As the season draws to a close, so reflection on an eventful year for Celtic begins. My recent unemployment, which I’m sure has afflicted many of you, has given me pause for thought regarding Celtic and this is proving to be both cathartic and enjoyable (at least for me, if not for you). I hope this will be one of a (staggered) three part post, focusing on the major issues that have impacted Celtic, and all of us, this season. The media/tax case, the role of the SFA/SPL (which may take some research given their consistent ineptitude) and finally, most importantly, footballing matters and what lies ahead.
Given the unfortunate magnitude of “non-footballing” events, it seems appropriate that we should begin our review there.
The demonisation of Neil Lennon has been well documented on this blog (https://thecelticblog.com/2012/03/blogs/the-demonisation-of-neil-lennon-part-one). Those of us that follow the English Premier League will be well aware of the misdemeanors that land the likes of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in tepid water. Why are two managers, so perpetually critical of officials, treated so leniently by the FA ? Transpose to the SPL and the reason is obvious:
Neither are Northern Irish Catholics that manage Celtic FC in Scotland.
This is a truth that is borne in fact and cannot be denied. I say this from the perspective of a protestant, Glasgow-raised, Celtic fan. There is no religious (or otherwise) bias here.
The main stream media (MSM), have been disgustingly complicit in the hatred and bile directed towards Neil Lennon. “Lennon is angry”. This sells newspapers. Amongst others, Hugh Keevins, Jim Traynor, Darrell King and, particularly in recent years, someone that cannot hide his hatred for all things Celtic, even at a charity event, Tom English. A man that has the audacity to call a colleague, whom has done more investigative journalism in 2 years than he has in his whole career, a “chancer”. Given the current circulation figures of his employers’ publication, I’d be more worried by my own performance.
The mainstream media is done. There is no such thing as informed, fact-based, journalism these days. Even the standards of the intelligentsia, like the Guardian are littered with lazy, poorly researched opinion articles.
The MSM’s ignorance regarding knowledge of events transpiring at Rangers is astounding. The general misconception is that the role of the First tier tribunal (FTT) is to ascertain whether or not HMRC find Rangers guilty of tax evasion/avoidance (the distinction could fill another post).
Apparently they cannot google “first tier tribunal”.
Rangers HAVE been presented with a tax bill by HMRC, who consider them guilty of tax evasion. The FTT is not to determine whether or not HMRC find them guilty of this crime. The FTT (perhaps the first of many) is made of up of 3 judges, in a civil court, that is considering Rangers’ APPEAL AGAINST HMRC’s verdict of guilty. The FTT (more specifically, the Tax chamber) considers appeals, it does not make the initial decision on a case.
I anticipate the decision going against Rangers. HMRC have pursued this vigorously. The actual amount and severity of the punishment is another matter. The guilty verdict is perhaps more important (explaining HMRC’s protracted pursuit) and sets an important precedent. HMRC have been embarrassed by high profile decisions going against them in recent years. We’re in the midst of a brutal recession and with grossly high unemployment figures the government cannot be seen to be taking a lenient stance on this.
Tainted titles. Indeed
The media have indulged in a furious PR campaign since Walter Smith came back. They have been preparing for this day – TODAY, when the SPL chairmen have to look in the mirror and decide whether to save their own pups or feed them to Satan for the sake of a shilling.
Their misreporting has been complicit and the corner stone of this whole thing. Where are the FACTS about a post SPL with neworc or without Neworc FC? Eh? Should be easy enough as they seem to be quite good at calling up chairman and saying: “Whit aboot the poor Raunjers?”
They also haven’t questioned the farcical set up and lack of planning (come on, the world is fucked financially they knew a club would go tits up sometime – oh, WAIT…….GRETNA! – ) and the unwritten lie that they never saw the R*ngers crisis coming – aye, the BILL WAS DELIVERED IN 2010, not last week via carrier pigeon – is just a smokescreen to hide the fact that the shilling is god and it doesn’t matter if it’s covered in the blood of the game.
No-one, i mean NO-ONE can’t say that this doesn’t PROVE that the Scottish game and those who run it don’t favour one club and the game is set up so that one club flourishes to the detriment of the greater good. Threats, bullying and being general carrots seemingly works!
The Go10 bleat, wail and generally just moan like toddlers about the lack of power they have. Yes, now…they have the chance to do something about it…..DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE instead they sing a sonnet of hypocrisy.
Constructive is the key word here mate. It’s far easier to peddle the “every club will collapse without the TV money” myth (which is a load of rubbish), than sit down and creatively think about how to generate new streams of revenue for the league.
The Go10 are simply being petty and narrow minded due to some twisted, out of date hatred of both Glasgow clubs. What they’ve always failed to see is that it’s not our fault that they struggle. It’s the setup of their club, their chairman, their board, marketing strategy, fan base.
I refer to to the death of Scottish football in in my next post. I don’t frame this in financial terms, but in terms of fair play and sportsmanship. Allow a Rangers newco back into the SPL and we’ll be the laughing stock of world football.
Just sent this to Celtic ticket office:
“As a season ticket holder at Celtic since the early nineties I believed I was watching a true sport where everyone competed on a level playing field.
It has become apparent over the last few months that this was, and indeed is, not the case.
The silence from my club regarding a Rangers newco entering the Scottish game in the top flight has alarmed me to the extent that I cannot renew my season ticket under the present circumstances.
I have been essentially paying to watch, what is in essence, a rigged competition.
I would be grateful if this email could be passed as far up the Celtic chain as possible as I am not sure that the club are aware of the strength of feeling within the support regarding this issue.
I personally will not put one more penny into the Scottish game until a satisfactory punishment has been delivered.
If, however, justice is done then I will gladly renew as I have done for almost the last two decades.
If anyone from Celtic wishes to contact me regarding this issue please do so on XXXX XXXXXX.”
I wonder if anyone will call!!!!!!
I respect that Lawwell has something to gain from keeping his cards close to his chest in this matter but, like you, I’d really like to hear the club’s official stance on all of this.
I’d have to think very carefully about renewing my CelticTV subscription next season if the rules of the game are subverted to allow a newco in and they miraculously survive.
Reagarding your email, I’ve previously been directed to Tony Hamilton as the upper tier regarding a complaint (granted it was about coverage of games out here in the US, more media related). But I gather he is someone that has some say/respect in upper levels of the club. Might be worth contacting him directly.
I’ve tweeted the ticket office and judging by their timeline hundreds are not renewing until this farce is sorted.
I’m working on something as well. An angle that all Celtic supporters groups haven’t touched on.
Old cynical me thinks they will keep postponing any decision until as many fans as possible renew.
If thousands across the country, from every club do not review and stand firm, then I think that the chairmen will have an even starker choice; alienate you own fans in favour of opposition fans.
We, as the fans of every club, should be talking to each other to bring as much pressure as possible on our own teams.
It might be worthwhile contacting clubs and asking them how much season tickets would have to rise to cover the cash shortfall.
Listening to the Dundee Utd chairman yesterday he said he did not know SKY or ESPN’s stance on the contract if Rangers were not in the SPL. Surely someone should be asking this question of Doncaster and getting him to go and ask.
This is part of the problem here. Everyone is operating in an information vacum; the SPL will not ask questions of SKY/ESPN, SPL are dragging their heals over the two contracts investigation hoping the issue will go away, the SFA are not telling us whether they can legally transfer a licence to a new club andindeed making no comment whatsoever.
These are the basic questions that must be asked and more importantly answered by the parties running and governing our game.
Hi Lord its one point worth mentioning is all this shannanigans is for nothing if Craig Whyte refuses as I expect him to hand over his shares. He will sell them (about 15-20m I guess) but will not just give them away he is not that sort of guy and is certainly not a rangers supporter so spl meetings on what might happen are pointless as he will liquidate and sell everything that is not nailed down… R.I.P. Rankers
I find it ironic that we are relying on Craig White to deliver the punishment to Rankers because the SFA / SPL look set to bottle it. Celtic supporter groups should be lobbying UEFA en masse to investigate this agenda tainted, interest conflicted, long running mess. The tax case is massive, but in football terms I think the ‘under the table’ contracts scandal is the real time bomb. Potentially clubs all over Europe (incliding Celtic) would be in a position to sue Rangers for loss of earnings.
This still has a long way to go, and I suspect the light at the end of the tunnel that that Govan flock are meekly being hearded towards is another high speed train. If anyone wants to see a tainted title this year look no further than ‘Sir’ David Murray.
@Kenny
I think you are missing the point here Kenny. The ‘under the table’ contracts issue will die with the old club if what is being proposed happens.
All the powers that be will simply say ‘well that was a different club and they no longer exist so we can’t do anything about it. We should move on from this……’ sweep, sweep.
The will not even bother to investigate it as the club will be dead.
How long have the SPL been investigating this issue and how long does it take to look at your paperwork and send an investigator to ask the right questions of the right people. They could get the list from Campbell Ogilvie or Martin Bain.
I predict this investigation will never see the light of day.
If they are not the same club they have no history at all so it becomes irrelevant. Start on 0.
Personally I think they should start on minus 6 titles.
Well well welll the spl/sfa have adjourned again (surprise surprise) as William Wallace once said you lot would argue anything cause ye canny even agree on the colour of SH**E
As the cut off date for renewing season tickets is May 18th they’re hoping fans fold and renew.
I won’t be until I see how this will play out.
I usually have to `do nothing` to renew. I haven`t received anything and I have done nothing. I would like to know when the payments are due and what they will be. Consumer rights? 🙂
When ‘Fat Sally’ took over from sleezy watty he likened it to ”taking the microphone from Frank Sinatra” Never imagined that it was because he would soon be singing…’and now the end is near and so I face the final curtain…’ Seriously, it suits the forces of all things ranjurrs to have a bit of anarchy around the place so they can claim that Scottish football is in turmoil and that we need THEM back into the SPL to get back to normality!
Keep your eye on the ball and keep the faith.
Hail, Hail!!