In the first two parts, we looked at how Rangers were granted a licence to participate in the European Champions League in 2011.
In order to fully understand the role the SFA played in this, we have to first look a little more into their, er, unique style of governance. Their reluctance to answer questions on the licencing matter, and their stubborn refusal to explain their actions during this period has led to a general feeling amongst supporters that they have always been like this and we’ll never change it.
We might not be able to change it, after all, when Jim Farry was found out to be a cheat, they just replaced him with someone else who would carry on the traditions of the governing body, and his removal after a tenacious battle launched by Fergus McCann may ultimately have been only a pyrrhic victory.
When you’ve read these expalnantions Resolution 12, I hope you’ll see that the SFa needs to be broken up and a new body put in its place.
Here’s why….
The SFA simply do not feel that they HAVE to answer supporters’ questions no matter how strong the argument that they do so. They are answerable only to member clubs which explains their stubborn attitude to answering any questions from fans, supporters or, as in the Res12 case, supporters with a shareholding in a member club.
Let’s be clear here: it is the SFA, and their style of governance that is the issue. That it concerns Rangers is irrelevant. Had the SFA appeared to favour any club in this way, it’s still just as important they clarify their actions in matters of importance to supporters who are the life blood of the game.
Obtaining clarification itself, regardless of what it reveals, or who is implicated is what Res12 seeks, in order to send out a message
to the SFA (and SPFL) that their accountability does not stop at the Boardroom door of its members’ clubs but includes their supporters, the ultimate funders in Scotland of our game.
There are several matters requiring clarification regarding the processing of the RFC UEFA Licence application in 2011, in respect of both SFAactions and their motives.
Before that let’s look at the jurisdiction of SFA responsibilities.
It’s the SFA’s job to make sure that all the rules have been followed, and nobody is telling fibbers in order to get a shot at the millions of pounds up for grabs in the champions League.
Just so you know, this is how they describe themselves on the SFA website…
The Scottish FA exists to promote, foster and develop the game at all levels in this
country.
Founded in 1873, Scottish football’s governing body has recently undergone the most radical changes in its history, enabling us to lead the game into a new era. The launch of our strategic plan Scotland United: A 2020 Vision outlines the vision, values and goals that underpin the organisation and its many facets.
The plan encompasses four strategic pillars:
• Perform and Win
• Strong Quality Growth
• Better financial returns
• Respected and Trusted to Lead
The bit in bold is interesting, and we’re going to have a look at whether they’ve lived up to that particular objective with regard to the processing of the UEFA licence in a subsequent article next week given there is a lot to digest and digestive capacity may be overloaded elsewhere.
Over the next few days, we’re going to pause and reflect and what we have learned so far, and feel free to add any questions or observations that you feel are valid.
A Merry Christmas to all E Tims Readers.
We know the sfa are willing to run roughshod over the rules to benefit one club. What worries me is the lack of action from Celtic, the board revel and gloat about how much money this seasons CL has made us yet when the sfa/rangers have conned and cheated us out of, potentially, a similar amout there is silence from Celtic.
If the board are incapable or unwilling to stand up for the interests of the club then maybe its time to roll the dice and get a board that sees us as fans rather than customers.
Unfortunately that is exactly what you are Doc.
A paying customer albeit with an immense sense of loyalty to their “product”.
Celtic is a business now hasn’t been a “club” for a very long time now in the true sense of the word or indeed the original sense of the word back in the day when everyone could afford to go within reason?
These guys are only doing what any other business would have done at the time and that is looking after the business long term plan.
Celtic operates in a 5 year cycle and given it took 4 years for pretendy 2angers to resurface that plan (in the Boards mind) has worked.
Damage limitation for 4 years a bit of downsizing till they come back then a bit of Investment and get the ball rolling again.
Job done.
No harm done in their business minds either as we more or less broke even and sustained Dominance in the League.
The Res 12 guys are nothing more than an annoyance to them they will placate them to a point then fuck them off with roll of the dice in terms of Investment.
We have 6 in a row,Brendan Rodgers in,Champions League and players making us serious cash in transfers…what more can a fan want?
That’s the conversation they are having.
Too a point they are right.
However I don’t see this going away any time soon and a few hardcore fans might just walk away as a result?
Not too worry because a fresh faced fan will step in a pay for their seat and so it continues…
The Evening Times 2/6/2016. Quotes by Stewart Regan.
The SFA was right to let Rankers into Europe and Celtic fans can take it up with EUFA.He revealed that the SFA have been in touch with Celtic on Res 12.issue for the past 3 years.
The Scottish Fitba. Moniter.Quotes the Alex Thomson channel 4 interview 29th march 2012.
Why no independent enquiry into the Lord Nimmo Smith Commision
Why no effective fit and proper person scrutiny and the abstinence of real governance?
EBT!s and if they constitute wrong doing.
The McLeish Revue jan. 12 2011.
The Scottish F.A,leads the National Game with integrity and innovation to breed a culture of honesty and trust.
Ralphy!s Regardless of what it reveals,or who is implicated.Canny wait.
The Ipox noise, 15th jan. 2015.
Regan knows sweet F A.ask Neil Doncaster,two weeks ago he publicly said ” Rankers are the same club,as they always have been. It was settled by the Lord Nimmo Smith Commission.
But But haud on a minute, EUFA saiz it isny!!!.
Who,what is running the Scottish game,are they competent,are they honest do they have integrity?
UEFA who pit that up?
Correct me if I am wrong, but is Dave King not the Director of T.R.I.F.C.a company with NO affiliation to the S.F.A./S.P.F.L. , as such he is just a shareholder in The Rangers Football Club Ltd yet the Governing bodies have met and spoken to him on several occasions re football matters setting a precedence of talking to shareholders.
Seems to me that the other Scottish Clubs who have lost out on the Euro License decision should be backing the Celtic guys on this.
…………………..
Have any of the Continental Clubs been advised of the Cheating Rangers E.B.T. years when playing in Europe,when it comes to seeking Titles to be stripped there can be no let up. As should be the same with the LNS sham.I get the impression that a lot of people believe that inquiry to be a legal decision. it was not, it was a kangaroo panel set up to obtain the outcome which was decided before a panel was even formed.
Unfortunately those in power love the “establishment” club navies they are all supporters or ex officials. Secondly they are unable to have a vision of Scottish football without some version of Rangers because they think that is where the money comes from. On both counts they are messing up the rest of Scottish football in the name of trying to save it. We all
Must get used to the idea and reality of no further versions of Rangers – they are a busted flush and the sonner the rest. If Scottish football including Celtic get aggressive with this tinpot regime the better. How long will sevco be allowed to run on soft loans with no hope of payback ?
Ok, so I know this is unwelcome, but I filled out a questionnaire back when I lived in Hawaii for the SFA and you know what? They actually have taken every suggestion I made and put it into the one cup we already won. So although I am obviously beliggerently supportive of more openness regarding the Res 12 issue, and for the colluders to come forward and honestly provide their side of the story. I believe someone (possibly hand-cuffed to a radiator and kept addicted to drugs) is doing a good job in the SFA.
Probably just as well, post gone.
Fans at our home games should walk out on the 12 minute mark at half time.
We should also look ahead to the Scottish Cup final, assuming we make it and plan some form of protest.
Again, a walk-out on the 12th minute; or a massive protest outside the main entrance before the game. We need to ramp this up or shut up.
Let’s rock the SFA!!!
The first protest should come during the March game against that new club. The next should come by just not turning up for an easier Scottish cup game at home (if we leave they still get paid).
The thinking behind that is that any game against that new club will be heavily televised throughout the world because folks don’t know any better.
Then a lesser cup game preferably Kilmarnock (if they get there) because they also lost revenue due to the collussion and The Scottish Cup is the SFA’s.
Can we crowd-fund another ad in the same European newspaper outlining exaclty why the sfa (sweet fuck all) are corrupt and ask eufa to intervene?
And also add a postcript for the info of other European teams that if they play sevco in a qualifier, they should ask eufa to invstigate FFP irregularities.
Oh I like that last bit Oztim.
By doing the latter are you not conceding that this is the same entity as the one who were complicit in any wrong doing previously?
Too me that reeks of bitterness and desperation.
It’s the SFA who are the issue here not Bootleg Rangers.
TCSI,
You are right. This infatuation to avenge the excesses of Rangers (IL) or destroy “rangers” with Res12 not only blurs the issue but is way off course. Rangers (IL) is a mere the pawn in the game. The king we are trying to defeat does not have any association with Ibrox either in the past or in the present. The challenge is against the impostor kings reigning in the upper floors of Hampden, the SFA directly, and the SPFL indirectly, and no other organisation or club. While people continue to see this as an integral part of Res12, the Res12 guys’ valuable time and effort is wasted on trying to correct this misconception.
H H
I agree there seems to be some confusion that is muddying the waters here.
This needs to be kept on point otherwise you could well give these fuckers some wiggle room to get out of it claiming vendettas etc
Merry XMass auld yin lang may yer lum reek
HH
Unless the new entity is also broke and has a stadia falling apart.
That’s irrelevant Uralius the Newco has absolutely fuck all to do with the previous incumbent.
If they are running at a loss then that shite will hit that fan as and when the time comes.
So we wait until the new broke team get another License. Ok then…..
Separate issue let’s go off what has happened not what might happen.
I honestly don’t see us getting support from any of the other teams unless they believe it could happen to them in the future.
Uralius they see us as the ugly sisters no thanks in part to the Duopoly we have been dominating the game with for decades.
Their hatred for all things Rangers is no where near the levels of some within our own support hence why the calls too see justice being done are nowhere near as loud or as many as ours.
Rangers died let’s all slag the Newco and the diddies who follow follow it is about as far as they seem to be taking it?
You have to ask yourself how many teams have a realistic chance of competing in Europe in the first place?
Perhaps Aberdeen and Hearts at a push this season?
The other Clubs aren’t being denied anything as far as European money is concerned because they all get a wee slice if the team that wins achieves qualification for the Big money.
TBF some Aberdeen and Hearts fans are making noises.
Ralph,
I had intended reading this yesterday but other things (two ugly sisters to begin with and it just went downhill from there) got in the way.
First, thanks again for the simplification.
Sadly, the issues are far from simple or easy and the most difficult will be getting any of the football cliques, clubs and authorities, both national and international, to admit to anything. Their only concern is the protection of each other and their nice cushy positions. If they can continue to draw their inordinate salaries and enjoy their undeserved freebies and OTHER rewards, none of them will rock the boat. Nobody has the guts to tap the first domino for fear of being caught in the collapse. In my opinion, the only glimmer of hope is in a universal reaction from fans across Scotland, and further afield if at all possible. That does not look likely. The majority in Scotland seem to be happy to let sleeping dogs lie even if it means lazy rogues lying. As for European supporters and UEFA, what chance when we cannot even raise a glimmer of interest from our next-door neighbours, you know, the ones who wanted so much for us not to be independent and leave them on their own. If there was even a sniff of this suspected maladministration (let’s be reserved) over the border where I live, you would need a fallout shelter to hide from the flak from fans, officials and the media – perhaps, and I say only perhaps, even a hear, hear from a Tory government. I fear, till they find a replacement for the stolen oil, our Great Britain won’t give a monkey’s…. – mike will have the right word for it.
Despite this, I still believe we should continue to be a thorn in the SFA and SPFL flesh, even if it appears to be just a minor irritation at the moment. Perhaps for the time being, we should direct our main attack towards the silence and inactivity of our own club. The stance of our board is simply another side of the SFA coin. I no longer accept waiting for the right moment as a viable excuse.
I would expect you to be thoroughly frustrated, Ralph, but what you do to keep us informed and inspired about Res12 is crucial and always worthy of our thanks and appreciation.
H H
Excellent post Pensionerbhoy,as always you articulate precisely the problems associated with Res 12.
WILL the supporters take up the cudgel,only way that we will find out,is by asking them through the CSA.
What else can we do if no one really cares,if that is true then we accept the unacceptable.
We MUST try,for the sake of Scottish fitba.
H.H.
So I like to ponder all possibilities.
I have been mulling over a scenario where “rangers” are in a league position to qualify for European competition and the SFA give them a license. Suddenly AFC, Hearts, and Saint Johnstone demand answers and Celtic put their weight behind the demands. Could that be the right time?
That is one scenario,if we do not fight this injustice,another is to fight that injustice NOW to ensure that that possibility does not occur and that is the scenario that i desire.
One of the many benefits of the Res 12 issue was the fact that that episode of cheating was identified by the requisitioners,by doing so it highlighted,what many of us guessed at but could never prove.
That the SFA was corrupt and its cozy relationship with the mankies allowed them to gain entry to the C.L. by fraud.
We could say that it could have been any club,but that would be a lie,that cozy relationship,the SFA and its brothers,side by side in the corridors of power,whispering to each other,dinny say this,do that,nod,nod, wink.
Iantm highlighted the fact that this should have gone out to the CSA earlier and i agree with him,so ASAP before its not to late,we should consult them and other clubs,quickly to bring this right out into the open.
Well we need to decide quite frankly.
What I was alluding to in relation to my last Post was:
If Sevco obtain a uefa license and are found to be in breach of FFP rules, due to a protest by the team they played, wouldn’t that put the spotlight on the sfa for granting them said license?
I believe this would then open the door to revisit Resoltion 12
Posted my comment prematurely.
It is not meant as a vendetta against sevco. It could be worded along the lines of, ‘Will the SFA allow this to happen again?’
If no Scottish club takes the sfa to task over this, I believe a European club will.
We have to do something!!!!
Oztim67 is suffering from premature exclamation,but he does have a good point,i would prefer that we do something now,this is still a live issue,why wait for some other club to call this out,mount a campaign now.Otherwise we will not be able to look young supporters in the eye.
Thanks to the Requisitioners we have the evidence,do not wait any more.
I think this issue will split the Support if it carries on further.
The Board will keep the majority happy with further investment in the side and regular CL football.
It is only the hardcore who will ignore this and continue on.
I think they know this and are gambling on this being the case because I’m not being funny but qualification again next Season and they can afford to have a few thousand empty seats that will no doubt get filled by those who disappeared in the past 4 years?
The best protest I think will be to boycott the shitehole in Govan.
That is why we need the Celtic Supporters Association on board, Joe O Rourke its secretary would organize this.
Iantm kens him,he could ask him.
WHOOOHHOOOOOOO for the Ralphmaster,a thorn in the mankies een.