I have just submitted the following supplementary questions to the press office of the Scottish Football Association.
Can you confirm that in 2009 your organisation received “Third Party Notice under Schedule 36 of 2008 Finance Act” empowering HMRC investigators?
Can you also confirm that said legal mechanism was apropos Rangers Football Club?
Was this court ordered inquiry relating to the copies of contracts that you had received from Rangers FC and related correspondence?
Was the Chief Executive of the SFA in 2009, Mr Gordon Smith, informed of this legally enforceable request for this paperwork?
Was he aware that this was regarding a tax probe by HMRC inspectors into Rangers FC?
As per the previous questions, I will publish any response that is forthcoming from the SFA.
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Scottish football is a cesspit of corruption and very few seem to care enough to protest in any meaningful way.
What does this say about wider Scottish society – is everyday corruption familiar – a simple fact in ordinary lives – and so nothing to get excited about? Just give the guy a drink and move on.
Is Glasgow twinned with Lagos? Or did Lagos demur?
Can regular readers of your site have a go at answering this question?
I reckon I could have a fairly good stab at it.
Never ask a question that you don’t already know the answer to. ?
Phil I have criticised you on your blog and you have let me do so for that I give you thanks and it also could be called free speech and democracy. Two principles of what the clan ad say roughly of 80%certainly do not have. As they are always letting us know they are the people and their abhorrent arrogance in both Football and still unfortunately in other pursuits especially in Scotland prove. For them to even apologise or say sorry is not even in their nature .Not that that would financially help the people that they have robbed and for you to stand against them has shown courage and fortitude. So for the rest of the club’s saying drop this and move on definitely smells of shite . So I know you will keep after them even if it takes 10years instead of 5years.
I’m pretty sure you have done it or you wouldn’t be asking the question already but would it not be easier to FOI request HMRC for the relevent information or would that be for UK resident only.?
Was this section 36 order something to do with Souness and the Boumsong transfer, the dealings that brought this cheating to light.?
HMRC have an exemption which prevents disclosure under Freedom of Information law. Bummer 🙁
Phil, would you simply be seeking confirmation of things you already know perchance. You’re not giving specific dates but the fact that you are even giving years makes me wonder if you already know the answers but are a wee tad short on proof. The guy who wrote about a FOI request to the Tax people might be on to something.
The SFA have no legal obligation to responding under FOI legislation as a private company.
But it is a body thar receives funding from both the Scottish Government and sportscotland: the irony is that funding from the SG comes under assets seized from proceeds of crime passed to the SFA.
Questions posed to both the SG and sportscotland on meetings and exchanges they have had with the SFA must be disclosed under FOI legislation.
Who will step up to the mark to challenge both bodies? Both will be observing the necessary courtesies to advise the SFA of such approaches.
It’s just a money go round, they’re all involved, as will the next body be that tries to intervene.
Every one of them has their price, that’s how they pull it off, and every one will take the shilling that prevents any further, genuine, investigation.
If you get no response from SFA, would the following be a viable path to obtaining all relevant information – If a brand new club wanted to apply for membership of SFA, would that club be entitled to have access to all documents held by SFA pertinent to all rules & regs in order to ensure proper governance?
If yes, then I’m sure it could be made to happen by brighter minds than mine, in order to have all issues put to bed and we can ALL just concentrate on the football, which is producing some fantastic matches at every level.
*after “governance” should have been “, as a duty to their shareholders?”
Except Champions League level …
HMRC are a public body. Can any of this be FOIed? (same or cognate questions)?
Or would that fall under privilege?
Just a thought
Is that the same Gordon Smith who was a real Rangers man and is a former Rangers FC Director of Football?
The guy who travelled the whole of Scotland with “the goalie” to Rangers supporters clubs, bars and orange Halls, answering questions and trying to keep them all onboard? An adherent of WATP, post Liquidation spin?
I watched the game on telly.
I applaud the Celtic players. Head up Mikael Lustig, no shame.
They played their normal expansive attacking Celtic style football. They had several shots and forced a few saves.
When Lennon was manager he and Mjalby put our guys out to nine man defend with one outfielder. That might keep the score down but it’s not Celtic football. It’s terrible to watch.
There’s no shame in this. I’m disappointed by Rodgers comment about 12 year olds. It’s quite simply not true. Rodgers is distancing himself from the defeat and keeping his managerial credentials up. He’s also cleverly stating Celtic can play much better. This is a psychological play on the other opposition to come.
Heads up guys. No shame there.
The fact Barca beat Juve 3-0 puts our 5-0 into a better perspective! PSG spent £320m in the summer, we spent £5.5! PSG starting 11 estimated value £600m, ours £26.5m… we did well to stop a cricket score!
I’m 100% sure that you’ll get a response sometime like-never. As soon as they notice your name on the NUJ card it’ll be blanked. Can’t be giving a Timternet bampot any replies on this matter. Good luck, regardless.
I bet those honest men at the SFA will only be too pleased to answer your questions, they will all be so easy to answer as they have done nothing wrong, I am sure.
I am also sure that they will welcome this chance to put the records straight with full and frank answers to all your questions, rather than to leave it looking like they have something to hide. It will make a nice change for them, too, to be given the opportunity to answer questions put to them in the true spirit of journalism
The truth is always easy, while lies, of course, are usually best avoided with silence.
I doubt you will get an answer from them Phil, unless it is a deflection. However, of course you know the answers already.
They are scurrying for every dark corner now to try to avoid the shit that is coming. There seems to be many throughout Scottish football with plenty to hide. Otherwise, why would they not agree to an independent enquiry.
Don’t wait in for the Postman Phil lol
No wonder Gordon Smith was another keen to move on.