Rangers and Scottish Football

Football in Scotland

Why oh why should Rangers want to be part of it all?

First we have Hibs leader Rod Petrie

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/plans-to-restructure-scottish-football-wont-1485441

Reinforce at his club’s AGM the message that Rangers will not be fast tracked to the SPL

Did we ask to be fast tracked Rod?

No

Do we want to be fast tracked ?

No

Funny how the response from guys like this

When talking on this subject never specifically mention these facts

So can we please neck this once and for all

And move away from the underlying feeling

That every time this subject is discussed

Rangers are proactively trying to work a fast one

Next up we have Frazer Wishart and his union torags (PFA)

“Protective award”

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/hotline/sports-hotline-wednesday-december-12-1485867

http://pfascotland.co.uk/2012/news/statement-on-protective-award-claim/

Seems they have instigated a court action against the Rangers

On behalf of 67 current and ex Rangers players

As it turns out

It is not on behalf of the 67

Enough has already been written on the where with all of what is driving all this

Suffice to say it stinks to high heaven

The fact none of the current Rangers players were aware of the action

Obvious irony aside on “effective communication”

It Is absolutely outrageous what has happened here

What impact might this have had on their relationship with club, and supporters alike

Luckily it seems no damage has been done regards matters on the pitch

What happens now off the pitch

Is anyone’s guess

I’d suggest though this has caused a deep rift between union, and Scotland’s biggest club

Including Rangers players

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11788/8332194/Ally-McCoist-says-Rangers-players-in-a-compromising-position-by-PFA-Scotland

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-captain-lee-mcculloch-id-1485865

not good and I am sure some in the union senior exec are feeling Pretty exposed just now

Moving on we then need to look at Rangers 140 years of history

Celebrated superbly at Ibrox stadium last week

in front of almost 50,000 supporters

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/rangers-2-stirling-albion-0-1482800

Some Celtic twat (s)

http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/183813-Their-Rangers-obsession

thinks in doing this celebration shindig

we worked outwith set trading standards

We are a new co

As a result of this

We have misled our paying customers

We do not have a history

Therefore celebrating something we have no right to do so

Cause we don’t have a history

Government agency needs therefore to take action against new co

In a word

Pathetic

We do have a history

And it is recognised by SFA and Eufa

Coupled with this

We now get evidence

Celtic supporters are also challenging the London Stock Market

http://leggoland2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/celtic-fans-attack-stock-exchange-in.html

This time

With the desired outcome to derail the Rangers share issue

Again, like the trading standards fiasco

It all seems to be getting laughed out of town by those in relevant authorities

Fact remains though

The level of hatred towards a rejuvenated Rangers is there for all to see

Sporting integrity?

Do me a favour

So now to our old friends at HMRC

Seems they are going to appeal the big tax case result

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-20597808

Yep

That is the 2 – 1 majority verdict in favour of Rangers and SDM

If this appeal thingy is the appropriate course to take – fair enough

Difficult though for Rangers supporters to accept this as being reality

Given all the shenanigans going on within this organisation In leading up to the verdict

The Rangers tax case blog might have dissappeared

The need for a public enquiry into what went on around all this has not

The e -petition for such an enquiry, again despite Celtic supporters trying to derail, continues to show momentum

Hopefully the correct numbers are achieved

And we get a completely neutral view of what happened involving all matters Rangers and liquidation

I am sure SFA, SPL, BBC, BAFtA, HMRC and Lloyds TSB are bricking themselves about this possibility?

On a related note

It was good to hear from Charles Green on Tuesday night on STV news show

On the program he confirmed the number of apologies he has has received from all connected with Scottish Football

On previous accusations and actions they took on the premise of Rangers guilty on use of EBTs – cheats

Of course the aforementioned 2 – 1 verdict in favour of the club rubbished this

The subsequent appeal by HMRC probably defend all from sending said apologies

Specific to this

Celtic and the guy at their recent AgM

who to rapturous applause by all present at the meeting

Accused Rangers and the use of EBTs as the greatest ever affront to Sporting Integrity

Again apology on the error of this statement from the outspoken gent or indeed club

With the well known skeletons in their cupboards

including notable examples of tax avoidance schemes for their employees

This combination of cowardice, hypocricy and bitterness  really takes the biscuit

In the words of an old enemy of the Rangers – Gerry McNee

“We know enough about you sirs”

It is good to see Charles Green raise the bar again

Now formally stating we should not have been demoted from the SPL

I sense the guns are now being lined up here

Take our titles off us?

I’d just think about protecting yourself from losing yer job and avoiding lawsuit after lawsuit from the rejuvenated Gers

The Craig Whyte element and the work of the liquidators has kinda gone a wee bit quiet

When this litigation fully unravels

is when the bullets and cannon will really start to fire on all this

Just now our Charles is just setting the battlefield up

It pains me to have to post on such politico football matters

I much more enjoy covering the magic and or eccentricity of football

The greatest sport in the world

However, what is happening here in Scotland to the Rangers is just outrageous

It needs to be in the public domain

All written is not paranoia it is fact

Oh and lest I forget

The recent BARB figures on Scottish Football TV (SPL) viewing makes very interesting reading

Average viewing figs 21 games

– 2011/12                 150,000

-2012/13                   70,000

How a rejuvenated top league  minus Rangers is gonna work with SKY/ ESPN next year I have no idea

Especially given Rangers are now in a much stronger corporate position than when this year’s deal was signed off

Bottom line is

Without Rangers box office

TV coverage of Scottish Football with the big Media moguls is dead in the water

The evidence is there

Despite others trying now laughably trying to rubbish how BARB calculate their figures

http://www.eastfootball.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=36875

You just could not make it up

For a wee bit of humour

I post the lamentable article published in the Herald predicting a healthy out turn for TV viewing of Scottish Football

Minus the Rangers

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/knowing-our-rights.18109410

Finally

And to the Rangers boycott of Tannadice in February

Posted on this before

so no need to go over old ground on the hypocrisy of it all by United and others associated with Scottish Football

Although the charity angle by Mr. Green was a feckn master stroke

My only point of additional note really  regards this matter

Was a question

Is their an official / unofficial boycott of Celtic games these days?

One hears rumour and then counter rumour on the topic

It would be good to know the answer

Curiosity and all that

Cause the home and away attendances (Europe aside) at their games look sickly

lol

Rangers Football Club and the Big Tax Case

So it seems that Lord Nimmo Smith will have to complete his commission

The SPL under the auspices of the SFA will seek their pound of flesh from Rangers

The process for completing this has of course recently been delayed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20429232

This due to the unfortunate road accident incurred by SPL Chief Investigator/ Prosecutor Rod McKenzie of Harper McLeod

Calls had been made – primarily by Rangers supporters – for the work of the commission on this matter to be stopped

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/spl-must-scrap-hearing-into-rangers-1448717

While Charles Green has consistently questioned the legality of the whole SPL process noting old co / new co relationships

Rangers chief executive Charles Green said the verdict in the so-called Big Tax Case “undermines the validity” of a Scottish Premier League investigation into alleged undisclosed payments to players.

Rangers ex Chairman Alistair Johnston does not suggest the commission should be disbanded but does indicate that the threat of title stripping is no longer a course of punishment oopen against the club

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/201754-alastair-johnston-says-tax-ruling-means-rangers-must-keep-titles/

This a of course following result of the recent findings by the First Tier Tax Tribunal (FTT)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-20414804

Who voted a 2 – 1 majority in favour of Rangers appeal on the use of EBT’s

The findings of the FTTT

The majority of Rangers EBTs under investigation as illegal tax avoidance schemes were deemed legal

The EBTs in question seen as discretionary loans not subject to PAYE / NI

They are not emoluments

One might have thought like the Rangers supporters this would be the end of the matter regards the SPL investigation of Rangers on EBTs and dual contracts

However, there seems to be varying muddying of the water still at play

Which indicates as noted Lord Nimmo Smith’s work will continue

Carry on regardless

This muddying of the water includes

The FTTT was not unanimous in its verdict

The HMRC may appeal the verdict

Work of the FTTT and SPL commission although with many key adjacencies has different remits

The FTTT report on a few cases where Rangers use of EBTs had been illegal

Supporters of other clubs are also pointing to the recent John Terry case as an example where law and football authorities can have different outcomes on a matter of concern

The linkage here – with the exception of outcome – is tenuous and rather pathetic

It is symptomatic of the “clutching at straws” mentality one is seeing here in Scottish Football regards pursuit of the Rangers

Check the latest blog from our old mate Phil three names as evidence of this

http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/grown-up-reporting-required/

Beside all this there is much informal laughter and hilarity in other SPL quarters about what has subsequently befell Rangers under Craig White and why it was all so unnecessary

A kind of tuff luck and serves you right attitude – why?

Let us look at the circumstances coldly here with no favour given one way ort other

The club is pursued ferociously by HMRC on EBTs

Sir David Murray already in wider difficulties with his banker Lloyds TSB is encouraged to get rid of Rangers

This despite the club being significantly profitable over a sustained period and in a process of substantially reducing its debt burden to the bank

Also successful with 3 spl titles in a row achieved

The threat of a massive –circa £90m – tax liability after penalties imposed by HMRC following the expected findings of FTTT still though hovers over the club

Driving the relentless behaviour of Lloyds TSB to pursue a sale of the club (let us not get this rubbish that they simply wanted out of football)

Making it almost impossible to sell the club to anyone with a credible background

This is despite the Murray International Group consistently defending the use of EBTs within their organisation/ Rangers including significant legal representation in the FTTT process

The fact there were various settlements proposed/ rejected between Rangers and HMRC on this case is irrelevant

Pl bargaining in a court of law and outside settlement is part and parcel of the business when there is a lack of certainty on the outcome of a complex legal matter

The FTTT takes an inordinate amount of time to eventually reach a verdict in what is obviously a very complicated point (s) of law

Through this process there is consistent leaks from HMRC on the work of the tribunal/ prosecution which leads to various internet discussion/ unrest

This no doubt fuels (or justifies) animosity to the Rangers family amongst other clubs in Scotland particularly amongst their supporters

This matter of leakage is now being progressed by SDM’s representatives with an official review requested

No one outside of Rangers family thinks that Rangers have any chance of being proven innocent through this process

There remains anonymity within HMRC as to who provided what to the FTTT and who made what decisions within this organisation.

This may need to be “outed” if there is an official review.

No more cluedo and Tarrantino references

As a minimum this adventure by HMRC has cost the tax payer a potential £15m to the public purse and restricted (I not nearly destroyed) a great Scottish institution in its operational and strategic planning/ well being

Others are also now questioning why there has been a delay in the verdict being released and whether there has been any malicious intent against Rangers FC through this process

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-rangers-director-paul-murray-1449765

During this delay in reaching a verdict by the FTTT Rangers are sold for £1 to Craig White.

Rangers and Lloyds TSB are both warned against the sale.

Reference in this warning by the Rangers scrutiny board is rejected.

Craig White amongst others is now in legal proceedings over the purchase and running of Rangers Football Club

Lloyds TSB at an annual general meeting confirm they have had no input into the sale of the club and the consequences thereafter.

Following this statement by their chairman there is conflicting evidence on this point discussed/ circulated

Craig White predictably runs Rangers into the ground and further difficulties with HMRC.

Ultimately this leads to administration and then liquidation.

The club is investigated by the SFA and subsequently relegated to division 3, disqualified from European football and a controversial transfer ban placed upon them

Some supporters and others outside the Rangers family –even now- continue to argue that the club has not been punished at all/ enough
The SFA/ SPl absolve themselves of any responsibility of the operational governance (or lack of it) within Rangers under CW’s reign and seek to punish the club as noted

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/sports/rangers_hit_with_sfa_punishments

Leading up to the take over of the club by Charles Green it is absolutely gob smacking that through this cold and completely unbiased reporting of set circumstances affecting Rangers we still do not have any official comment from the SPL / SFA on this matter except an indirect implication that “nothing has really changed” and it truly is carry on regardless

Well it has changed.

Rangers guns will now be coming out and they will be pointing at both.

They will also be pointing at various others including HMRC and Scottish Govt.

As Ally said when all this kicked off

“There are probably one or two people out there enjoying it, maybe one or two people having a wee fly kick.

“I would suggest to them to give a right good kick just now because we will not be where we are for long.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17250340

And if Craig white’s takeover and reign of Rangers is ultimately proven guilty then the real recriminations will start

Footnote:

It was argued by many that the “big tax case” and the Craig White debacle should be kept separate

This is ridiculous it was the former that provoked the latter with both interwoven thereafter

It is without doubt that Rangers FC were shown no leniency on the misdemeanours of Craig White as a guilty verdict was seen to be hanging over them on the issue of the big tax case

If we surmise the Craig White set of circumstances

All key players knew of his corporate reputation and what it might mean for Rangers

He acted predictably to that regard
Rangers benefited zilch from his query illegal wrong doings
Rangers suffered all the punishments

This club is bad, cheats, is unrepentant and it needs punished sort of attitude pervaded SFA/ SPL officialdom in relation to this and justified their decision making

There was not one ounce of sympathy shown to Rangers or their supporters

Indeed to ask them to accept guilt as the SFA / SPL did when re registration was being sought tells a story of how the club was being treated by officialdom at the time

The worm has now turned though on these points

The EBT case has shown Rangers innocent and indeed most certainly wronged
CW is under legal redress for ownership and running of Rangers FC

If the latter court case finds him guilty

That he had no legal right to own Rangers and that he acted illegally and against the interest of the club

Under such circumstance of a Rangers free of EBT guilt and a discredited and illegal owner of the club the question needs to be asked

Did the SFA/ SPL act legally and ethically in their decision making against Rangers FC?

“Squeaky Bum” moment for a good few officials in high places in Scottish Football me think?