The new league season starts at the weekend and it is being talked up by the stenographers on the sports desks.
Just like team spirit at Sevco, everything is great.
Well, actually it isn’t.
A month ago the UK Supreme Court ruled that Rangers FC (1872-2012) scammed the public purse for a decade.
It gave them a massive financial advantage and during that period they won cups and league titles.
Rangers cheated their way to trophies and the record should be set straight.
Only the cowardly and the bigoted will disagree with that statement.
So far it is just Celtic who have issued a statement about the UK Supreme Court ruling.
I had expected, at the very least, to have had sight of the official opinion of Aberdeen FC and Heart of Midlothian FC.
Those two clubs, among others, were cheated out of millions in prize money and days out at Hampden during those years.
In my opinion, they owe it to their fans, sorry customers, to speak out.
I’m told that Ms Budge has come under severe pressure from the chaps on the 6th floor at Hampden to remain silent.
If my sources are wrong, and I don’t think they are, then she can speak out and explain her mystifying silence on the matter.
I’m told that the PR strategy from Hampden is that if Celtic FC is a lone voice in this then it can be packaged as “Old Firm rivalry”.
The agreed mantra from the soccer establishment in Scotland is that “there is no appetite” for title stripping.
The plea is to “move on” and that “healing” is required.
I know fans of various football clubs in Scotland who are absolutely famished.
Mr Gordon Smith, ex-CEO of the SFA and one-time Director of Football at Rangers thinks that the EBT decade should be left alone because it was “exciting”.
With that in mind, the fans of Scottish clubs might like to see the penalty shoot-out replaced with Hulk Hogan and Arnold Schwarzenegger going head to head in the centre circle with foam rubber pugil sticks.
Of course, the spectacle will be utterly fake, but so was what was on offer during the EBT years.
For a decade the supporters of football clubs in Scotland paid into a rigged game.
It was just that they didn’t know it.
Well, they do now.
However, the folk entrusted to run the game want the fans to forget about it and the local media are cheerleading for this onset of collective amnesia.
For the avoidance of doubt, this journalist is otherwise minded.
The Rangers saga was, in part, a massive failure of the local media, both in terms of journalistic skill, but most of all it was a failure of courage.
They should be sick with shame.
Consequently, it fell to journalists outside the local media tent to tell the story.
Alex Thomson of Channel 4 news turned up and showed them up.
Of course, your own humble correspondent has been on the beat for some time now…
Tonight Celtic are in European action in Norway.
Undoubtedly, the sporting contest Trondheim will be free and fair.
The sanctions imposed on Legia Warsaw in 2014 proved that UEFA does not approve of ineligible players taking part in their competitions.
They obviously do things differently in Nyon.
In Fair Caledonia, the EBT scandal involved scores of ineligible players playing in hundreds of games both domestically and in Europe.
Of course, an organisation that had Michel François Platini at its head cannot expect to be free from journalistic scrutiny.
However, I cannot think that they would turn away a cheated club who approached them about the EBT scandal.
I can only think of one in Scotland who might do that, but there are several on the continent who were also swindled by EBT FC when the klan was on the road to trashing Manchester in 2008.
Failure to appropriately address the legacy of the EBT years will consign Scottish football to the status of a WWF freak show.
Of course, the lifeblood of the game in Scotland, the fans, should be better served by the Fitba Fourth Estate on this matter.
Sadly, their courage is located somewhere off the radar.
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Would be good to hear Fergus ‘s views on the court outcome but agree with few on here no way would mc cann let it lie
The boos are still echoing around the Olympic stadium in London after proven cheat Justin Gatlin rained on Usain Bolt’s victory parade at the World Championships. Gatlin should never been allowed to run again, and some experts suspect that his cheating has given him a long-term sporting advantage. Sound familiar.
Rangers oldco cheated with financial doping on an industrial scale, dodging tax and issuing side letters which made player registrations illegal. This is cheating. In athletics, it leads to titles and medals being stripped and awarded to the runners up. In football, at least in Scottish football, it leads to official silence. Oldco cheated, the titles and trophies must be forfeited.
Meanwhile, Private Eye tells us that former Daily Telegraph chief executive Murdoch Maclennan has been made non-executive chairman of the SPFL. Apparently, he has a disdain for ‘bluenoses’. Could this, perhaps, be an opportunity for the SPFL board to reopen their hurriedly concluded discussions on Oldco’s Rangers’ tax shenanigans.
Or perhaps not….
Never mind they will be gone after liquidation 2 after their heavy spending for this campaign what will they come back as the wee sevco 10 in a row.
Just watched the BBC cover the re issuing of world athletics championship medals to those who where cheated out of them by the systematic cheating by the Russian athletes .
Michael Johnson said that this was a brilliant move by the IAAF but described the knock on effect of the cheating as catastrophic.
He said cheating in sport can never be excepted at any level.
Just hope that someone from the SFA / SPL was watching this moment of sporting integrity.
Phil,
First time post for me, thouroughly enjoy your site and books.
Perhaps we could borrow the words/sentiment from the lament to Brendan Behan and apply them to our national game in Scotland.
Lang mae yer lum reek Phil.
Ed.
I had a dream last night that the fans from all the Scottish clubs walked out in protest in the 55th minute!!
Phil, The World Cup in 1978 saw Scotland and Scottish Football on the march with Ally’s army. This phenomenon had had two never discussed aspects.
(a) what was the Unionist/ Westminster Governments response to this positive rise in Scottish civic Nationalism and
(b) how should the Unionist/ Westminster Governments ensure that this type of positive Scottish civic Nationalism never happens again?
Now consider that since 1978 (on any level of measurement) Scottish Football has not managed one single constructive step towards success. Create and Manage Failure – That is the roll of the SFA and by default their various reincarnations of the now spfl.
If the objective is to ‘Create and Manage the Failure of Scottish Football’ – then currently (and for the last 40 years) we have had all the correct people in place to do that. And they have enjoyed very considerable success.
For 4 consecutive decades no football authority on planet has managed the degree of performance and financial failure that the Scottish football authorities have consistently created and managed.
The real aim is to suffocate any national pride or overall progress in Scottish football. And for 40 years that has been the number one management task.
In a global sport that has expanded beyond recognition in terms of available financial rewards it takes a special type of management to keep creating failure. Even NI with a fraction of the resources available to Scotland can sustainably manage and cultivate positive success.
So the Rangers EBT event and what is following is just another step towards ‘Creating and Managing the suffocating Failure of Scottish Football’. The WATP brigade don’t care about Scottish football, and you already know that the Scottish press are compliant SFA lackeys – in fact these controlling stakeholders are constantly rewarded.
Finally, As you are pointing out – any success that occurs in Scottish football (say Celtic, Aberdeen etc) is not because of its supportive football authorities – it’s actually in spite of all the hinderance these charlitons willfully create!
As you say, hasta la vista ‘Scottish’ fitba. Long live the EPL….
Unless?
Unless we finally – as supporters – challenge and then change Scottish football authorities
I think patience is the key here. While I am astounded by the silence from Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian and others, there is an enquiry to take place first. Let’s await the result of that before moving to the next step – regardless of the perceived inevitability of the result of that enquiry. Due process must take its course.
Celtic have stated their position in just that way – they expect an enquiry and look forward to the result of that enquiry. I don’t believe they will let it go now that the highest court in the land has made its judgment.
Remember also that there is the court case with BDO and the administrators to come as well. We’ve waited 5 years for justice, another year or so will not lessen our appetites for justice and I am sure in the end that justice will prevail on two counts: Titles will be stripped and Rangers will be forced to accept they are a new club. Only then can Scottish Football move forwards – there is no other way.
Haven’t been to away ground since 2013 it”s a corrupt game.
A full boycott of away games is the only way forward to hurt teams, who still remain silent and are happy to take monies for the Celtic support.
See pedro been on the buckie again, if he has the best squad why is he trying to buy everyone elses best players and ship out his bestest players.
How’s that well sourced info that Celtic are on top of all this coming on Phil? From where I’m sitting I think it’s absolute flannel. As I said before, fed up with the glacial movements of the Celtic board but then again I’m working to a “toddler’s timetable”.
This could be a ploy by PL to get us into England.
We are a European Club who are being discriminated against by our own FA.
We need to , in the interest of fair play , move to our nearest neighbour FA
IMHO a boycott of all away games and a total boycott of all Cup games would be the only way that things will change. People talk about hurting the other clubs but if they are not willing to stand up for themselves why should we fund them. The other clubs seem to have accepted cheating so our motto should be look after Celtic and Celtic only when the others clubs grow a pair then they can change things.
Happy to have them by the throat, on and off the pitch, heading towards ten and a row, and that to remain our focus. We know they cheated, they know they cheated. We can use that fact at any time to “raise the bar” if they start to get too cocky.The board have to be trusted and we also have to consider that any approach by Celtic as a “PLC” will always be considered proportinately. Everyone connected to Celtic has raised their game since DoDo FC came in to the league. Let us keep winning while holding their feet to fire and we can let go appropriately, without breaking this wonderful momentum we have.
I have emailed the St Mirren Independent Supporters Club to seek their support for the #stripthetitles campaign. As a fan contributing to the eventual fan ownership of my club, sporting integrity is a priority. The SFA and SPFL that guise as the governing bodies of Scottish football are a shameful sham and need to be completely overhauled. This isn’t just a Fake Firm matter it is the biggest sporting scandal ever in Scottish football. Yet our authorities and compliant media are happy to sweep it under the carpet. I was told that SMISA couldn’t comment but that the matter would be discussed at their next meeting. I will keep you posted on their response.
It is an absolute outrage that they are trying to spin the narrative that Celtic supporters are complicit in trying “trying to bring them down” any decent person caught out doing wrong would admit the fault and make amends.
I don’t go to football matches but it staggers belief that they show such contempt to the paying customer..why any Celtic supporter would give one brass farthing to any club other than Celtic in times like this is to me beyond the realms of fantasy…. Rory McIlroy lost out in the recent Open because a spectator pinched his ball from the rough…. but the SFA and the whole football establishment treat the paying fans like shit …. kick them in the pocket…boycott….it is the only remedy.
Bravo Phil! And bang on the money!
Last week I emailed Celtic to tell them I was done with football and cancelled my Premium Celtic tv subscription. I am also not buying anymore kit from now on.
I told them that the only way I would come back was when they showed, by ACTIONS, that they were not going to let this charade simply pass. I had warned them of this when I wrote to them at end of last year over Res12 and how angry I was at their inaction.
I know it is not Celtic’s fault, but I am not going to keep putting money into Scottish football while they do nothing about righting the wrongs of yesteryear by RFC and the current wrongs of the SFA 7 SPFL. Silence may be golden, but in Scottish football silence simply enables more corruption.
There has to be a complete clean-out of the SFA & SPFL so that the blatant favouritism shown to NEWCO is ended (ANOTHER home draw????). By the way, I’m not implying that I want the SFA & SPFL stacked with pro-Celtic people, but I do want it to be run going forward by people who will treat all clubs fairly and without favour. Is that too much to ask?
As much as our outrage at the financial misdeeds is fore, and justified, we must remember that what will alter results is the fact the players were improperly registered. The illegality and coverup were covered by a 250k fine, apparently, but the 3-0 reverses in all games should be at the forefront, even if it sounds petty (tell that to Spartans and Legia!)
Financial Fair Play….now there’s a thing….spending more money than you have to get an advantage has already been deemed…unfair and is punished accordingly.
It’s UNFAIR to cheat.
It’s UNFAIR to lie.
It’s UNFAIR to sell something off the back of a lie.
It’s UNFAIR to cover up lies.
It’s UNFAIR to avoid paying tax when everyone else is.
Life is UNFAIR…if you were a Rangers creditor, that’s everyone in the UK.
It’s time Scottish Fitba had fairness.
It’s not unfair to spend more than you have, it’s unfair if you never pay it back – especially if you try to hide what you’re doing and have no intention of ever paying it back.
I saw Gordon Smith on Peter & Roughie last week.. His attitude towards the whole EBT scandal was shocking, he seems to think that it can only be deemed cheating IF they had won everything that was put in front of them. And just because Celtic won league titles during the EBT years then that means it wasn’t cheating.. So basically he saying move on nothing to see here…
It’s the Celtic fans who are long suffering over this cheating.
It is the Celtic fans who deserve justice against the 12 years of Rangers cheating and 17 corrupted titles.
The titles need dry cleaned and presented to Celtic on a silver platter.
I expect the hundreds of cheated players to stump up for any fund. Some are millionaires.
I don’t think a boycott, from the Celtic support is the answer. The only club who would benefit from this would be sevco. Every club in Scotland would miss out financially with no Celtic away support, except sevco, Who’s supporters would still fill Ibrox. This would also give them an advantage, with four sides of the ground singing their vile songs. No, I think a boycott of the national team would be better. At every Scotland home game, supporters of every club should wear their team colours and congregate at the car park outside Hampden. Hopefully there would be a lot more outside than inside. A bit of noise and colour might get the attention of world media and embarrass the jokers who are running and ruining our game. Shame them into applying the rules.
Stuff that!
I’ve been saying for years we should boycott all of the away games for at least a season and see what the other clubs think of losing the “green pound”. The problem at all the other silent clubs, the vast majority of their board members would, if push came to shove, prefer a Rangers victory than a Celtic victory.
Stuff them all. As for Sevco, I would hand them their tickets back for The Debt Star fifteen minutes before kick off and send our boys out to stuff them in front of their own angry fans and an empty stand.
I don’t want to sound like a toddler, however, I agree with Croppy.
I too hope that Dermot and Peter prove us ALL wrong.
Boycott all away games loss of revenue will force other clubs to speak out.
I will not put money into a corrupt sport. It’s a disaster everyday that not one other club doesn’t speak up the integrity of our game is at stake. I will never buy a football strip for my kids again until this is sorted
UEFA and FIFA are doing nothing to investigate the use of ineligable players in their competitions. How many European games did RFC play using players that held two contracts. One that was taxable and the other tax free. How many countries fielded players employed at Ibrox that were ineligable to play International football as they had failed the registration rules to play domestic football
I think that’s the real reason why they can’t open the can of worms, Charlie.
Imagine having every fitba fan in Europe feeling the rage and resentment that we feel now ..-
Too many heads would roll over it and they just won’t let that happens s they’d lose control.
I hope Alex is still interested and preparing a definitive Channel 4 documenetary that will soon attract attention across Europe and force UEFA action. That must be worth a few BAFTAs.
The way he made the local journos look like village idiots with polite arguments of fact and logic was priceless – I hope he can dupe a few informed locals to set the scene – just for fun.
He could do worse than start with the interview Mr Doncaster gave to STV last week. He stated clearly that the LNS debacle ‘covered’ the wee tax case and the opinion that it didn’t was one of ‘many misconceptions’ being put out there. Informed opinion is that he is lying on camera. If informed opinion is correct, any good journalist surely has him bang to rights? Force him to admit his lie and that seems like a good way to light the touchpaper on the fireworks display that’s coming!
All fans know the press swindle them to the benefit of Rangers and Sevco. Yet they keep buying it.
How hopeless and dumb is that?
Boycott….. the only remedy.
Sadly many will still turn up to games despite the corruption in our game .
Celtic are rightly in my opinion staying silent on matters as Traynor and his puppets are trying to turn this into an old firm grudge .
This despite the old firm being over in 2012.
Like many I’m surprised at Milne and Budge being so quiet ,what pressure is being put on them .
Also why is Dave King allowed to turn up and have private meetings with messrs Regan and Doncaster .
When he is not passed fit and proper to run any football club in Scotland .
What hold does he have on them and others at the SFA ,is their blackmail involved .
Nothing would surprise you knowing Kings track record .
I’ve gave up putting money into the Scottish game and not set foot in a ground since 2012 .
Like many sickened by the lies ,deciet and downright criminality of those in charge of our game ,whose sole interest is to protect Sevco /Rangers
Anyone who thinks otherwise wise is deluded .or one of Traynors media puppets
Cowards everyone of them .
hiya
i know it is truly unfathomable but (and Phil might correct me on this…?): i believe the GASL was actually deemed “fit & proper” by the authorities when he assumed his place atop the marble tower in mordor and took over the “running” of SMELLS LIKE A DUCK FC….. scotland’s newest fitba’ team
this really goes to show what we are up against……
keep the faith….. ¡NO PASARAN!
nick
Stuart Milne has been anything but quiet, he wants Scottish football ‘To move on’
A spineless disgrace and an embarrassment to Aberdeen supporters.
I’m getting a bit excited about the hints of action over at CQN about a possible judicial review into this on-going whitewash.
However, the push for justice should be led by Celtic Football Club.
We were the most wronged through 10 years of cheating.
The silence from Celtic Park has become deafening and very worrying.
I hope Dermot and Peter prove me wrong.
And soon!
STRIP THE TITLES!
Why should Celtic lead the way when cowardly chairman from other clubs sit and do nothing and are being pressured from within the SFA .
The SFA and the media are trying to turn this into an agenda by Celtic .
Their is a concerted effort by Traynor and his cohorts to poison Celtic at every opportunity.
It is going to take ordinary fans to speak out against the corrupt SFA and their lies and fabricated PR .
if we dont who will?
I wish Fergus was at the club now.
He would not let this go.
Realistically, I think that UEFA is the only chance of justice.
STRIP THE TITLES AND CUPS.
Nobody wants them. Just amend the records and explain why.
Sevco can keep the asterisks on their shirt to remind all about the cheating years.
Yes indeed, if only Fergie was still in charge, there would be help to pay and he would go after everyone concerned with this disgraceful deceit and he would definitely win.
No, this one’s way too big for Fergus.
Even UEFA can’t touch it.
the teams I support are Celtic and Liverpool.
I mention Liverpool because of the ownership travails we have passed through.
Current guys not maybe ideal but Hicks-Gillette were like current Sevco gtoup -except they werent actual crooks.
Point being supporters mostly have no control over club ownership so I feel for Sevco support.
As a Celtic supporter I am sick of hearing our board is keeping their powder dry.
We must have the driest powder in history.
Rangers ran illegal remuneration schemes and fielded players that were wrongly (not incorrectly or inadvertantly ) registered.
This is proven in two verdicts. End of discussion apply the rules.