalwarts from last season haven’t signed new deals. Hopefully they will get focused on their teams.
Vernallen
I’d suggest that Bloggers & Fans forums may not have access to sensitive financial information at Rangers or any other club for that matter.
I doubt that mainly ghost written columns that churn out nonsensical pap actually detracts from their main job tbh. Any lack of success may just be the result of not being very good as a coach.
Should all clubs provide information regarding the health, finance & contractual situations at their club or just Rangers?
Albertz11 — 12th sept 2021 — 18:49
Clubs that are listed on a recognized stock exchange have a certain degree of transparency in the matters you listed. A club that is not listed on a recognized stock exchange, and hasn’t been for a while, is not subject to the same rules and regulations of others that are listed. That scenario leaves the goings on of said club open to conjecture in regards to the financial status, advertising commitments ( cinch anyone), and therefore its a closed shop in regards to reporting etc.
Vernallen 13th September 01.14.
Whether a company is listed on the LSE or similar plays no part whatsoever when it comes to disclosing information on the latest covid, contractual or financial situation at any given time.
I would however ask you again if this should be standard practise for every club, or just one in particular?
As an aside the annual set of accounts released by Rangers in the past few years are the most transparent i have seen.
New podcast. Particularly of interest to Celtic fans, but I am sure will also be of interest to us all.
http://podcast.sfm.scot/e/twm-33-celtic-and-corporate-governance/
“John McGinn: Chelsea condemn sectarian abuse aimed at Aston Villa midfielder”
There are many ways, I suppose, to respond to the above (latest example) of anti-Irish and anti-Catholic racism, and I offer the blog some of my thoughts below.:-
I find it ironic that this is highlighted to such a degree by the English media, and even if the subject is covered by the gutless SMSM, the issues raised will not merit much of a talking point north of the border. The sort of scenario outlined above has been perpetrated throughout the history of Scottish football, and will never evoke such a response as there has been down south … and yes I am unapologetically referring directly to the Catholic Irish in Scotland – with specific reference to followers of Celtic. I would support what I have just written by stating my belief that this particular form of abuse of Celtic by Rangers followers has never been adequately reported, or challenged, by the ‘powers that be’ in Scottish society.
Must be great to share The Divine Right of WATP (for this – check the video evidence from the Chelsea v Aston Villa game)!
https://www.afc.co.uk/2021/09/14/spfl-member-clubs-invest-in-independent-advice-on-strategic-review/
SPFL Member Clubs- Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian, with the endorsement of the SPFL, have commissioned independent advisers to assist in a strategic and holistic review of the SPFL.
Bect67
I don’t know to what extent sectarianism WoS style has infected Chelsea, but it is worth noting that McGinn has never played for Celtic. Is it just one rogue arsehole football tourist who brought our brand of racism to London. Certainly Cheksea have had Catholics play for them, even ones of Irish descent. In fact one Irish Catholic Shettlestonian managed the club in the 60s.
It is all so depressing, but the FA’s response to a recent incident involving James McLean is encouraging. Can’t cherrypick anti-racism-unless you’re Murdo Fraser?
With respect BP, it is not central to my post that McGinn has never played for Celtic, or that Chelsea has had historic Catholic ‘connections’. Furthermore, I’m not at all interested if the ‘eejit’ spewing this vile was indeed a ‘rogue arsehole tourist’. These are surely moot points – at least to me. Am I being paranoid (!) in finding your reply a ‘tad’ dismissive and disingenuous- especially wrt the reference to Murdo Fraser?
Chelsea and the (English) FA’s responses have indeed been positive (and somewhat ironic) in the context of McGinn’ and McLean abuse- but the fact remains that such a reaction would not take place here (because of the power of an entrenched Scottish ‘establishment’) should it happen in a situation involving , let’s say, a Celtic and/ or a Celtic player at Ibrox.
That remains my view. I believe passionately and wholeheartedly in what I posted.
It is so depressing to witness the reductive approach of the media in Scotland to instances of abuse suffered by James Maclean, James McCarthy and now John McGinn. Pretending it is some how a ‘lesser’ crime by mislabelling such abuse prevents acceptance ,acknowledgement and education. It is helpful to neither the abused nor the abuser.
From my inbox this afternoon:
“Lausanne, 14 September 2021 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by Brazilian football official Ricardo Terra Teixeira against the decision taken by the Ethics Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) dated 26 July 2019 (the Challenged Decision).
The Challenged Decision, in which Ricardo Terra Teixeira was found to have violated Article 27 of the FIFA Ethics Code (bribery), fined CHF 1 million, and banned for life from taking part in any football-related activity at national and international level, is confirmed.
On 20 December 2019, Ricardo Terra Teixeira filed an appeal at the CAS against the Challenged Decision, seeking a declaration that FIFA did not have jurisdiction to prosecute him as well as the annulment of the Challenged Decision.
The CAS Panel appointed to decide the matter: Mr Hendrik Willem Kesler (Netherlands), President, Judge Rauf Soulio (Australia) and Prof. Luigi Fumagalli (Italy) held a hearing with the parties by video conference on 24 February 2021 after several dates that had been fixed for an in-person hearing in 2020 had to be cancelled due to restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its deliberations, the CAS Panel comfortably concluded that Ricardo Terra Teixeira had breached Article 27 of the FIFA Ethics Code and determined that the sanction imposed in the Challenged Decision was proportionate considering the extraordinarily high amounts of the bribes at stake,
Ricardo Terra Teixeira’s intentional behaviour, and his responsibility to serve as a role model as a result of the very prominent and senior positions he held in association football both at national and international level. Consequently, the Panel dismissed the appeal and confirmed the Challenged Decision in full.”
The first sentence of the last para seems to be missing a principal clause?
(note: One Swiss franc currently = 79p)
Yes it’s good that people ‘in prominent and senior positions in association football ‘ get called to account for abusing their positions.
Wish it happened here!
Bect7
I wasn’t arguing with your post and you have misunderstood my point.
Albertz11 — 13th sept 2021 -12:54
Transparency should apply to all clubs in regards to the areas discussed and a stronger guiding hand from the directors of Scottish football would perhaps make this possible. However based on performance that is highly suspect. Is it possible that the Rangers accounts released in recent years are transparent due to the red hue attached to them. What about the accounts published prior to the recent years.
Cluster One 14th September 2021 At 18:51
1 0 Rate This
https://www.afc.co.uk/2021/09/14/spfl-member-clubs-invest-in-independent-advice-on-strategic-review/
SPFL Member Clubs- Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian, with the endorsement of the SPFL, have commissioned independent advisers to assist in a strategic and holistic review of the SPFL.
++++++++++++++++
It was only 4 years ago that the SPFL themselves said there should be an independent review into how they and the SFA handled Rangers EBT’s in the light of them being proven illegal beyond doubt. The SFA responded by saying “you can’t rake over old coals”. Not one of those clubs backed the review. Some even publicly agreed with the SFA.
Forgive me for being cynical about this. It may be well intentioned enough, but as a football nation we are so backward we can’t even make use of VAR when affordable versions are available. We also have a Refereeing appointments system blighted by nepotism, which fails to meet any of the diversity and inclusion criteria other organisations are bound to meet by law. We accept sub standard plastic pitches in the top league. We accept that there should be no financial fair play. This review will not have the power to change any of that.
It is unquestionably the case that there is rot and inefficiency at the heart of Scottish Football and that the various Board members in office from time to time since before 2012 are largely responsible for that state of affairs.
The Board has accordingly lost all credibility and authority.
The ‘commissioning’ (!) off their own bat of an independent review of the SPFL by only 5 members of that League surely points up the lack of trust in the present Board and the recognition that it is unfit for purpose.
Any Board that loses the governance initiative and finds itself having meekly to agree to ‘cooperate’ with a ‘review’ commissioned without as much as a by your leave by a faction of the league membership should resign immediately as having abandoned all pretence of exercising proper governance.
Honest to God!
With deceit and incompetence at its very heart, Scottish Football as an honest Sport has no chance of prospering, and the ‘commissioning ‘of an independent review that does not tackle the Big Lie head on is a waste of time.
John Clark 15th September 2021 At 11:40
Why should we even accept Delloite’s views anyway? Over a lifetime I came to expect that Consultants often came up with things that were already known, or to suit the wishes of those who were paying them.
In terms of Independent reviews we only have to look at the LNS review of Rangers EBT’s to see how the paymasters get their own way, with the paymasters even making up a previously unheard of rule, which had never never used before and has never been used since, in order to get their desired outcome.
Mention of Deloittes made me download their Annual Review of Football Finance 2021. I wished I hadn’t when I started to read the section headed ” NFTs and the iteration of football fandom” (p.50)
NFT’s? Non-fungible Tokens. (= non-mutually interchangeable)
An IT technophobe’s nightmare read, like reading about ‘blockchain and bitcoin etc.
[Incidentally, in the general report, I saw the word ‘Scottish ‘ appear only once when reference was made to ‘other European leagues’, the whole report relating solely to the Big 5 European premier leagues]
I’m still intrigued at the idea of a consultancy firm accepting a ‘commission’ from a few members of a company rather than from the Board of the Company. Deloitte must be thinking ‘That has to be the starting point of any review: the feckin powerlessness and uselessness of the Board’ !
John C
I think the commission would be pretty toothless if the SPFL board didn’t cooperate with the inquiry. I have had no sense whether or not the board are happy or otherwise about it, but I would guess they acceded to the request/demand in the safe knowledge that it would be stonewalled at worst or that it would be a show at best.
We await developments. ?
Big Pink 16th September 2021 At 12:11
‘….but I would guess they acceded to the request/demand in the safe knowledge that it would be stonewalled ‘
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I don’t doubt that the SPFL will cooperate only to try to ensure that unpalatable truths are not unearthed!
But I ‘m genuinely puzzled how a handful of members can authorise/commission a review [which is really a kind of ‘no confidence’ statement] without a majority vote an extraordinary general meeting of all members of the SPFL?
It just sort of reinforces the view that the SPFL is drifting helplessly, with a Board that has abdicated responsibility.
https://twitter.com/chris_sutton73/status/1438496638012645387
‘John Clark 15th September 2021 At 11:40
…The Board has accordingly lost all credibility and authority.
The ‘commissioning’ (!) off their own bat of an independent review of the SPFL by only 5 members of that League surely points up the lack of trust in the present Board and the recognition that it is unfit for purpose.
Any Board that loses the governance initiative and finds itself having meekly to agree to ‘cooperate’ with a ‘review’ commissioned without as much as a by your leave by a faction of the league membership should resign immediately as having abandoned all pretence of exercising proper governance.’
::
::
I think this is a masterful piece of sleight-of-hand by the SPFL. The review is being carried out with the permission of the SPFL, but not directly under their auspices.
If the SPFL deem that the review has been worthwhile & there are are points to take forward/changes to be made, then it’s a win-win. The SPFL is at arms-length from any controversy arising from the findings & it hasn’t cost them anything.
If the SPFL deem the review a load of tosh, then again they have the position of being at arms-length from any controversy & again it hasn’t cost them anything.
Welcome to Ibrox .
https://content.invisioncic.com/Mrangmedia/monthly_2021_09/1AAA6D68-3A74-41FD-995C-1D5B10228CAE.jpeg.bcb6e8bb5d5ce73f63754e56add702ae.jpeg
After the opposition bus attack, and now the latest admission that Sevco cannot guarantee the safety of sports commentators in a secluded section of the stadium, what chance for rival fans?.
If safety is so problematic, stadium closures must be a considered option.
Re TRFC’s decision to withdraw stadium access to two BT Sport pundits on ‘security grounds’:
I’ve had a quick look at the regulations.
https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulations-of-the-UEFA-Europa-League-2021/22/Article-78-Audiovisual-rights-holder-facilities-Online
There appears, at first glance, to be nothing to stop TRFC withdrawing access from accredited individuals working for the media. However, the home club is responsible for the security of ‘audiovisual rights-holders areas’ where, I would assume, said pundits would have been sequestered.
Clause 78.13 –
“All security measures that may be reasonably required to safeguard and control the audiovisual rights-holder areas (including the OB van area) are the responsibility of the club. The security of all audiovisual rights-holder areas is the responsibility of the club. These areas must not be accessible to the public and should have 24-hour manned security from the start of installations to the departure of all audiovisual rights-holder personnel and equipment.”
Is Stewart Robertson actually stating that it would take an unreasonable amount of security measures to ensure the safety of two pundits within clearly-defined areas in the stadium? That’s a fairly clear admission that the club can’t control its supporters within its own ground.
Or is it just another dog-whistle to the supporters?
John C wrote
It just sort of reinforces the view that the SPFL is drifting helplessly, with a Board that has abdicated responsibility.
——-
Indeed
Would the latest Ranger’s ploy on banning commentators from their grounds be possibly related to comments from the duo not showing Ranger’s in a positive light. Its also interesting that both men had strong links to Celtic. Also wasn’t it Rangers that started this trend when refusing to allocate tickets to Celtic fans for games at Ibrox. They are slowly placing themselves on an island in regards to media support (unless you wanted to pay $25K) and rival fan supporters which now seems to be spreading to other clubs which is an unfortunate step for all involved.
I see Rangers B have been handed a SPFL Trust Trophy lifeline as Ayr United were charged over two ineligible players. Ayr United missed a trick, because if they had been paying the players hundreds of thousands via an illegal tax scheme, backed with side letters which had not been declared to the SFA, it would all have been fine…I mean, Rangers themselves could have told them that!
upthehoops 17th September 2021 At 08:05
From the crypt ?
upthehoops.
From earlier this season.
……………………………………
Hearts Women hit with punishments after ineligible players ‘mistake’ in League Cup
Hearts Women have accepted punishments for listing ineligible players in Sunday’s League Cup win over St Johnstone.
The team defeated the Saints 1-0 at Oriam on Sunday thanks to a goal from Lia Tweedie.
However, the result has been reverted to a 3-0 win for St Johnstone due to the infraction, while the club have been hit with a £200 fine.
“Heart of Midlothian Football Club accepts the sanctions issued to Hearts Women for listing ineligible players in their League Cup victory over St Johnstone on Sunday,” a club statement said.
The WATP cancel culture, virtue signalling, gaslighting and identity politics (!) policies concisely, and expertly, summarised by Mark Derrywall – no doubt ably endorsed by the likes of RC …
“BT were told in March 2020 not to bring Sutton back”
“Lennon is the most divisive figure in Scottish society over the last 20 years and his behaviour on a number of accounts has been reprehensible and the club would not want such a person on the premises”
…and all because a previous lawbreaking and morally decrepit entity went shamefully bust – through nobody’s fault but their own!
I suppose Sevco feel entitled to tell BT how to run their operation, treating them as shabbily as The Society of Shafted Creditors. That may well ‘rebound’ on them as BT have belatedly reported the ‘case’ to UEFA, who will maybe see this a wee bit differently from most of our media.
Rewriting Dungwall’s egregious comments on Neil Lennon might go something like this:-
“TRFC has been the most divisive presence on the Scottish football scene over who knows how many years, and its behaviour on a number of accounts ( especially annual!)has been reprehensible, and the football authorities should not want them in their structure ” Aye right, I hear some say!
Ah well, more in hope than expectation, I type away and post here to cheer myself up, and ‘keep the faith’ that, some day, they will be brought to justice!
Whit an angry, unhappy mob Sevcoites are.
upthehoops 17th September 2021 At 08:05
‘…Ayr United missed a trick, because if they had been paying the players hundreds of thousands via an illegal tax scheme, backed with side letters which had not been declared to the SFA,..’
%%%%%%%%%%
Why did no one at Ayr United call in Bryson? I’m sure he might have sorted things out for them, if he had thought it worthwhile doing?
[Is he still around in Scottish football , with his ridiculous reasoning?]
In regards to the Ranger’s ban of two former Celtic players, now employed as commentators, would it not have carried more weight if they had at the same time, and, after a lengthy review, announced the banning of those fans voicing the not so pleasant songs heard every second week. Start by cleaning up their own backyard, then, have a look at the “security” issues posed by commentators well away from the fans. Instead of a pitch invasion we may have a commentator’s stand invasion.
A curiosity perhaps but just noticing whilst watching football tonight that Newcastle have same shirt manufacturers as TRFC and said manufacturer being a niche/ breakthrough type of brand. Curious that they have the Ashley link (well known for his tentacles in sportswear). Of course I am too old to be aware of the “cool brands” these days but are things as they seem?
Ps – on brands, Winfield 4 stripes (from Woolies) rather than Adidas Kick for me as a kid!!!!
‘wokingcelt 17th September 2021 At 21:57
A curiosity perhaps but just noticing whilst watching football tonight that Newcastle have same shirt manufacturers as TRFC and said manufacturer being a niche/ breakthrough type of brand…’
::
::
Wolves also use Castore as their strip supplier.
Had you turned to BT Sport last night & the Gallagher Rugby Premiership, you would have seen that Saracens (one of the ‘sexy’ teams in that competition) wearing Castore kit. The West Indies cricket team also wear Castore.
Fights with sponsors, fights with broadcasters……..Anyone else smell scorched earth?
From the BBC’s gossip column, a statement, apparently from the Livingston manager….Livingston manager David Martindale aims to take advantage of their “horrific” pitch when Celtic visit the Tony Macaroni Arena on Sunday. (Scotsman)
Last season was great, getting rid of 2 plastic pitches – one more to go! Apologies to any fans of those 3 clubs, but it’s not right.
I can hardly wait for the unofficial championship flag to be unfurled tomorrow. Who designed it and what relevance does it carry if its not recognized by the sfa/sfpl ( who apparently were not invited) to the flag raising. How does the league sponsor feel in regards to another snub by this self important entity. How prominent will the number 55 be in the flag along with a union jack. Too bad orange conflicts with red, white and blue. Hopefully the police are lined up for any post game carry over celebrations.
vernallen 18th September 2021 At 18:52
I can’t help but feel if any other club was acting in this way there would already be threats of sanctions by the SPFL. On another note I am reading that BT have reported Rangers to UEFA for their rather pathetic actions (IMO) on Thursday evening involving Mr Sutton and Mr Lennon. Also, pictures all over social media of one of their official media partners heading up an orange walk in Glasgow today. Is Rangers current stance over the media really where they want to be?
Jingso.Jimsie 18th September 2021 At 10:20
‘..The West Indies cricket team also wear Castore.’
%%%%%%%%%%%
From the Castore company website ‘about us’ pge
“We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best”
As regards ‘unique technical fabrics’ they may very well have super-quality fabrics for use in the kind of clobber bought by athletes at the Andy Murray end of the market.
But for use in ‘fitba’ taps’ for the average fan and his weans? I rather doubt it!
Fair-minded as ever, though, I’d be interested in hearing some fabrics-expert’s opinion as to whether Castore-brand fitba’ taps are ‘fabrically unique’
My post at 21.16
My source for Castore’s webpage is https://castore.com/pages/about-castore/
Can somebody ask the SFA and SPFL what exactly does a club need to do to bring the game into disrepute ?
Going by what the Gers have done all the other clubs effectively have carte Blanche to do as they like as the Gers have got away with so many indiscretions that can be used as precedents
John Clark 18th September 2021 @ 21:16:
John, I replied to ‘wokingcelt 17th September 2021 @ 21:57’ because he was (to my mind, at least) suggesting that there was some correlation between TRFC & NUFC sporting Castore kit & that the connection was BMA. (I’m aware that there’s a popular rumour that BMA is an investor in Castore’s parent company.)
I pointed out that Wolves (no BMA connection, AFAIK) also use Castore. I also pointed out that there’s a couple of ‘big’ teams in other sports that use the same supplier.
The people behind the brand seem to be ‘growing’ it quite successfully. I’m not in a position to comment whether their professional products are technically advanced, or superior, to the competition. As to whether their replica team kit is of similar quality (technically), again I’m not able to say, although I would doubt it. Every company pushes the boundaries when advertising its products. Castore is no different.
I have just been blocked! Nothing offensive, just wondering why! HELP!
Bect67
?
Thanks BP. I went to submit my comment and was asked to explain myself. The SFM logo was in the top left of the page.
BP
No idea what that is. There’s no comment awaiting approval or in Spam. If it happens again, send a screenshot ?
Stewart Robertson moans on one hand about the lack of tv money in scottish football. Then uses the other hand to upset a major sponsor of European tournaments. Where was this action when he was at Motherwell, or, has he been injected with a blue dye that turns him into a constant moaner, amassing portfolios on the SPFL/SFA, picking fights with a league sponsor, banning tv commentators, etc. Will the real Stewart Robertson stand up, or, is this all an act for their somewhat questionable fan base ( not all, but a good chunk).
bect67 19th September 2021 At 12:34
‘…BP…..
send a screenshot ?’
%%%%%%%%%
Mention of screenshot prompts me to ask: what happens to Stella Dallas? What does she do?
I can’t find the answer to that!
I can however say, with shame, that away back in 1964 while walking along past Parkhead Cross in Glasgow in company with, to me, a ‘better class’ lassie, I walked straight past my old man in his Corporation uniform.
He of course never mentioned it, and I try to hope that he might not even have seen see me.
But I still feel really lousy about it.
And I wonder: is any shame felt by ‘honest ‘people who supported the RFC of 1872 when they have bought into the big Lie?
vernallen 19th September 2021 @ 23:57hrs:
The question is whether Mr. Robertson is acting independently in his role as MD of TRFC or whether the board of RIFC is making the bullets & having Mr. Robertson fire them?
I think it’s the latter. I wonder if he realises the reputational damage he’s doing to himself in (apparently) being unable to say ‘No!’, or perhaps, ‘That’s not a good idea.’ to the RIFC board? I suspect he sees his next post as CEO of the SFA or SPFL. How will that pan out?
(There is, of course, a chance that RIFC/TRFC are ‘right’ & almost everybody else in Scottish football is ‘wrong’! It’s Scotland, after all, & we have Messrs. Maxwell & Doncaster steering their respective clown-cars to the best of their limited abilities.)
Monday 20th September 2021
Ayr United
Rangers
SPFL TRUST TROPHY
SPFL STATEMENT
SPFL TRUST TROPHY – RANGERS B V AYR UNITED – 20/09/21
At a disciplinary hearing today (Monday 20 September 2021) a Committee of the Board of the SPFL acting as a Tribunal considered a complaint that Ayr United FC in Playing Kinlay Bilham and Alex Jeanes in their SPFL Trust Trophy match against Rangers B on Tuesday 14 September 2021 were in breach of the Regulations in respect of the competition.
Both players were listed as substitutes and entered the field of play at 81 minutes. Ayr United FC admitted breaching SPFL Rules and Regulations by Playing the players in the match when they were, at the time of the match, Registered at the Scottish FA to West of Scotland League clubs Irvine Meadow XI (in the case of Mr Bilham) and Girvan (in the case of Mr Jeanes).
The Tribunal imposed the following sanctions:
(i) the Club was reprimanded and warned as to future conduct; and
(ii) the result of the match was annulled and instead recorded as a 3-0 victory for Rangers B.
No financial penalty was imposed on Ayr United.
Jingso.Jimsie — 20th Sept 2021 — 11:25
If as you suggest Stewart Robertson is being used by the board in firing all those bullets, I feel sorry for him. That is no position to put someone in and as you say the damage down the line could be rather harsh. Also if he sees himself as a CEO of the SFA/SFPL how would other clubs look at that appointment based on his performance to date in the Ranger’s chair/spotlight. How he must miss the Motherwell days.
vernallen 20th September 2021 At 19:24
If he is appointed some time in the (near) future the other clubs would just accept it as they have accepted everything else. Remember Gordon Smith?
For example all the other clubs put up their manager for interview on Sportscene and don’t complain about the one exception.
Albertz11 20th September 2021 At 18:05
SPFL TRUST TROPHY – RANGERS B V AYR UNITED – 20/09/21
the result of the match was annulled and instead recorded as a 3-0 victory for Rangers B.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
It’s amazing how often the football authorities have managed to punish the relative minnows of our game over the years with 0-3 reverses for rule breaches such as that of Ayr United’s registration errors.
They seem to have no problem in applying the rules and sanctions when they only affect insignificant clubs (or do I mean companies?), yet do everything in their power to admonish the big boys.
Compare and contrast Ayr’s fate with 2012 Rangers, when every effort was made by those football authorities to contort themselves through linguistic gymnastics to exonerate and fail to adequately punish a club guilty of industrial scale cheating described at the time as second only in severity to match-fixing.
Vernallen
I have had it on good authority for sometime that MFC don’t miss him.
vernallen 20th September 2021 @ 19:24hrs:
Stewart Robertson represents TRFC, the member club of the SFA & the SPFL. He’s a member of the SPFL Board, one of three members representing the cinch Premiership. He seems to see nothing strange in this role acting for his club & the wider Premiership in a competition which is sponsored by a company that his club do not wish to do business with. TRFC is actually in dispute with the SPFL over this. That’s surely a conflict of interest & he should recuse himself until the sponsorship issue is settled.
He’s been scathing about the governance & commercial dealings of the SFA & the SPFL for several years, yet very little has changed. He’s been an ‘insider’ for quite a while. I wonder what backing Mr. Robertson has among his fellow MDs/CEOs. Does he have ‘personal’ allies among them? Does he have (shall we say) ‘ideological’ supporters? Are his peers apathetic to his complaints? Perhaps someone better informed could enlighten us?