UEFA Club Licensing. – To Comply or not to Comply ?
On 16 April 2018 The UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) adjudicatory chamber took decisions in the cases of four clubs that had been referred to it by the CFCB chief investigator, concerning the non-fulfilment of the club licensing criteria defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations.
Such criteria must be complied with by the clubs in order to be granted the licence required to enter the UEFA club competitions.
The cases of two clubs::
Olympique des Alpes SA (Sion Switzerland )
and
FC Irtysh (Kazakhstan)
are of particular interest to those following the events under which the SFA awarded a UEFA License to Rangers FC in 2011 currently under investigation by the SFA Compliance Officer because
- The case documentation tell us how UEFA wish national associations to apply UEFA FFP rules
- The cases tell us what might have happened to Rangers FC in 2012 had they not gone into liquidation and as a consequence avoided the same type of sanctions that UEFA applied to Sion and Irtysh.
FC Sion (Olympique des Alpes SA)
Here we are told how the Swiss FL and then the UEFA CFCB acted in respect of FC Sion in 2017 where a misleading statement was made in the Sion UEFA licensing application.
Full details can be read at
but this is a summary.
In April 2017 the Swiss FL (SFL) granted a licence to Sion FC but indicated that a Disciplinary case was pending.
In July 2017 the CFCB, as part of their licence auditing programme, carried out a compliance audit on 3 clubs to determine if licences had been properly awarded. Sion was one of those clubs.
The subsequent audit by Deloitte LLP discovered Sion had an overdue payable on a player, amounting to €950,000, owed to another football club (FC Sochaux ) at 31st March 2017 as a result of a transfer undertaken by Sion before 31st December 2016, although the €950,000 was paid in early June 2017.
Deloitte produced a draft report of their findings that was passed to SFL and Sion for comment on factual accuracy and comment on the findings. Sion responded quickly enabling Deloitte to present a final report to the CFCB Investigation Unit. In response to the Deloitte final report Sion stated:
“il apparaît aujourd’hui qu’il existait bel et bien un engagement impayé découlant d’une activité de transfert. Ce point est admis” translated as
“it now appears that there was indeed an outstanding commitment arising from transfer activity. This is admitted”
What emerged as the investigation proceeded was that the Swiss FL Licensing Committee, after granting the license in April and as a result of a Sochaux complaint of non-payment to FIFA, had reason to refer Sion’s application to their Disciplinary Commission in May 2017 with regard to the submission of potentially misleading information by FC Sion to the SFL on 7th April 2017 as part of its licensing documentation.
Sion had declared
“Written confirmation: no overdue payables arising from transfer activities”, signed by the Club’s president, stating that as at 31 March 2017 there were no overdue payables towards other football clubs. In particular, the Club indicated that the case between FC Sion and FC Sochaux regarding the transfer of the player Ishmael Yartey was still under dispute.
The SFL Disciplinary Commission came to the conclusion that FC Sion had no intention to mislead the SFL, but indeed submitted some incorrect licensing documentation; the SFL Disciplinary Commission further confirmed that the total amount of €950,000 had been paid by the Club to FC Sochaux on 7 June 2017. Because of the inaccurate information submitted, the SFL Disciplinary Commission decided to impose a fine of CHF 8,000 on the Club.
Whilst this satisfied the SFL Disciplinary process the CFCB deemed it not enough to justify the granting of the licence as UEFA intended their FFP rules to be applied.
Sion provided the CFCB with a number of reasons on the basis of which no sanction should be imposed. In particular, the Club admitted that there was an overdue payable as at 31 March 2017, but stated that the mistake in the document dated 7 April 2017 was the result of a misinterpretation by the club’s responsible person for dealing with the licence (the “Club’s licence manager”), who is not a lawyer. The Club affirmed that it never had the intention to conceal the information and had provisioned the amount due for payment and that, in any case, it has already been sanctioned by the SFL for providing the wrong information.
The CFCB Investigation Unit accepted that the Sion application, although inaccurate, was a one off misrepresentation and not a forgery, (as in intended to deceive ) but that nevertheless an overdue payable did exist at 31st March and a licence should not have been granted.
Based on their findings, the CFCB Chief Investigator decided to refer the case to the CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber and suggested a disciplinary measure to be imposed on FC Sion by the CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber, such measure consisting of a fine of €235,000, corresponding to the UEFA Revenues the Club gained by participating in the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa League.
The CFCB Investigatory Chamber submitted that it was appropriate to impose a fine corresponding to all the UEFA revenues the Club gained by participating in the competition considering the fact that FC Sion should not have been admitted to the competition for failing to meet one of its admission criteria.
The Adjudicatory Chambers took all the circumstances (see paras 91 to 120 at http://tiny.cc/i8sxsy ) into consideration and reached the following key decisions.
- FC Sion failed to satisfy the requirements of Article 49(1) of the CL&FFP Regulations and it obtained the licence issued by the SFL not in accordance with the CL&FFP Regulations.
- FC Sion breached Articles 13(1) and 43(1)(i) of the CL&FFP Regulations. (Documents complete and correct)
- To exclude FC Sion from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify in the next two (2) seasons (i.e. the 2018/19 and 2019/20).
- To impose a fine of two hundred and thirty five thousand Euros (€235,000) on FC Sion.
- FC Sion is to pay three thousand Euros (€3,000) towards the costs of these proceedings.
Comment in respect of the award of a UEFA Licence in 2011 to Rangers FC.
It is now public knowledge that an actual liability of tax due before 31stDecember 2010 towards HMRC, was admitted by Rangers FC before 31st March 2011.
This liability was described as “potential” in Rangers Interim accounts audited by Grant Thornton.
“Note 1: The exceptional item reflects a provision for a potential tax liability in relation to a Discounted Option Scheme associated with player contributions between 1999 and 2003. A provision for interest of £0.9m has also been included within the interest charge.”
The English Oxford Dictionary definition of potential is:
Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.
Which was not true as the liability had already been “developed” so could not be potential.
This was repeated by Chairman Alistair Johnson in his covering Interim Accounts statement
“The exceptional item reflects a provision for a potential tax liability in relation to a Discounted Option Scheme associated with player contributions between 1999 and 2003. “ where he also added
“Discussions are continuing with HMRC to establish a resolution to the assessments raised.”
This could be taken as disputing the liability but In fact the resolution to the assessments raised would have been payment of the actual liability, something that never happened.
In the Sion case it was accepted the misleading statement was a one off misrepresentation, but at the monitoring stages at June 2011 in Ranger’s case the status of the liability continued to be misrepresented and in September the continuing discussions reason was repeated, along with a claim of an instalment paid whose veracity is highly questionable.
The Swiss FL Licensing Committee did at least refer the case to their Disciplinary Committee when they realised a misleading statement might have been made. The SFA however in August 2011, when Sherriff Officers called at Ibrox for payment of the overdue tax , did no such thing and pulled up the drawbridge for six years, one that the Compliance Officer is now finally charged with lowering.
The case of FC Irtysh of Kazakhstan is set out in full at http://tiny.cc/y9sxsy and is a bit more straightforward but is nevertheless useful to compare with events in 2011 in Scotland.
Unlike Rangers FC , FC Irtysh properly disclosed that they had an overdue payable to the Kazakhstan tax authorities at the monitoring point at 30th June 2017. This caused the CFCB Investigatory Unit to seek further information with regard to the position at 31st March
It transpired that Irtysh had declared an overdue payable at 31st March but cited their financial position (awaiting sponsor money) as a reason for non payment to the Kazakhstan FA who accepted it and granted the licence. The outstanding tax was paid in September 2107.
The outcome of the CFCB Investigation was a case put to the CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber who agreed with the CFCB Investigation Unit that a licence should not have been granted and recommended that Irtysh be fined the equivalent of the UEFA prize money, (that had been withheld in any case whilst CFCB investigated.)
The CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber however decided that a fine was not sufficient in sporting deterrent terms and ruled that:
- FC Irtysh failed to satisfy the requirements of Article 50bis(1) of the CL&FFP Regulations and it obtained the licence issued by the FFK not in accordance with the CL&FFP Regulations.
- To withhold four hundred and forty thousand Euros (€440,000) corresponding to the UEFA revenues FC Irtysh gained by participating in the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa League.
- To exclude FC Irtysh from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify in the next three (3) seasons (i.e. the 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons). This sanction is deferred for a probationary period of (3) three years. This exclusion must be enforced in case the Club participates again in a UEFA club competition having not fulfilled the licence criteria required to obtain the UEFA licence in accordance with the CL&FFP Regulations.
- FC Irtysh is to pay three thousand Euros (€3,000) towards the costs of these proceedings. “
The deferral was because unlike Rangers FC, FC Irtysh had properly disclosed to the licensor the correct & accurate financial information required, so the exclusion was deferred for a probationary period of (3) years.
Comment in respect of the award of a UEFA Licence in 2011 to Rangers FC.
From the foregoing it could be deduced that had Rangers FC qualified for the Champions League (or European League) and not gone bust as a result and so not entered liquidation BUT it became public knowledge by 2012 that a licence had been wrongly and possibly fraudulently granted then
- Rangers would have been fined the equivalent of their earnings from their participation in the UEFA competitions in 2011
- At least a two year ban from UEFA Competitions would have been imposed, but more likely three in view of repeated incorrect statements.
- The consequences of both would have been as damaging for Rangers survival as the real life consequences of losing to Malmo and Maribor in the qualifying rounds of the Champions and European Leagues.
Karma eh!
Interestingly in the UEFA COMPLIANCE AND INVESTIGATION ACTIVITY REPORT 2015 – 2017 , the CFCB investigatory chamber recommended that both the Kazakhstan FA and Swiss FA as licensors
“pay particular attention to the adequate disclosure of the outstanding amounts payable towards other football clubs, in respect of employees and towards social/tax authorities, which must be disclosed separately;
Would the same recommendation apply to the Scottish FA with regard to their performance in 2011 and will the SFA responses thereafter to shareholders in a member club be examined for compliance with best governance practice by the SFA Compliance Officer investigating the processing of the UEFA Licence in 2011?
This would be a welcome step in fully restoring trust in the SFA.
JIMBOJUNE 18, 2018 at 21:22
Many, many people on here will agree with your sentiment. It’s the mindless optimism, sense of entitlement and superiority surrounding their national football team that is the problem. They were no better than ordinary last night against a poor side. When it looked like they might draw the complaints started about the heat and the midges! Somehow those pesky Russians have managed to make it only hot for England players, and managed to get the midges only to attack them and no-one else! We’ve seen it all before and even though as you say there are many good, decent English people, please allow us a smile at the wailing and greeting of Alan Shearer, Martin Keown etc when they fall flat on their face, and I confidently predict they will.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16294700._Disgraceful____20m_cost_of_Rangers_oldco_liquidation_leaves_creditors_with___1_4m/
You have to give it to the journalist ahem,danced around The Rangers liquidation.
THEREDPILLJUNE 19, 2018 at 07:46
Leagal legal costs expert Jim Diamond said “They shoulda known better”
HOMUNCULUSJUNE 18, 2018 at 14:58
Well we have covered masonry – as pertaining to The Orange Lodge rather than the building skill – we’ve discussed the Scottish “establishment” and cosy links between banking and business and we have discussed Scotland’s establishment team’s anti-Catholic policies many times. I don’t see how this is different as it is relevant to how the game developed in Scotland, with its sectarian nuances.
I referred to the 1920s – when cartoons such as the famous Harpers Bazaar ones comparing “Anglo Teutonic”, “Irish Iberian” and “Negro” were considered fair commentary, that is why I think it is relevant. Rangers had their anti-Catholic policy in place “in modern Scotland” to such an extent it was considered fair game in a comedy sketch by our national broadcaster in the 1980s, making it IMO relevant to a football site.
Am happy to drop it, but let’s not pretend it didn’t happen.
Sweeping generalisation when you say English folk.
England is made up of Regions that vary greatly when it comes down to how they view things in life in general.
Having lived both North and South of the Country (England)for over 20 years I can assure you most don’t think or talk about their Fitba team as the media do.
What I will say is this though when it comes to their precious Premierhype most have taken that hook line and sinker when it comes to being deluded about the standard within it.
From my observations most teams don’t defend that well at all In it.
Decent folk who have a similar outlook to life as us Scots.
Unsurprising really given the fact you can drive from top to bottom in a day on this wee Island of ours.
“We want elite footballers at this club “
SG in an interview with STV. Who wouldn’t want such players at their own club?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
England’s downfall in this World Cup will lie in the fact, my opinion, that the nation does not have one true International class centre half.
If the two on show last night were the best at their disposal, then I rest my satchel.
JUSTTHEFACTSJUNE 19, 2018 at 08:58
As Daveboy will soon be heard to say :
Hi Ho Silver, AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZIqg0gBcYM
I note that Raman Bhardwaj of STV & Gavin Berry of the DR are both in Espana with TRFC.
Cue feelgood reporting; Berry in today’s DR on-line is particularly toe-curling.
I’m sure we’d like to know who’s paying for Berry & Bhardwaj’s jolly; is it TRFC? If so, shouldn’t their content be qualified by that-there product placement logo?
JUSTTHEFACTSJUNE 19, 2018 at 09:09
Agreed. Ended up in a train back into town with lots of English fans after the last Wembley games.
Usual ‘Scotland pub league’ pish slagging from the more arrogant ones but a great conversation with a couple of lads, one of who, IIRC, was a Charlton fan.
Far more realistic view of where English football was without the EPL foreign stars and discussing the likes who in the Scottish game could make a decent transition to Championship and lower EPL level etc. They were good lads and knew their football.
Anyway was out last night and listened to the end of the Tunisia game on the radio. The commentators were moaning like hell wondering were the 4 minutes extra time came from. They were very keen to get off and take the draw. Tune changed of course once Kane scored in injury time.
You may as well accept that the media hype over Gerrard at 2angers is only going to increase as the days and weeks pass by.
You can either read it or choose to ignore it the choice is yours.
It makes no difference to anything as the results will be all that matter good or bad?
Meanwhile the money continues to flow out the Ayebroke coffers regardless.
I sometimes wonder where folk have been all their lives as they look on dismay as the predators in the Legal World clean out the choice cuts from the carcass of Rangers leaving only the scraps for the rest to fight over?
This is the way Society is now and has been for a very long time (well since some turned their backs on Socialism).
Capitalism serves to maintain the lifestyle of the rich and “successful” caring not a single f for the rest.
We are expected to fight over what’s left like the subservient fools the we have become.
In my opinion the Creditors should be at the front of the que when the money is handed out and HMRC should have no special treatment in where they stand in that que either.
It is they after all that left these Trusts to be exploited in the first place.
The Legal people should get their cut at the end not the beginning.
Their costs should be scrutinised also.
The wee guy almost always loses in these situations.
C’est la vie.
If you don’t like it then change it by stop buying into it in the first place.
Celtic v FC Alashkert-2
Armenia. I admit I had to look it up on a map to see where in the world it was. No disrespect.
But 2,500 miles from Scotland!
I thought these early qualifiers were regionalised?
Well I will not be going unless I win the lottery.
Just how will Celtic get there? I don’t think Easyjet do flights to Armenia.
Despite the second half being woeful, genuinely pleased that Engerlund won last night.
I do like Kane, and impressed with the low-key Southgate.
Don’t think they’ll win the trophy but should be thereabouts, IMO.
And WRT StevieG’s first league game: away to Aberdeen.
Ooft!
Has TRFC lodged a complaint yet to the SPFL, that the computer used to generate the fixture list is a biased, ‘Rangers hater’?
” Scottish referee Bobby Madden forced to sell house as he battles bankruptcy over unpaid tax debts.The whistler, 39, faces the threat of going bust if he fails to reach an agreement after being taken to court by the taxman”
(The Sun)
Well Well Well. Taxes bleedin taxes. (Again)
If the worst comes to the worst he can always make a comeback as The Bobby Madden and he might even escape punishment on the basis that he was imperfectly registered but eligible to avoid paying tax until the future date when Hector noticed.
I see TRFC could face Progres again in the Europa league.
The first tie is to be played on, wait for it,
12th of July. The glorious twelfth. Could be a dilemma there for some fans.
In late 2011, FC Alashkert were re-founded by Bagrat Navoyan; a businessman native of Martuni.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16300543._Disgraceful____20m_cost_of_Rangers_oldco_liquidation_leaves_creditors_with___1_4m/?ref=twtrec
—————-
Leading legal costs expert Jim Diamond said: “It’s an absolute disgrace and an indication in my view and experience of the Scottish legal marketplace which is totally geared up for the professional people without the necessary controls and not to the benefit of the general public and in this case the creditors.”
The costs lawyer continued:”How can you look at this and have nobody complaining?
“Scotland needs to have the politicians have a look at what is going on.”
————
If only someone would look into it.Jim Diamond should have known better
I’m working in England just now, as I often do, and last night went out with some of the guys at work to have a curry and watch the match. I was so glad when the second goal went in because it would have been impossible for me to keep a straight face today, if it hadn’t.
Cluster OneJune 19, 2018 at 18:02
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16300543._Disgraceful____20m_cost_of_Rangers_oldco_liquidation_leaves_creditors_with___1_4m/?ref=twtrec
Been a bit of a week for the tax stories, Madden, RFC Tax Discs, old co tax fraud, etc. Bobby found a use for the out of date holder he keeps his cards in it..
Scottc, You might have let us know which type of curry! You know we are sticklers for detail on here.
I note the story in the Herald today about the ‘outrage’ over the liquidator’s fees for Rangers. Shouldn’t the Herald be more outraged that Rangers owed all that unpaid tax in the first place?
BIGBOAB1916JUNE 19, 2018 at 18:56
I’m blagging that ?
On this day in history june 19, 2012
Mr King said.
“What we do have to avoid is another situation where someone has come in and acquired rangers and is going to use the fans money.”
—————
Sometimes reading back over these old articles it does shine a light in some very dark places.
Here is the start of the article for anyone who want’s to read it from the start
BillydugJune 19, 2018 at 19:43
BIGBOAB1916JUNE 19, 2018 at 18:56 I’m blagging that
You can have it if you want it m8
upthehoopsJune 19, 2018 at 19:20
I note the story in the Herald today about the ‘outrage’ over the liquidator’s fees for Rangers. Shouldn’t the Herald be more outraged that Rangers owed all that unpaid tax in the first place?
You would think it was the liquidators fault they went liquidated because they were stealing all their cash.
The Rangers Observer
@RangersObserver
A deal for Jon Flanagan looks like a goer. Likely to be a permanent deal and providing much needed full back cover
10:05 pm · 19 Jun 2018
Listening to the Shipping Forecast. There are warnings of Gales in the Irish Sea (Honest!)
Blinking Brexit.
Apologies but it is very quiet tonight.
The only other news re. Scottish Football all centres around Stevie Gee. And I’m sick to the teeth reading and listening and watching all about him. He’s the only show in town.
To the site administrators could we get the RSS feed functionality back working or do I need to find a workaround?
Thanks.
JIMBOJUNE 20, 2018 at 00:52
———–
When the time comes when he is shown out of town,I will be listening and watching all about him
BIGBOAB1916JUNE 19, 2018 at 21:07
You would think it was the liquidators fault they went liquidated because they were stealing all their cash.
=========================
Whether the fees are exorbitant I will leave for others with more knowledge of these things to judge. However, I do know that if Rangers (I.L) had played fair financially within the framework of the law there would be no need for the Herald to run such stories, because Rangers would still exist.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16301067.Ibrox_chief_in_new_court_proceedings_over_failure_to_make___11m_Rangers_shares_bid/?ref=mrb&lp=1
…………
A small article has just appeared in The Herald about court proceedings underway (last Thursday) concerning Mr Kings failure to make the share offer as mandated by the TOP.
It is currently the top story on The Herald website.
The BBC obviously don’t think it is newsworthy enough to broadcast on BBC Shortbread.
The Herald is also carrying the story that the Walter Smith case is not continuing. Out of court settlement? Or perhaps he has finally realised the irony of his claim and has decided to withdraw, in the interests of dignity and staunchness.
Living in England these past 30 years, I’ve seen it all…
I was told to f’ off back to Scotland at the time of the IndyRef by a 60-year old middle class woman, Scots fans getting bottles and glasses thrown at them in Trafalgar Square and being called a f’ng Scotch c’ 5 inches from my face at The Euros in 96, to being told how we used to be ok (when we were qualifying and they weren’t!) but how sh’t Scottish football is now on a daily basis, to the regular questions about who am I going to support because Scotland never qualify (fair point), wanting me to say ABE – my trump for that is I am half German and married to a Brazilian so I’m covered for World Cup wins haha.
And as for the gushing coverage of “our boys” Jesuswept…
I don’t want England to do badly, I’d echo the comment earlier that Southgate is a decent manager and a good person, as are 99% of the English but I sure as hell don’t want them to win this thing…
Fr. Paul Stone on Twitter pointing out an inconvenient truth re Jon Flanagan amid the reports of him being snapped up by Stevie G. Also listened to Mr McCoist during the Senegal game reminding everyone what a great acquisition El Hadj Djouf was for t’Rangers and how the negative publicity Djouf attracted caused the club (sic) to rally round him.
EX LUDO
He also says ” I remember he was a good player. He’ll be a decent signing for them. I also think he deserves a 2nd chance. Who knows what the circumstances were?. Plus who hasn’t made a mistake. One mistake shouldn’t mean a life ruined.
More than a few players have played in Scottish football with off the field problems so to speak.
Morning gents, I’ve enjoyed a pleasant couple of weeks in the Caribbean sunshine so have been somewhat detached from the Scottish football soap opera. From what I can gather though it all seems unusually quiet…no doubt the calm before the next storm!
I have been fortunate enough to see quite a bit of the World Cup and at risk of sounding like a VAR bore I’m afraid I have to have the obligatory rant. I am actually a bit of a tech geek and innovation is a big part of my working life so I’m really not a dinosaur who hates change but I genuinely think this technology is spoiling games.
We’ve had a penalty in almost every match, most of them soft but “technically a foul”, the thing I dislike about this is that a penalty decision used to be one of the moments of drama in a match. That pause, has he given it or not followed by the roar or the boos from the crowd. That moment of instantaneous drama has been replaced by an awkward and often confusing process. Not only this but the bar for “what is a foul” has been significantly reduced as slow motion makes everything look worse than it did in real time. Inevitably this will lead to defenders changing the way they play, being less aggressive and ultra cautious. As a one time terrible defender myself I find that a bit sad and fear it will make games more sterile in a way.
I’m all for technology that enhances our game but I think we all agree that this sport was great to start with, with that in mind I’m not sure we should fundamentally change it in this way.
FinlochJune 20, 2018 at 08:23
‘A small article has just appeared in The Herald about court proceedings underway (last Thursday) concerning Mr Kings failure to make the share offer as mandated by the TOP.It is currently the top story on The Herald website.’
_________________
I wonder what the hell is going on,Finloch.
That was down in the Rolls as an ‘unstarred’ motion, meaning that Counsel would not need to be present.
On other such ‘unstarred’ business , as I know to my cost in terms of time, the matter has been dealt with behind closed doors.
I would have attended yesterday, but decided not to because I knew that the court room would be closed!
(I assume that whatever Lord Doherty may have decided is not reported in the ‘Herald’?)
I have sent an email to the Clerk of court asking where I might find out how the TOP’s petition was dealt with, if it is indeed a matter that can properly be made public.
Mistakes are made in all walks of life SJ however the picture that is being painted re Jon Flanagan is that he is still a Liverpool player rather than the free agent that he is and it is the attraction of Stevie G that is prising him away from Liverpool.
“All over the park you need leadership and you need leadership off the park.”
SG in the Herald.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Last one.
EX LUDO
JUNE 20, 2018 at 09:25
…
Also listened to Mr McCoist during the Senegal game reminding everyone what a great acquisition El Hadj Djouf was for t’Rangers…
================
Back in Sunny Scotland
and watching as many WC games as I can.
Got a nasty surprise watching STV coverage with McCoist commentating. His wee sleekit coupon appears in my head whenever he talks mince.
Absolutely!
No shame from the dog whistler – and poor decision from STV, (ITV).
Games on mute.
From the BBC:
Rangers* have been drawn against FK Shkupi of Macedonia in the Europa League first qualifying round.
Hibernian have been drawn against NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands.
The ties will be played on 12 and 19 July, with both Scottish teams at home for the first leg.
No news of The Dons, yet …
How many times does Dave King have to be taken to court before the SFA consider his fit and proper status? As for the media, there is surely a story worth pursuing!
Dunderheid, as AFC finished second, they join at the second qualifying round.
Upthe Hoops, – you must remember that Mr King isn’t on a football club/company board, so the SFA can do sfa about anything he does or doesn’t do. That seemingly includes what he does as an apparent shadow director ( i.e. controlling hand / mind) of TRFC when he makes announcements about that football entity, or hires & fires managers / players.
He’s only the chairman / shareholder / illegal concert party player in the company that owns TRFC.
He’s not as daft as some may make out.
We all await what the court might decide about his non compliance with court orders, – that doesn’t obviously affect TRFC directly, although their fans & some media folk see Mr King’s inability to stick to rules as a win for the football club.
EX LUDO 10.47
No idea how his current situation is being described by the media. Have just done a quick online check with the two top selling Scottish tabloids and both are referring to him as “ex” or “former” Liverpool defender. There is no denying however that SG will attract players to the club
NICK
JUNE 20, 2018 at 10:27
I see things slightly differently from you Nick, in that the proper use of VAR should result in the demise of the customary rugby scrum we regularly witness in the penalty box following a corner or other set play.
At present, the defending team constantly gets away with shirt pulling, wrapping their arms around the attacking player and even pulling or pushing the attacker to the ground, as happened to Harry Kane on Monday night.
The use of VAR provides the perfect opportunity to eradicate overly physical challenges in the box, and, unlike you, I’d be perfectly happy if it takes five, six, even ten penalties per game to make defenders realise they have to modify their game in future or face the consequences.
To me, football is a game of skill, where the more goals scored generally equates to a better game, although there are of course exceptions. I appreciate football is a contact sport and I’m not advocating the kind of over-protection that goalkeepers currently get, but FIFA has the perfect opportunity to change some of the ills of the game in one fell swoop if only they have the balls to do it.
That said, FIFA is merely a set of football administrators whose primary aim, just like the SFA, isn’t so much the betterment of the game as the betterment of its own financial situation so I don’t expect it to do anything like I’ve proposed anytime soon. This is an organisation which did previously successfully eradicate kicking the ball away after the referee’s whistle but I see that annoying habit is creeping back in during the current World Cup. What was the point of the campaign to get rid of it if they’re just going to turn a blind eye to it now? Was it just another fad?
And don’t get me started about players feigning injury and simulation in general!! What a bunch of wimps, writhing around as if mortally wounded when all they’ve suffered is a dislocated boot lace. Players who roll over more than two revolutions should be put out of their misery by being taken out and shot. I’m no medical expert but I can say with some confidence that if you’ve just been tackled and hurt your thigh/knee/calf/shin/ankle/foot, the last thing you want to do is rapid revolutions across the turf like a Hotpoint on spin cycle.
Otherwise, I’m thoroughly enjoying the World Cup. I’m not particularly bothered about who wins it, although it would be nice to see a new name on the winner’s list, which conveniently excludes England.
Tough on Aberdeen?.
Drawn against Burnley in EL 2nd round Qualifiers.
For me some “mistakes” should mean a life ruined the disgusting habit of spitting on people or a sustained attack on a women are not mistakes they are the trait of an animal not a man and they should be treated as such and it matters not the circumstances.
EX LUDOJUNE 20, 2018 at 10:47
From The Liverpool Echo Echo “Jon Flanagan has avoided instant dismissal from Liverpool FC because the club believes it has a responsibility to help his rehabilitation after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend.
The 25-year-old defender was given a 12 month community order at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after admitting the attack on his partner of 18 months, Rachael Wall, after a drunken row.”
He apparently declined to go on the players’ trip to Dubai because he (or his advisers) thought it inappropriate to be seen to be enjoying himself given the nature of his offence and the subsequent judgement. Well that was refreshingly sensible… Fair play for that… Not the other stuff obvs.
Jon Flanagan undergoing medical today.
I believe he deserves a second chance, just wish it wasn’t at Rangers tbh.
SHUGJUNE 20, 2018 at 14:28
For me some “mistakes” should mean a life ruined the disgusting habit of spitting on people or a sustained attack on a women are not mistakes they are the trait of an animal not a man and they should be treated as such and it matters not the circumstances.
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Completely agree. No 2nd chances for me. Shouldn’t be anywhere near us or football again.
Really disappointed in this signing.
torrejohnbhoyJune 20, 2018 at 14:06
Tough on Aberdeen?. Drawn against Burnley in EL 2nd round Qualifiers.
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I think the consensus will be “nae a guid draaaw ata min!”
SHUGJUNE 20, 2018 at 14:28
Maybe Stevie G is trying to do what SuperAlly admitted to the other night – foster team spirit by using the abuse from opposition fans to rally the players around their man . Siege mentality again .
upthehoopsJune 20, 2018 at 12:43
How many times does Dave King have to be taken to court before the SFA consider his fit and proper status? As for the media, there is surely a story worth pursuing!
You really think the media are going to report on honest Dave and stop the funding, theres only one guy in everyone of the medias pockets right now..
UTH do you see who they are selling to and who is buying this shit, know your audience and ignore the story follow the money from your paymasters.
slimjimJune 20, 2018 at 13:09the two top selling Scottish tabloids and both are referring to him as “ex” or “former” Liverpool defender.
FK Shkupi
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Despite the FFM not recognising Shkupi’s track records and honours as Sloga, Sloga’s official support firm, previous players and management, recognize Shkupi as its successor.
PADDYMALARKEY 16.16
Maybe he is just signing a player he is familiar with. A player who he believes he can get the best out of. Maybe he just sees a young player looking to re-establish himself as a first team regular and rebuild his career in the process.
PADDY MALARKEYJUNE 20, 2018 at 16:16
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SHUGJUNE 20, 2018 at 14:28Maybe Stevie G is trying to do what SuperAlly admitted to the other night – foster team spirit by using the abuse from opposition fans to rally the players around their man . Siege mentality again .
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Charles Green knew his audiance
June 13,2012
When McCoist started pontificating about the need for lifetime bans for those who had “manipulated the results of games” I realised that I was watching an episode of The Twilight Zone.
Is it reasonable to think King is hoping the Takeover Panel get things to a point he will say he is no longer able to carry on at Ibrox then use Rangers PR to paint the T.O.P as the bad guys?
UPTHEHOOPSJUNE 20, 2018 at 18:39
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Is it reasonable to think King is hoping the Takeover Panel get things to a point he will say he is no longer able to carry on at Ibrox then use Rangers PR to paint the T.O.P as the bad guys?
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Following on from above.
The Rangers chief who says he has the funds in South Africa rather than the UK has since accused the Takeover Panel of “bullying” while confirming the club hoped to raise £6 million of fresh capital from a share issue “before June”.
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Dave king knows his audiance also.
The SFA closed a loophole in May that had allowed Romanov to air his outspoken views with impunity because he has no official post at Tynecastle.
The resolution means every person holding authority at a club or control over the board falls under the SFA’s jurisdiction.
Billydug June 20, 2018 at 19:01
The SFA closed a loophole in May that had allowed Romanov to air his outspoken views with impunity because he has no official post at Tynecastle. The resolution means every person holding authority at a club or control over the board falls under the SFA’s jurisdiction.
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It was the SPL who changed their definition of a “club” in 2005 that caught Romanov as the “owner”.
However, the SFA didn’t change their equivalent definition in the Articles of Association until 2013, so the SFA’s acceptance of a club being an entity separate from its owner/company in the 5WA was most likely “ultra vires” in 2012.
Motion passed at the SFA’s AGM on 11 June 2013
Dave King could do with one almighty boot in the haw maws.
Thats not strictly a legal term based on my knowledge of the legal system but purely a thought from a bhoy who grew up on a Scheme in the 70s and 80’s.
He’s running rings round these clowns and needs taking down a peg or two.
EASYJAMBOJUNE 20, 2018 at 19:34
Text from this bbc article see screenshot.
SLIMJIMJUNE 20, 2018 at 17:28
Indeed, mibbes SG sees something in the boy , but where and when was he a first team regular ?
He has had a total of 40 league appearances over a period of 7 years , and a total number of 70 in the same period . In his best season , he had 23 league appearances (2013-14) , leaving 17 in the other 6 years .
JustTheFactsJune 20, 2018 at 19:40
Dave King could do with one almighty boot in the haw maws.Thats not strictly a legal term based on my knowledge of the legal system but purely a thought from a bhoy who grew up on a Scheme in the 70s and 80’s.
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OMG I was pissing myself at that pal.
Obviously I was referring to that good old saying “the haw maws”!!!!
PADDYMALARKEY
He was regarded as a first team regular at Liverpool from November onwards (23/29) during the 2013/14 season with only a knee injury preventing him from playing more games.