Two wrongs and a right

The John James blog has of late thrown up many hooks to hang our theories on and provided much food for thought on the Rangers issue.

His casual invective against individuals, particularly Dave King, and often members of the Bench is not particularly SFM-like in its approach, but despite the industrial nature of much of the discourse, the value of his work cannot be denied.

On the subject of revisiting LNS, I find myself in agreement with his conclusions. His argument about Celtic’s attitude to Resolution 12 is to my mind compelling insofar as it serves as a barometer for Celtic’s disposition towards rocking the SPL/SFA boat. Like him, I cannot see any real evidence, (despite the recent statement by the club) that they are disposed to move in the direction of a revisited LNS (although it should be noted that besides Celtic there are another 40 clubs who may have an opinion on this).

His conclusions though should not be confused with his opinion on the rights and wrongs of LNS. Like most of us, he appears to be of the opinion that LNS was seriously flawed on multiple counts.

I saw Bill McMurdo’s remarks too in reference to the same topic. He alleges that the whole SFA house of cards would come down if information he has at his fingertips, information that off-book payments in Scottish football was much more widespread that the RFC EBTs, was made public.

UnderTableIf what he says is true, and he has evidence, he should be expanding on the innuendo.

If he chooses not to, then he is as complicit as those he accuses.

In any event, to say that no action should be taken because others have done it is not the same as saying that no action WILL be taken.

If he means the former, then he is wrong. By the logic of that argument it follows that burglars for example should not be prosecuted because other people burgle houses but didn’t get caught.

I suspect he knows himself that by any objective standard, this view is in error, because when he is called out on it, he reverts to ad hominem attacks on those who called him on it. No defence, just withering, dismissive sarcasm – in the manner of former pundit Jim Traynor when he refers to those who speak of sporting integrity.

If he means the latter, then he should do what he can do prevent it and make his information public. I believe he knows that the £3 note fraternity runs through Scottish football like lettering on a stick of seaside rock, but I suspect he doesn’t actually have evidence.

If there is evidence, then McMurdo is in a unique position to get it out in the open and make life difficult for those he alleges are corrupt.

Then we should go back in time as far as possible to investigate those who participated in “black money” schemes, whether they are EBTs, other forms of tax dodge, or just money in a brown paper bag.

I do not believe that any of us participating in the Scottish Football Monitor would fear exposure of any of our clubs. I think we all know that this is far more important than club loyalties.

If McMurdo’s information is correct, then we also have the opportunity to show that the clamour for revisiting LNS is not an anti-Rangers with-hunt. Instead of reconvening LNS, let’s have Bill’s info, and constitute a wider enquiry. If the info was made public, and it will now be difficult for him to put his genie back into the bottle, could the SFA and the clubs resist the pressure for such an enquiry?

handsMaybe McMurdo’s intervention/revelation may yet be seen as a seminal moment in the campaign to rid ourselves of corruption and incompetence in football.

Our position has always been clear. Corruption is counter to sporting integrity. Therefore it must be rooted out.

John James and Merlin are probably correct in that the clubs will seek to thwart any move for a new enquiry; and there could easily have been a deal done with King last week.

However there was also a deal done with Charles Green about the new club being parachuted into the SPL. How did that one turn out?

This entry was posted in General by Big Pink. Bookmark the permalink.
John Cole

About Big Pink

Big Pink is John Cole; a former schoolteacher based in the West of Scotland, He is also a print and broadcast journalist who is engaged in the running of SFM . Former gigs include Newstalk 106, the Celtic View, and Channel67. A Celtic fan, he is also the voice of our podcast initiative.

1,703 thoughts on “Two wrongs and a right


  1. goosygoosy 11th January 2016 at 1:14 pm #Scottish Cup Draw 5th roundRangers v East Kilbride or Lothian City Hutchison Vale
    ….remaining ties will be drawn live on Sky Sports tonight.
    …………………………………..

    I enjoyed this.   Agreed, even….
    I Posted it elsewhere…
    …and now I realise that, for us diddy teams, the warm balls for the draw still apply as they always did…

    Ps
    No axe to grind.
    Mah team’s oot the cup. 🙁


  2. fishnish 11th January 2016 at 10:24 pm #

    goosygoosy 11th January 2016 at 1:14 pm #Scottish Cup Draw 5th round
    Rangers  v  East Kilbride or Lothian City Hutchison Vale
    ….remaining ties will be drawn live on Sky Sports tonight
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Oops
    Think my wee joke backfired somewhat
    …….Or maybe the Hampden ball warmer just got confused


  3. Thumbdownsers.

    Hello.  There are times i’m amazed at why you thumb down.  Totally  innocent posts which contain nothing which would give no hurt to any team.   I usually laugh at the thumb down, thinking this must be a lurker who has a grudge against the site.  My last post got 6 thumbs down but it probably deserved it, I can understand that.

    I lurked on RTC and this site for a long while before I posted, because their are so many posters who are so much more knowledgeable than me.   But then I thought my opinion counts.  I’m a football fan.  For all the weighty aims of this site, which I support, we are a football forum.

    So, thumbs downers,  join in the conversation please.  I guess you are Rangers fans.  I for one would welcome you.  Join in. Please.


  4. Smartie, I think you need to go back and ask him directly if Ms Sturgeon cares about this happening in her constituency and, if so, does she intend to do anything about it.


  5. I despair!  2 thumb downs already.   But I think it is fellow Celtic supporters  noising me up. 

    Ok I now expect the most thumbs down in the history of this wee site.  2107080904212007 Ya shower of shites.  I was making a good point! 07


  6. Chancery division
    Court 31 tomorrow 10:30
    Before our very own Mr Justice Peter Smith,
    Interim hearings list.
    SDI v RIFC

    It’s not over till its over folks.


  7. neebs67 11th January 2016 at 9:48 pm #Prohibby @ 5.09 PM, having been struck by a pyro at Hampden in 2012 in my opinion this behaviour goes way beyond “daft and irresponsible “. The sooner these idiots realise the danger of what they are doing the better.
    ……………
    I wouldn’t wish to argue with you on the matter.  I think the behaviour I observed was irresponsible, perhaps criminal, even dangerous but I didn’t see evidence of intent to harm or offend spectators attending the game or t.v. viewers.  I understand CFC have taken reasonable and decisive actions in regards to ‘the idiots’. How will that compare to the way in which the perpetrators of the offensive, harmful and malicious behaviour at ER have and will be dealt with by their club? And how will each club be dealt with by the authorities, I have to wonder!


  8. john james on the court tomorrow 
    Wifi Woesby sitonfenceOur ever vigilant press corps have failed us yet again. At Glasgow Sheriff Court tomorrow  the following listing pertains to Rangers:
    802 Works Limited v The Rangers Football Club Ltd
    The plaintiff, 802 Works, specialize in ‘Event’ wifi which was formerly a feature of Ibrox prior to the arrival CC King and co. When challenged why the wifi was not functioning, we were told that it was malfunctioning. This. as we have come to expect from this board, was a lie.
    It is evident that someone has decided not to pay their bills due to the cash crisis at Ibrox. On January 1st they announced to the world that they had raised £6.5m,yet they cannot pay their wifi provider.
    If we believe the PR puff of Je Suis Graham ( #PeaceBeUponHim) we might conclude that we have never had it so good. Those hoping to post a ‘selfie’ of a proud moment at Ibrox, to some far flung corner of the world, might beg to differ.


  9. JC
    Shirley to god that court’s not still publicly advising court cases sincecancelled well into the new court calendar?
    What’s the grumpy officials number?


  10. smartie1947 11th January 2016 at 10:08 pm #
    On 31/12/15, I sent an e-mail to Nicola Sturgeon complaining about the sectarian singing at the Rangers v Hibs match at Ibrox on 28/12/15. Attached is a copy of the response I received today
     
    “Your email is correct in stating the vast majority of supporters attending football matches in Scotland do not engage in this type of behaviour. In our most recent annual analysis of charges reported under this Act, covering season 2014-15, 193 charges were reported by the police to the Procurator Fiscal. This figure represents a fall of 28% from the 267 charges reported during the first year of the Act’s operation in 2012-13. This small number of charges show the vast majority of football supporters are well-behaved and simply wish to support their team
    …………………..
    Typical brush off
    If the police observe 40k fans committing an offence and do nothing about it then on that definition no offence took place
    And
    Everybody knows that the frequency of  offensive singing has increased significantly at least since 2012
    So
    What this is really saying is that an offence isn’t an offence until the police charge somebody and their charge is laid before the PF
    And it implies that
    If an offence gets committed en masse the Police have been instructed by the Scottish Government not to enforce the law
    ………………………
    The only thing Politicians care about is getting elected
    If nothing is done about this issue before the May election I will be voting against my current MSP
    Hope you`re taking note Nicola
    At least 50% of your supporters hate this behaviour


  11. I see from https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk › court-roll that there was scheduled to be a pre-hearing in the 802  Works case against TRFC today (Monday 11th).  Strangely, it seemed to pass by the SMSM’s attention. Presumably if there is a full hearing tomorrow then the judge thinks there is a case to answer.
    If SDI are up against RIFC in London at the same time, it could be an interesting day.


  12. JD seems to think London a preamble for the 18th. Nonetheless not what I’d be looking to fund right after Xmas.
    Kerching go the tills at legal lane.


  13. Hopefully this is not entitrelly off topic, but this happened to me after a SC Cup game against Stranraer.  You know that carton of orange juce the co-op sells with ‘bits’ ?  you need to shake thar=t..   I nearly chocked drinkinibg the dregs of that.

    Then was soething else that happenened.  But I’ve forgot.  Back to you in a bit.


  14. Spot the difference.

    Celtic Match:
    On Monday, the Scottish FA and Police Scotland started investigations into alleged sectarian singing and the use of pyrotechnics by Celtic supporters at their Scottish Cup match with Stranraer.
    SFA and Police investigation starts the very next day.

    TRFC Match:
    Last week, the Scottish Professional Football League said it would discuss a delegate’s report of offensive chanting by Rangers supporters at their Championship game with Hibernian at the end of December.
    One week to receive the delegates match report, let it lie for a few more days, then decide to ‘discuss’ the issue.
    No investigation and no input from the SFA.

    Also a BBC reporter who was asked to comment on sectarian singing at Ibrox v Hibs decided best not to comment but was not slow in commenting on alleged sectarian singing at a game he was not in attendance. Strange. Fear.
    Herein lays the problem for Scottish Football. A fear of all things from the Govan Club.


  15. smartie1947 11th January 2016 at 10:08 pm 
    Prohibby 11th January 2016 at 11:24 pm
    goosygoosy 12th January 2016 at 12:11 am #
    Carfins Finest 12th January 2016 at 8:10 am
    =================================
    I see Stewart Regan is re-visiting the strict liability proposal that the clubs voted against previously. My view is that the football authorities need to give themselves the right to address issues which are damaging to the game. Most fans would welcome it – there is never any real objection directed at UEFA when sanctions are applied to clubs in Scotland e.g. for fans going on the pitch. I can think back to incidents at Celtic Park (Barcelona) and Tannadice (Dinamo Moscow) when clubs and fans both tended to criticise those who transgressed. Having the potential of a points deduction penalty being applied after a couple of incidents may just help the majority of fans pressurise those inclined to chuck smoke bombs or sing songs that they know are banned, to stop.
    Which clubs would be willing to vote in favour of such an approach? Which wouldn’t?
       


  16. I am trying to fathom why Celtic fans would behave in the manner that they did at Stair Park yesterday. I am beginning to think that they thought that they could act with impunity due to the complete inaction of the SFA after the full songbook was belted out at Ibrox the previous week. I also think that secretly the SFA, SPFL and the media will all be doing high fives after the Celtic fans display as it confirms that their old firm is alive and kicking. I also include Lawell and his board in this cabal.
    If we had a fit for purpose SFA that acted decisively as it should instead of the usual dithering and procrastination then Scottish Football would probably never have been in the situations it continuously falls into. But the Celtic fans have given them exactly what they wanted, and we’re back into the good old duopoly again.
    If there ever was confirmation that a certain section of Rangers & Celtic fans enjoy the conflict – then this was it.
    The media, SFA & SPL will love them for it


  17. New story with familiar ring to it from the D.R.:
    Rangers hope to seal double signing despite being told players are not for sale06:00, 12 JAN 2016 UPDATED 06:13, 12 JAN 2016BY KEITH JACKSON
    MARK WARBURTON believes Toumani Diagouraga and Michael O’Halloran will help his side seal promotion to the Premiership but Brentford and St Johnstone aren’t willing to sell.
    RANGERS remain hopeful of landing top January targets Toumani Diagouraga and Michael O’Halloran despite being told neither player will be sold during the transfer window.
    Record Sport revealed last week how Ibrox boss Mark Warburton had launched a raid on his former club Brentford for French midfielder Diagouraga and hoped to have the player in Glasgow to sign at the weekend.
    But the deal stalled on Friday when Brentford booted out a third Rangers bid and yesterday the 28-year-old reacted by slapping in a transfer demand which was immediately rejected by his club.
    Last night discussions were reaching an impasse behind the scenes in London with Diagouraga’s camp adamant that their man has his heart set on a move across the border.
    And while Warburton was waiting for news of a breakthrough in those discussions, St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was battling to keep talisman O’Halloran at McDiarmid Park.
    Rangers were linked with a possible move for O’Halloran after Warburton’s chief scour, Frank McParland watched the attacker in Scottish Cup action against Kilmarnock at the weekend.
    Read More: Rangers target Diagouraga tells Brentford he wants to hook up with Mark Warburton againRecord Sport believes Rangers have now made a move to land the 24-year-old and Warburton hopes to get the deal wrapped up quickly in order that the player can bolster his promotion push.
    In fact, the Rangers manager believes by capturing both O’Halloran and Diagouraga, he will have set his side perfectly set up to win this season’s Championship title race.
    But now it’s up to Dave King’s regime to deliver the goods and last night Saints boss Wright was equally adamant that O’Halloran will be going no-where during the winter sales.
    Wright said: “We have been pretty consistent on this: Mikey is not for sale. He’s told us he wants to stay and we want to keep him here, that’s the bottom line.
    “You’d have to ask Rangers if that’s who they were here to see because nobody has been in touch with us. Mikey still has a lot to play for here and there’s nothing been put in front of us to change that.
    “He’s having to deal with speculation and it could be unsettling for him.
    “We took him off on Saturday because the pitch didn’t help him with the way he plays.”
    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/rangers-hope-seal-double-signing-7161344
    ……………
    The story doesn’t look accurate to me – it doesn’t contain either code word “dignity” or “respect” included in the text! 21


  18. Carfins Finest 12th January 2016 at 8:10 am
     
    As we know, cup games come under the SFA’s juristicion and therefore they should promptly and properly deal with any such unacceptable behaviour. 
    At the start of its Sportscene programme on Sunday evening the BBC presenter referred to sectarian singing at Stranraer without qualifying it with the word “alleged”.  I note that this bold statement has been repeated right up to Radio Scotland’s sports slot this morning.  The SMSM have also been filling their columns with similar criticism these last two days.
    Now for some whataboutery.  A couple of seasons ago Sevco travelled to Berwick on Tweed to play a cup tie.  As a result of the away support songbook, the Northumbria Police match commander reported the matter to the SFA.  Strangely, there was no mention of this incident in the Scottish media and I only learned about it from the local newspaper in Berwick.  I do not know if that police report is still sitting in the SFA compliance officer’s in-tray.

    Yesterday Regan was proposing new rules to combat unacceptable behaviour at football matches.  I wonder why he was so concerned about implementing such measures when his organisation cannot or will not implement the current rules for major breaches of the game.    


  19. blu 12th January 2016 at 9:24 am

    Totally agree.

    Given that it is always going to be difficult to huckle a whole section of fans singing songs that have nothing whatsoever to do with the playing of Scottish Football in the 21st Century then points deductions is the only way forward.

    Forget the Scottish Government, the game itself can identify the songs that are deemed to be off limits within grounds and apply an ever increasing points deduction for each offense, following a proper review of incidents and clear identification of the culprits.

    Darren O’Dea was on Sportsound rightly saying that there is a difficulty in defining what is offensive in that the Billy Boys was like water of a ducks back to him but he had heard more disgusting and nasty personal abuse from individual shouts in the various countries he has played in.

    However, while wholly unacceptable,  these types of incidents O’Dea refers to are not the ones getting picked up by the broadcasters microphones and beamed out to the watching world. It is our country’s shame.

    We know that the all clubs have an element that could pose problems but the biggest issue at present is these idiots following Celtic and T’Rangers, who, as has been said before, know nowt is going to happen to them.

    Both clubs have said they are doing what they can but if that were the case when the singing starts the CEO’s and chairmen could easily instruct their team to leave the park, refuse to play, thus having the game awarded to the opponents. 

    Frankly the issue needs to be taken out of their hands and we have nothing to lose by introducing points deductions. If other clubs stupid fans get their teams caught up in the nonsense then hell mend them.

    My only alternative to points deductions would be to start off with playing the next home game behind closed doors. 

    However my guess is no one has the balls to do anything and we will be talking about this same issue in five years time. 05

     


  20. I see a few raised eyebrows over on Rangers Media because the wi-fi company is based in Coatbridge, you couldn’t make it up.
    Talking of making things up, I await Phil’s next input with interest.


  21. Ibrox club statement on inappropriate singing (note not sectarian songs) 
    A statement, published on the club website, reads: “Rangers believes it is appropriate at this time to remind everyone of the club’s position on anti-social behaviour within football grounds.
    “The club operates a zero tolerance policy and continues to work tirelessly via the Follow with Pride campaign while supporting all initiatives aimed at tackling this problem.  The football authorities and Police Scotland know the club is committed to eradicating all forms of unacceptable behaviour and it is disappointing that a minority engaged in inappropriate singing during the match against Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium on Monday, December 28.

    The Ibrox club says it is doing all it can to prevent these songs, really?  Well during the Hibs game these songs were sung a few times and so why was there not an announcement made during the game over the sound/tannoy  system (not wifi I may add) to remind the fans of the offensive nature of the singing? If this was carried out I would have a bit more faith in the Ibrox club and it’s attitude towards this problem.


  22. Still only one – very insistent – source about the loan repayment. I made strenuous efforts yesterday to make it stand up, but no luck so far.

    I have telephoned SD’s PR company for further information, but the team are all ‘in a meeting’. I was advised to email them a request for info. I sent them this;

    The SFM is attempting to clarify the issue surrounding the SD loan to Glasgow Rangers.

    Rangers tell us that they have repaid the loan and that the charge on the assets (IP, Albion Car Park and Edmiston House) has been released. We remain sceptical in the absence of any verification.

    Can Sports direct confirm that this is the case – or if not tell us what the current situation with regard to the loan is?

    For example, there have been rumours, started we think by TRFC, that the repayment of the loan was contingent on Mr Ashley abandoning all legal action against Rangers and the SFA/SPFL. Would you care to comment on that?

    Regards


  23. James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 7 mins7 minutes agoThe total 810 works are asking to be ringfenced is £300, 000

    Which just happens to be the same amount Phil Mac mentioned in dispatches from Dec 2014.


  24. Interesting that Sevco have rejected our loan offer for Cammy Bell.  Apparently they don’t want a fee, they just want all of his wages off the books. 


  25. Big Pink 12th January 2016 at 10:54 am

    Excellent initiative, BP, I wonder how many members of the SMSM have done something similar! At a guess I’d say none, but then, there is an award winning journalist in their midst, so I expect he’ll be publishing the results of his enquiries later today. Or will he be waiting to see if things turn out well for TRFC before writing anything? ‘Anything’ being what he is handed by level5 to publish verbatim!


  26. Wottpi, you make obsevations and suggestions that are worth consideration by clubs and the authorities.  I would add one further suggestion for clubs to consider.  When large scale offensive behaviour breaks out among one or more sections of the crowd, the team captains could take the initiative to instruct the ball be put out of play and players, on both sides, should be called on to turn and face down the offenders until the offending behaviour stops.   I suspect the miscreants would soon get the message without teams having to leave the field. 


  27. valentinesclown 12th January 2016 at 10:46 am

    To follow on from my last point the announcement should be as follows:

    “Please stop the inappropriate singing at once or the wearer of the Magic Hat will be instructed by the board to immediately remove the team from the field of play thus awarding the game to our opponents. Your choice. Welcome to the 21st Century.  You have been warned.”

    It really would sort it within a matter of weeks. If those who can’t go without the community singing don’t turn up then what loss are they to the game? None whatsoever IMHO.


  28. January 2016 at 10:54 am #Still only one – very insistent – source about the loan repayment. I made strenuous efforts yesterday to make it stand up, but no luck so far.
    I have telephoned SD’s PR company for further information, but the team are all ‘in a meeting’. I was advised to email them a request for info. I sent them this;
    The SFM is attempting to clarify the issue surrounding the SD loan to Glasgow Rangers.
    Rangers tell us that they have repaid the loan and that the charge on the assets (IP, Albion Car Park and Edmiston House) has been released. We remain sceptical in the absence of any verification.
    Can Sports direct confirm that this is the case – or if not tell us what the current situation with regard to the loan is?
    For example, there have been rumours, started we think by TRFC, that the repayment of the loan was contingent on Mr Ashley abandoning all legal action against Rangers and the SFA/SPFL. Would you care to comment on that?
    Regards
    9 0 Rate ThisView Comment

    *****
    Companies House still has it at Ashley 7 – Sevco 0.


  29. Sports Direct doing some ducking and diving.

    Thank you for contacting Sports Direct via KBA

    Due to the high volume of correspondence that we receive each day we are unable to respond directly to each request.

    If you do not receive a personal response within 48 hours we have been unable to help you at this time but thank you for contacting us.

    I don’t know how any organisation would tolerate a PR wing who didn’t respond to messages – unless they were reluctant to provide info.


  30. JD
    Again RIFC council states in a court loan repayment to SD made. I do hope for his sake this is true. Company’s House disagrees.
    Also RCOJ case was case management only.


  31. 802 looking to ring fence a measly £300k. Buttons to folk who raise £5m in an hour and gift it to SD time after time after time.


  32. Darren Odea might regard the Billy Boy’s as water off a duck’s back.  However it is not aimed at him but at members of the Irish diaspora which were the subject of not only that kind of thuggery but other overt and covert racism over generations as they lived in Scotland. There is no place for it here and now.
    There was a proposal made in the late 1960s that when these songs were sung a loud klaxon would be deployed to drown them out. I cannot remember if it was tried then but it might be now of clubs responding instantly to that kind of thing or it might be under control of the polis There are songs which are so egregiously offensive that such a bleeped could be used without any reasonable whitabootery. 


  33. bfbpuzzled 12th January 2016 at 12:13 pm

    Given todays improved PA systems. (Well at some grounds!!) Then yes a bit of Justin Beiber or the likes being played full blast to drown out the nonsense may do the trick.


  34. James Doleman saying Sheriff will have a decision on arrestment warrant re the potential ringfencing of funds in favour of the wi-fi provider 810 on Friday morning.

    I suppose the next question is that if this has been going on from at least 2014 as indicated by Phil Mac are there any other service providers that have unpaid invoices sitting in the Ibrox  pending tray.


  35. ianagain 12th January 2016 at 12:01 pm #
    JDAgain RIFC council states in a court loan repayment to SD made. I do hope for his sake this is true. Company’s House disagrees.Also RCOJ case was case management only.

    ianagain, I don’t think that there’s a requirement to complete an MRO4 for Companies House when a charge has been satisfied. I’m as sceptical as anyone, particularly about stateaid guy, but it would have been an awful lot of effort to provide detailed information in a Land Registry search just to create a cut and paste spoof response. I’d guess that a payment has been made to MASH and the securities in relation to the loan satisfied. Whether or not new charges have been taken over assets is another matter. How TRFC manages to stay in business is also a mystery. 


  36. Just a little reminder at the time the wifi contract was awarded in July 2013 who was the Director of Communications and head of media to oversee the development of all media platforms including Rangers TV, digital, online and print publications”.

    From a fans meeting in August 2013

    Traynor then grabbed the mic and stated: “My salary is the same as my previous two jobs. No more, no less. My job isn’t just about PR. I’m involved in restructuring RangersTV, restructuring other platforms and bringing in Wifi to the stadium. Unfortunately these have been sidelined due to the need for ‘crisis PR’.”


  37. Allyjambo 12th January 2016 at 11:42 am #James Doleman tweeting RFC counsel has stated in court that SD loan has been repaid!
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Oh well
    If the TRFC Counsel says its been paid………..
    ………..We can all be sure it hasn`t been paid


  38. “Payment sent” by the debtor of course does not mean “Payment accepted” by the creditor. As repeated many times – if it is a conditional (by the debtor) payment then it may not be accepted by the creditor.


  39. I wonder if an informal deal was done for the two best TRFC players  sometime in Nov last year?
    If so
    The prospects of deferring insolvency until the close season could have improved considerably  although promotion prospects would be damaged
    However the football judgement would be whether the potential points lost by losing two good players would be worse than the definite loss of 15 or maybe 25 points through an insolvency event
    We shall see


  40. PMGB now suggesting RIFC dropped the conditions and Mike Ashley/SD has accepted the £5m repayment.  Also hinting that the conditions of the new loan are less likely to please the peeple than the old one.  Does that mean the big house has been securitised as well as the Edmiston one?  Also as much of the money is from commercial sources are there commercial interest rates at play too?  I’m not sure a “payday” style loan will convince the Glasgow Sheriff that RIFC are in the healthier financial position they claim to be in.


  41. So in relation to WiFi provider 802 it appears as though they may have been due cash from at least December 2014. 
    James Doleman is reporting the WiFi in the stadium has been off since internet provider Virgin Media pulled the plug over unpaid bills.

    Looking at t’Rangers forum the switch off seems to have been at the end of last season.

    Therefore the old old newco board thought improving in stadium WiFi it was the way to go. The old newco board thought they were getting fleeced and weren’t paying up (or couldn’t pay up). The new newco board are clearly cost cutting and not funding such frivolities and therefore appear to be in support of the old newco board but in defending the arrestment  action but are not in agreement with the old old newco board.

    Which just goes to show that there are elements of cherry picking with regard to what are the ‘good’ and bad’ parts of the company depending on the day of the week.

    But for the law the company is the company and a contract is a contract – regardless of who is in control.

    Omnishambles!!!


  42. Grant Russell @STVGrantQ: Why has wifi been switched off?
    A: It doesn’t work. #RangersAGM
    11:03 AM – 27 Nov 2015

    from the AGM  Q and A to Dave King  01


  43. Virgin Media not being paid!  I’m guessing this might be the tip of a large iceberg.
    I see Phil claiming that Waghorn is for sale, he’s been saying the same thing about Lee Wallace for 3 years.


  44. If they haven’t paid Virgin Media for a data connection since April, how do they know whether the Wifi system is up to spec or not?
    And if the financial picture is so bright and rosy, why fight the ring fencing order at all, presumably at some considerable legal expense? 
    Any money the new regime have saved on the wages budget must surely be matched by increased legal costs.


  45. http://news.stv.tv/west-central/1338780-rangers-wi-fi-providers-bid-to-ring-fence-300000-over-unpaid-bill/

    Rangers’ Wi-Fi providers are seeking to have £300,000 arrested from the club’s bank accounts last month set aside until a legal dispute over an unpaid bill is settled.
    IT firm, 802 Works Limited, is pursuing the Ibrox side over non-payment of bills. A sheriff granted an arrestment warrant for £300,000 against Rangers on December 31.
    At Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, a hearing was held to argue if the cash should remain ring-fenced. The IT firm claim Wi-Fi at Ibrox stopped when the internet service provider, Virgin Media, withdrew its services due to non-payment of bills.
    _________
    Money had already been arrested on new years eve 
    is that why they made a statement  on new years day 

    Friday, 01 January 2016, 14:00by Rangers Football Club Rangers International Football Club PLC (RIFC) is pleased to announce new loan facilities totalling £6.5m have been made available to the company over the past month.

    and then the rush to get the 500k from rangers first


  46. neepheid 12th January 2016 at 3:31 pm #If they haven’t paid Virgin Media for a data connection since April, how do they know whether the Wifi system is up to spec or not?

    Exactly. My car has no fuel in it, but I can tell it isn’t working correctly.

    In other news – I have made a contribution to the running of the site and the other aims of SFM.


  47. Was in the car and popped in BBC Radio Scotland news at 2pm this afternoon.
    It appears, according to them at least, that either there was no arrestment case today or, if so, it was not worthy of even a mention.Lead item on the sports news was wee Jonny Sutherland telling us that investigations into Celtic fans sectarian singing in Sunday – no “alleged singing” – and smoke bomb release being investigated by Police Scotland and the SFA.
    Just looked at the BBC website at 15:30 Nothing there either despite STV posting at 13:31
    This all in the same day Director General, Lord Hall, is being quizzed about the output of BBC Scotland. Enough said.
    .


  48. andy 12th January 2016 at 3:38 pm
    ======================
    Now that is very interesting, this is not the company petitioning the Court to have £300,000 arrested. This is the club petitioning to have the arrestment lifted. Presumably on the basis of the £6.5m loans.

    In essence, a Sheriff has already ruled that there is a real danger of insolvency, he would not have given the arrestment order otherwise. He was satisfied that there was a very real danger that the IT company would not be paid because the club was in imminent danger of insolvency.

    The club is now saying that they have raised £6.5m and everything is fine.

    However if £6.5m included £5m to go to SD then that only leaves £1.5m. The chairman and the audited accounts have made it clear they needed at least £2.5m injected to see the season out. That leaves -£1m.

    Sorry for being dense, but how does that demonstrate that insolvency is now less likely than when the Sheriff ruled on it.

    And also, under those circumstances, why the desperate rush to repay the £5m, when they had previously said they didn’t intend doing it. What terms are on these loans when the borrower was absolutely desperate to get them.


  49. Can anyone clarify who raised the action this morning?  Was it the wi-fi company seeking an arrestment or ring-fencing or was it Rangers asking for an arrestment to be lifted?
    I find it very odd that we wouldn’t have gotten wind of the original arrest order.


  50. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14198666.Wi_Fi_firm_has___300_000_Rangers__cash_ring_fenced_over_money_fears/
    A COMPANY has had £300,000 of Rangers’ money ring-fenced over fears of further financial trouble for the Ibrox club.

    The firm, 802 Works Ltd, were granted an arrestment warrant by a sheriff on December 31.

    They claim the cash is to be paid out for an unpaid bill for a Wi-Fi system installed at the stadium.

    all coming out the woodwork now

    why have they sat on it for 12 days ?


  51. chris cameron ‏@TheLeatherBelts 48m48 minutes ago@jamesdoleman James was this an appeal?. .the 300k had already been ring fenced
      James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 48m48 minutes ago@TheLeatherBelts There is an interim interdict in place, today’s hearing was about making it permanent


  52. Bbc have finally covered the WiFi arrestment story at 16.05pm


  53. Wednesday’s Court of Session business
    LORD WOOLMAN
     
    PETITION DEPARTMENT
     
    UNSTARRED MOTIONS

    4 P1266/15 Pet: Mash Holdings Ltd for orders under sec. 996 re Rangers  Brodies LLP 


  54. Section 996 of the Companies Act reads as follows:

    996 Powers of the court under this Part E+W+S+N.I.
    This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
    (1)If the court is satisfied that a petition under this Part is well founded, it may make such order as it thinks fit for giving relief in respect of the matters complained of.
    (2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the court’s order may—
    (a)regulate the conduct of the company’s affairs in the future;
    (b)require the company—
    (i)to refrain from doing or continuing an act complained of, or
    (ii)to do an act that the petitioner has complained it has omitted to do;
    (c)authorise civil proceedings to be brought in the name and on behalf of the company by such person or persons and on such terms as the court may direct;
    (d)require the company not to make any, or any specified, alterations in its articles without the leave of the court;
    (e)provide for the purchase of the shares of any members of the company by other members or by the company itself and, in the case of a purchase by the company itself, the reduction of the company’s capital accordingly.


  55. Section 996 is “unfair treatment of shareholders”

    “Unstarred” means counsel do not have to attend, so just procedural


  56. Section 996 is “unfair treatment of shareholders”

    “Unstarred petition ” means counsel do not have to attend, so just procedural


  57. So the ‘Rangers’ counsel states in court that the SD loan has been paid.
    Can any court reporter confirm if he had his fingers crossed behind his back when he spoke?!

    And the perennially cash-strapped club is now trying to have  GBP300K of scarce liquidity ‘unringfenced’.
    In January.
    Bad timing…
    …and any other, overdue trade creditor should be chasing their money with urgency and/or demand payment up front?
    Think TRFC might need yet another loan soon…  


  58. Re the image being used for SFM fund raising….should it not be a biscuit tin rather than a bucket?

    Do you need one donated?

    Scottish Football needs a strong Arbroath.


  59. My thoughts on strict liability. I do not ask that people agree with me, but they are my heart felt views. 

    I am personally not against strict liability, but for me there are two key issues.

    (1) The process must be rock solid in that all clubs will be treated EXACTLY the same. For that to happen there would have to be a defined list of chants, songs and offences that will lead to fines, ground closures or points docking. Given some of the bile I have personally heard at grounds then more than two clubs will be at risk of punishment.

    (2) The system simply can’t be influenced by what the media choose to make an issue of. Last weekend is a perfect example. They are in complete overdrive about flares at Stranraer, while flares at East End Park in another cup tie are not even mentioned, except on social media. Pyrotechnics are unsafe no matter which fans throw them so it can’t be up to the media to decide which clubs get into trouble for it. The existing player and manager disciplinary system is ridden with unfairness and inconsistency and much of that is down to trial by media, and the media choosing to ignore certain incidents. Strict liability can’t be applied in the same arbitrary way as the disciplinary process is. In short I do not believe the Scottish football authorities or the media are anywhere near ready for the introduction of strict liability.


  60. StevieBC 12th January 2016 at 5:21 pm
    ===========================

    The arrestment is really only appropriate because the amount is currently contested. A Court has been convinced that there is a real prospect of insolvency and should that happen then there is a real prospect of the wifi company not receiving what they are owed.

    Given the circumstances, if the club fails to pay anyone else on time and the amount is not contested then that business is likely to move for a winding-up order I would have thought.


  61. parttimearab 12th January 2016 at 4:47 pm #Bbc have finally covered the WiFi arrestment story at 16.05pm
    Yes with the usual one-sided slant.
    “Rangers counsel stated Wi-Fi system couldn’t handle 50,000 online at a time”
    Whereas i’m sure James Doleman told us that opposing counsel then produced the contract showing only designed for 10,000 – which was surely at the client company’s request. (Who was that Communications Director at the time? Did he not promise a new ‘Level’ for mobile users?)
    Why let the full factual account get in the way they want it portrayed?


  62. If it is argued that the wifi system was defective because it could not handle 50,000 online at one time that is arguing that the entire stadium is unfit for purpose- can the toilets accommodate 50,000 at one time or the food outlets or any of a myriad number of things which cope with capacities less than maximum attendance. Of course if 50,000 are online at one time that’s would reduce the numbers singing img or watching the game….

Comments are closed.