A colleague messaged me last night and asked if I had seen the Dave King statement.
I replied and said that I had just written a piece about it.
Wrong.
I had written a piece about the PREVIOUS Dave King statement!
Sevco life comes at you fast.
The text of the statement I missed is carried here by the BBC.
Never before has the jibe “Statement O’clock” been more apposite.
When the first of these anti-SPFL communiques was issued the Serious Professional was aghast.
I am told that he immediately contacted a PR guru in a faraway galaxy and asked him WTAF was going on.
The inter-galactic chap rather sheepishly informed him that he was merely following orders.
When I learned of this conversation late last night I looked at my last offering and suppressed a Nuremberg chuckle.
It is a given that Mr David Cunningham King is a master of deflection.
His statement salvoes have The People fully onside.
“Finally we are fighting back” is the accepted message board wisdom.
Of course, it feeds the victim narrative that the events at Ibrox since 2102 has been the outworking of a massive conspiracy.
I believe this labyrinthine skulduggery is best displayed in the visual form.
There are several charts doing the rounds that seem to be the work of a Beautiful Mind.
For the avoidance of doubt, your humble correspondent is on those bizarre collages, working away tirelessly in a Machiavellian fashion.
The reality of more prosaic.
The original Rangers, as the strapline on Downfall assets “self-destructed”.
However, that isn’t good enough for the People.
They need outsiders to blame.
This current squirrel has an Irish dimension so even better!
If this is a deflection exercise, and I believe it to be so, then it doesn’t answer what Mr King wants to deflect.
Allow me to speculate.
This morning I received an email from the Media centre at UEFA.
I had put the following questions to them eight days ago on the 23rd:
Hello
I am a journalist and I have questions about the granting of UEFA licences.
Can you confirm the dates on which UEFA licences are granted?
Is it permissible to award UEFA licences conditional upon future events apropos FFP compliances?
Are there any circumstances under which such a conditionally awarded licence would be withdrawn because some promised conditions were not fulfilled?
Many thanks.
Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
By yesterday I had not received a reply so I sent a reminder.
This morning this was in my inbox.
My questions are in italics and the replies from UEFA are in bold.
Here they are:
Can you confirm the dates on which UEFA licences are granted?
Every club that has qualified for the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League needs a licence, which is granted to a club by the national associations (or sometimes leagues). This is based on the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations. UEFA then verifies documents and figures from all clubs which have been registered for one of the UEFA competitions.)
Each licensor has its dates, final date to be communicated to UEFA on 31 May
Is it permissible to award UEFA licences conditional upon future events apropos FFP compliances?
Club licensing and FFP are separate processes.
Are there any circumstances under which such a conditionally awarded licence would be withdrawn because some promised conditions were not fulfilled?
A conditional license it not allowed.
I had sent these questions to UEFA because of speculation about the state of the Sevco application for a European licence.
It had been suggested to me that there might be a fudge whereby the basket of assets could be granted a conditional licence until they got some FFP issues sorted out.
At least that has been cleared up.
UEFA do not grant conditional licences.
However, that does not answer the question about why the toys are being thrown out of the pram in Joburg.
I fear that in the time it has taken me to write this piece there could be another statement…
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I particularly liked this bit:
“Any organisation that has behaved properly would welcome an independent and transparent review.”
I assume mr king would therefore welcome an independent and transparent review of the financial dealings at the club currently playing their football at ibrox?
I’ve thought on umpteen occasions over the last six years that the “end game” was approaching and every single time someone has rescued them and left me disappointed. They came into being, a difficult birth, because of some seriously dodgy practices by the powers that be. They have been on life-support pretty much ever since. Those same powers may now be ready to turn the machine off. If they die, and I believe it’s still a big if, the country as a whole can take a huge step forward. BUT, ONLY, IF EVERY TEAM IN SCOTLAND REFUSES TO LET SEVCO’S TOXIC SUPPORT INFILTRATE THEIR OWN.
Phil, I hope your fingers have cooled down from all your wonderful word crafting as “statement o’clock” comes thick and fast!
However, just a quick question from a very humble me.
Whilst you have “The reality of more prosaic”
In their case should it not be “The reality of more prozac”?
(prozak (fluoxetine) – is used to treat major depressive disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder and Panic disorder)
Looks like we might well see Killie in Europe sooner rather than later. Do the rangers actually have audited accounts for the most recent financial year?
…….aaaaaaaaand, back at ya Mr King say the SPFL.
A Thursday statement must be incoming as we know how they love to have the last word.
Just listening to the Radio Snyde Call in quiz thing… Alex Rae is the bottom of the barrel pundit (vague). He’s just been asked what he’d do if he won the ‘five grand’ prize…
Well… I wasn’t exactly expecting him to say he’d be sending it to hMRC but he took delight in saying he was off to Portugal for a break at the weekend.
Maybe he’s already ponied up!
On another ibrokes related matter.. What’s the news on ‘Stevie Watch’? Is he being tracked up the M6 or is he ‘jetting in’?
I still think there’s a major Dahlesque twist to come in this episode of the Sevco Story. An early morning statement announcing an anullment on grounds of ‘financial non consummation ‘ is not beyond the realms of likely possibility.
The basket of assets is a huge moveable feast right now. Teetering from the appearance of stability to tottering to on the brink. That’s cashflow for you. Enormous inflated wage bill being offset by season ticket inflows and outset by suppliers and lenders repayments. Any Chief Operating Officer or Chief Financial Officer earn their corn in the pre season during the transfer window but ultimately cashflow is King. To my eye, and as events unfold, the BOA needs to offload players from the wage bill asap or face an actual Armageddon. The current situation isn’t like previous seasons, this is genuine possibility.
Following the match fixing scandal in 2006 Juventus were put down to Serie B with, after an appeal, starting in Serie B with a 17 point deduction.
They had to take it on the chin but took the opportunity to rebuild the club from the bottom up, including moving to a brand new stadium.
They have now won Serie A 7 times in a row and again are a force to be reckoned with in Europe, giving Madrid the fright of their lifes in the CL semi final.
Contrast with Rangers journey back. Almost every decision made by the board and football management has been short term.
Instead of identifying young and upcoming players who were capable of moving through the leagues and paying sensible wages they went, in the main, for hardened pros paying them wages way beyond their capabilities.
The end result was a crashing aggregate defeat to Well in the play off and another year in the Championship.
On the financial side £20m plus came in from a share offer but instead of being stored away, pending a return to the top league, it quickly was gone.
Loans from Directors and others now top £25m some of which is secured against assets which are moveable and easily sold. Eg. Catering equipment.
There’s talk, jusf talk, of another share issue.
There’s conflict with COS/TOP.
There’s issues with the SFA surrounding the 2012 UEFA licence application.
There may well be further issues with next season’s UEFA licence.
A new, inexperienced, manager starts tomorrow.
He may have a 4 year contract but the burden of stopping 10 IAR will be massive.
If 7 turns to 8 then the pressure will ramp up, 9 then 10 are within touching distance.
As with the historic double treble 10 has never been done before and most likely never will be again.
That’s what will keep Brendan on board for 3 more years whilst his Ibrox counterpart can only dream of the resources available to the Champions manager.
CL Group Stage qualification for the 3rd year running will be a target for Brendan but no doubt, with an extra qualifying round to navigate, and 8 games through July and August, it sure won’t be a walk in the park.
Bring it on.
I might be a tad cynical but I think this whole spat between Dave King and the SFA/SPFL was manufactured to allow the authorities to refuse an inquiry and thereby creating a precedent when any new one is called for into the Sevco/King shenanigans.”The Daily Ranger”, on an extra-terrestrial request, digs out a twelve year old joke to kick things off.
Now when they announce the European licence has been renewed, the media will sell it as only redressing the balance given the authorities obvious “anti-Sevco” bias.
After all it is only fair, is it not?
Interesting, Phil, that UEFA define licensing and FFP as separate processes when — obviously — they are inextricably connected. The following UEFA publication entitled ‘UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play’ demonstrates their connectedness and defines exactly what is required of both national awarding bodies and applicants.
https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Tech/uefaorg/General/01/80/54/10/1805410_DOWNLOAD.pdf
Noteworthy points include the following;
“Article 47: 2 Annual financial statements must be audited by an independent auditor as defined in Annex V.
“Article 49 – No overdue payables towards football clubs
“Article 50 – No overdue payables towards employees and social/tax authorities
“Article 50 – 2 Payables are those amounts due to employees or social/tax authorities as a result of contractual or legal obligations towards employees. Amounts payable to people who, for various reasons, are no longer employed by the applicant fall within the scope of this criterion and must be settled within the period stipulated in the contract and/or defined by law, regardless of how such payables are accounted for in the financial statements.”
On paper at least, these and other conditions stipulated might present a few problems for any flub that was struggling, in disputes over late payments to ex-members of staff, and not able to provide fully audited accounts.
Is Jabba paid per statement.
Asking for a friend.
DK Obfuscation – When will they call him up on disrepute charges. If wee Lennie suggested that a ref had one sock down and one up he’d be hauled.
These statements are absolutely delicious. What a total fruitcake. Please don’t stop, Dave. We’re loving it.
Oh dear oh dear so the posturing statements will be to blame the SFA for not getting a licence rather than GASL not running the business correctly.
Oh jelly and ice cream at the ready lol ?
The guy is an absolute nutter. If there is one club in the world that shouldn’t be questioning the probity and professionalism of it’s football authorities it’s the Ibrox one.
He’s running the state aid guy close in the nutter race
Having cheated and lied constantly to the same football authorities and HMRC, over a period of at least 10 years, the South African based convicted criminal is crying wolf at the top of his voice.
Farry,Smith, Ogilvie, Dickson, Bryson….the charge sheet is long.
He’s been allowed to act as a Shadow Director by the SFA for years without rebuke and this is the thanks they get.
Park with his feet in two camps of teams playing in the same league with one of them gifting the other their best player for 5 months, just pay the transfer fee when it suits you being the message.
Looking forward to the presser tomorrow as the Fat Controller hands over a crib sheet to Gerrard who then slaps him about the face with it.
There are so many things on the go that pre guessing which really bad news is coming down the pike is lottery.
If it’s UEFA licence related is that why the Goldson deal has cooled?
Never having played in European competition before might be a considerable attraction for a player but perhaps signing someone attracted by that particular carrot, then telling him that pesky UEFA rules have gotten in the way, might be a step too far even for the Ibrox club.
I think the Goldson deal has cooled over a pesky little item called money. Both for his wages and the club’s transfer fee. 🙂
The moment King sent out his idiotic statement the other day it was absolutely clear to everyone, except the followers of The World’s Most Embarrassing Club, that it was deflection tactics and he was clearly worried about something.
I find it incredible that he screams and bawls for an “immediate investigation” yet when he’s rapidly told “Shut up, you’re talking garbage”, he then bursts out crying….”I’m surprised at the SFA’s quick dismissal of my request”!
He and his pathetic PR monkey must be very close to bringing the game into disrepute with their constant nonsense. At the very least, this is a con trick being carried out in full public view on their sad-sack followers.
It’s so easy to read between the lines of anything he says and understand what his paranoia is driving him to. As usual, he’s probably barking up the wrong tree.
Good on the SFA (there’s a phrase I never thought I’d use) for telling him to get lost.
A very embarrassing creature running a very, very, very embarrassing club!
Over the last few days I’ve become convinced of a huge business opportunity for a toy-exchange in the Joburg area – such is the rate at which the instruments of play are being expelled from David’s perambulator.
Another striking aspect to his activities is the extent to which they’re coming to resemble those of Donald Trump.
Tenuous relationship with the facts? Check.
Petulant and childish response to imagined slights? Check.
Increasingly batshit crazy? Check.
Geared towards appeasing a particular self-pitying, socially aberrant sector of the population? Check.
Unsavoury undercurrents of racism? Check.
Scattershot discharge, railing against the established bodies in all directions? Check.
Ongoing attempts to conceal details of his personal tax history? Check.
Constant casting of aspersions and innuendo towards rivals, while never providing supporting facts? Check.
Autocratic approach to business dealings, keeping subordinates out of the loop? Check.
Obsessed with occupying the news cycle, driving the narrative via disreputable media surrogates? Check.
Doesn’t shy from association with The Klan? Check.
Increasingly batshit crazy? Check. [ Oh wait, we’ve had that one already, haven’t we… ]
The points of correspondence are so many that I’m becoming convinced he’s been positively inspired by Trump’s example, and is consciously emulating it. The only things he doesn’t have are a dodgy wig and a bright orange face, and I’m expecting those any day soon.
The book is now open as to which of these two reprobates will take the fall first.
Popcorn at the ready…
Brilliant comparison MTG. But I feel I must point out one factual inaccuracy. There is absolutely NOTHING about the Lying King that is not orange…….to the core!!!
Why do you use Donald Trump in a story about squinty dick ?????
Have you ever met or spoken to Donald Trump,I take it you haven’t neither have I so could not comment or compare him with anyone.
Why do you use Donald Trump in a story about squinty dick/
Have you met and spoken to DT I think the answer is no so why try and sully him by using his name in this.
StevieG’s first day a big school tomorrow. Hope he’s learnt the lines Jabba gave him and he doesn’t slip up.
Let the fun begin!
Hi Phil
I wonder how far back the GASL would like to go back looking for transparency. Would he like to look at the Ebt years etc.
I think he’s trying to throw enough mud because as you say there’s bad news acoming.
No ‘luck’ with transfers just frees in the door so far, no sign of an escrow account or the new share issue. What could possibly go wrong
Could he be building up a head of steam to do ‘walking away’ but with pockets full of OP money
The mind boggles
HH
While I’ll hope to wake up to some justice and hear that the SFA have followed due diligence and refused to recommend the European license….
….. knowing how things have worked historically , I cant see past the authorities giving Sevco the green light… even though the pet club dares to bite the hand of its masters.
Then again, an ill-trained dog tends to see itself as ‘master’ if allowed to rule the roost! It’s clear Dave King thinks he is ‘top dog’.
Can’t wait for the next statement!
Is it not time for the Hibs board to start asking questions about sevco euro licence and ffp? Think how many more season tickets they could sell and fill Easter road on European night,don’t understand their quietness,stand up for your club hibs fans and start asking! Mind you “it will be all Neil Lennon’s fault”.heho
Hibs have qualified for the Europa League. I think it’s Stevie Clarke and Kilmarnock you need to direct this to
Maybe ask their ‘chairwoman’ and her “move on” stance…..
I feel that this is Dave King seeking his “get-out clause”, in that an EGM is called by SPFL member clubs to discuss Mr Mitty’s inane rants, in the hope that he is not longer deemed “fit and proper”. By playing this out in the public eye, his hope is that it would be widely perceived that SFA/SPFL are to blame for any sevco woes, moving forward. King is a wounded animal, backed into a corner – and we know how dangerous that situation can potentially be!
These are very special times.for tims.
Don’t forget to take the time to enjoy every precious detail.
Ppeeeeppp…. Licence….OFF….>>>
Referee…..!!!!
Quality work again.
Could it be then that the Take Over Panel hold all the aces regarding Kings wishes to raise more cash via a new share Issue?
If so would it then be such a wise move to piss the dealer off?
Oops.
From a Jack to a King…
Looks like someone has reminded Dave of the Transvaal that talk is cheap and that its a cost effective way of deflecting from real shitstorm, the fact is its about all they can afford to do given situation .
Wonder if Malaga, Galatasaray, Dynamo Moscow and AC Milan are watching what goes on in the SFA carefully, considering they all had euro license knockbacks. Perhaps they may need relevant details sent to them to decide if they were treated discriminantly by football authorities?
If club licensing and FFP are separate and they were awarded a club license, does FFP ratifying that license still have to happen?
It is far easier to write a statement than write a cheque! Moreover, King’s customer base seem more ready to accept harsh words than hard cash, as long as those words are directed toward the right people.
Meanwhile the new season is just a couple of months away.
Here’s a genuine question. Imagine, by some miracle, the TOP found themselves to be satisfied and a share issue that would provide a £6m treasure chest for Stevie G, could go ahead, what is the turn around time for this to happen?
Don’t worry I hear there it an omnibus edition scheduled for Sunday
Just wondering if DK is thinking
“If I make enough blustering noise this lot will grant Rankers a licence to keep me quiet”
Breath still baited….