Menu Close

Regan Deflects Attention Away From Dickson

The latest salvo in the battle for proper governance in Scottish football was fired yesterday, when SFA chief Stewart Regan came out of hiding to address claims thats he’s up to his knees in corruption.

Described as a “no holds barred ” interview by the Daily Record, if you don’t count the lack of a series of pertinant questions, presumably, the full text was distributed amongst the mainstream media, with radio and television getting the latest from the Hamoden propaganda machine…

Q: What do you have to hide by refusing Celtic’s request, via the SPFL board and on behalf of all 42 league clubs, for an independent review?

S.R: The decision has been taken as a board and having considered all the facts on the table. Since 2011 the board have relied heavily on advice from four QCs and three law lords, supporting us on that journey. We also have two independent directors on our board. Independence has been at its heart and we feel there is enough belief around our board that the decisions have been made with the best interests of Scottish football at heart. 

My Q: Could you define exactly what you mean by the best interests of Scottish football ? Or are you confusing it with the best interests of the SFA ?

Q: So there’s no appetite in the game for a full review? 

S.R: Other than one, we haven’t had a single member asking for this to be undertaken. The fact we have put in place such an independent process since 2011, including independent directors on our board, has significantly moved on the decision making since before I came to Scotland when it was old fashioned committees.

We are in a very different place now. Four QC’s, three law lords, significant amount of financial and legal investment, scrutiny at every step of the way. We have got to the end of the process in our mind. We have made decisions on all the key areas and the one area we feel is still in need of further consideration is from comments made in the Craig Whyte trial relating to the (UEFA) licensing decision of 2011. That has been referred to the compliance officer and is now a live case. 

My Q : Surely the request from the SPFL, who act on behalf of the clubs, points to a desire for a review from the majority of clubs ?

Q: Do you suspect we will never draw a line under this?

S.R: It would be really difficult to convince those who believe in conspiracies there isn’t a conspiracy at play. My pushback to them is do we really think that four QCs, three law lords, all the club execs, all the independent panel members are all part of some huge conspiracy? We have spent too long looking through the rear view mirror and we’ve failed to look at the road ahead.

We have to be able to move on. We won’t get closure in the eyes of some parts of Scottish football – some fans, some stakeholders, won’t ever get closure.

This will be one of those topics that will be talked about for years to come. There isn’t a right or a wrong answer. It’s a judgment call and a group of guys around the boardroom table with independent legal scrutiny have come to the conclusion this is where we draw a line. 

My Q: You mention a conspiracy, and yet fail to understand the term. Surely you can recognise that the  desire for a review is based on testimonies to the Supreme court and statements given to the First Tier Tax Tribunal, one of which was made by Andrew dickson, who was involved centrally with the use of the EBT tax avoidance scheme ?

Dickson is still with the SFA. Are you covering for your pal ?

Q: How much has been spent on your legal fees?

S.R: Hundreds of thousands of pounds. 

My Q: Could that not have been avoided by employing staff who didn’t operate in such a way as to invoke legal proceedings ?

Q: Celtic figures would have been on SFA boards at the time decisions were taken in the past?

S.R: Our senior clubs have all been on the various committees and bodies that exist in Scottish football so they have been party to those decisions. And they have also been party to the improvements made. 

My Q : Why is it that senior clubs representatives were allowed to make decisions on matters when they were aware of rule breaches ?

For instance, insurance companies were told to include EBTs along with salaries when assessing player premiums..

Andrew Dickson explaining that he knew of EBTs..and he further explains how they were guaranteed earnings..

Dickson was instrumental in the SFA when it came to the crux of this matter. The granting of a licence to Rangers to play in the Champions League.

Not loans, apparently.

Even those which , as Dickson explained to the insurance company, were part of his salary.

At the FTT, HMRC asked dickson about side letters…

I don’t suppose anyone in the media wants to ask him about this ?

Well, not if Regan is turning this into a Celtic Rangers issue, which he continues to do in this “no holds barred ” interview..

Q: How many sit on the SFA board and was the decision not to grant an independent review carried by a majority vote or was it unanimous?

S.R: There are eight people on the board and seven were at the meeting. It works through collective responsibility. We don’t publish every decision or score or vote, that’s how boards work. 

My Q: Yet part of the remit of a review is for more transparency…why not publish ?

Q: Are there ramifications for Rangers newco if oldco found guilty of a breach with regards the UEFA license?

S.R: The range of sanctions could – I stress could – be linked with how the five-way agreement comes into play in the future. ( Record Sport understands part of the five way agreement was for Rangers newco to accept liability for issues arising under the jurisdiction of oldco as part of the transfer of SFA membership). 

My Q: This five way agreement. Why has it not been made public ?

Q: Celtic are asking why there is no review into the Big Tax Case when the SFA are willing to look at the Wee Tax Case?

S.R: We haven’t had any new information raised with us by member clubs. If they have new information or evidence they feels falls into our jurisdiction then we will deal with that. 

My Q: Leaving Celtic aside, which clearly you don’t want to do, why is there not a full and comprehensive investigation into the actions of the SFA surrounding the period in question, as requested by the SPFL ?

 Q: Are you surprised Celtic haven’t provoked their own investigation via the SPFL?

S.R: Celtic have the ability to do that through their own organisation, if they want to do so. 

My Q : The SPFL have asked for a review. Why have you not accepted this ?

Q: Celtic’s statement said that if there isn’t an inquiry, it would call into question the SFA’s accountability, transparency and leadership. How do you react?

S.R: We have listened to everybody. That’s not to diminish the points made by Celtic. I have a lot of respect for Peter (Lawwell) and I understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. He has a fiduciary duty to do what is the best interests of Celtic. 

My Q: Would you accept, therefore, that you, inyour role as  CEO of a private company, also have to act in the best interests of your company, which does not want its methods and motives held up to public scrutiny ?

Q: Is your relationship with him now damaged?

S.R: I have a great relationship with Peter. We actually sat at the Champions League draw while all these letters were being exchanged. He understands my position. I am acting in the best interests of the game. 

My Q: but surely the best interests of the game would be served by an independent review of all of those involved in the period in question, including their methods and motives ?

Q: Is this really all about title stripping?

S.R: I would actually say Celtic have gone to great lengths in their letters to emphasise it is not about title stripping, it is about process and learning. For some people out there, some stakeholders, groups, fans, maybe title stripping IS at the heart of it. But that matter has been discussed by the SPFL and a line has been drawn under it by the SPFL and they have moved on.

Our board’s opinion is we have had independence all the way. Are we going to have an independent review of an independent review? Where do you draw the line? It has been independent from day one. 

My Q: I would suggest that we could draw the line after the methods and motives of the SFA during the period in question have been publicly examined and explained. Would you not agree that where there is doubt we must have clarity in order to move forward ?

Q: Will it ever go away?

S.R: The word that’s been used, ‘closure’? I don’t think it is realistic, I don’t think it is something people will ever be happy with. There are those who want an outcome that can’t be delivered. We’ve gone as far as we can. 

My Q : Do you think that your reluctance to fully and openly investigate these matters is a reason why the public are concerned ? If you feel that people will never be happy with any outcome then have you not failed in your job to work for the good of the game ?

Q: Was any part of SFA’s board’s decision-making informed by what might happen if you granted a full review into Rangers EBTs? You can only assume they might want other historic issues addressed?

S.R: That’s not how boards work. Boards deal in facts and information and advice. We treat all our members in exactly the same way. You cannot consider ‘what if’? There are too many what ifs in Scottish football. You deal in the here and now. 

My Q : The here and now is that a number of clubs have a number of supporters who are not happy with the way the game is being run for a number of reasons. That’s not a what if. thats the here and now. do you feel you are letting them down by refusing to hold a review, which in the light of new evidence , is not only reccommended but esntial ?

Q: Is your claim to independence compromised by the position of Campbell Ogilvie as SFA president throughout much of this time?

S.R: Campbell made a very clear point of recusing himself from every single decision and discussion relating to Rangers. He stepped outside and wasn’t involved at any time. 

My Q : Could it not be argued that if he had knowledge of any rule breaches he had a duty to inform the SFA ?

Q: How much is this about Celtic, Rangers, EBTs and SFA and how much is this, in reality, a power struggle between the SFA and SPFL?

S.R: We could sit here and second guess the politics behind it. That’s not for me. My job is to try to drive the game forward and focus on all the positives we are dealing with and now allow the past to drag us back. 

My Q : Would you accept that it would be an awful lot easier if we just had one body, either the SFA or the SPFL, working to the best of their ability in the interest of clubs and supporters, instead of what has been described as an old boys network working for its own ends competing with the will of the clubs over every single issue ?

Q: All this must be wearying, will you consider walking away?

S.R: No. 

My Q : As we can now point to a voice from the fans and clubs  that at best questions your ability to do the job, what will you be doing to turn the tide of public opinion ?

Regan has come out swinging, there was little doubt he would.

In order to protect his cabal, including Andrew Dickson, who must surely be made to explain what he knew, when he knew it and in whose interests he was acting, Regan has tried to turn the issue into a Celtic Rangers story.

In fact, it is another chapter in the story of an institution that serves only itself and is now flailing its arms wildly in the hop it can drag someone else down with them.

It’s nearly over for him and his buddies.

Do not be distracted from the real issue, which is quite simply that the SFA is unfit to govern, and in a sense needs to show us why it should continue in its present form.

Close down the SFA, close down the SPFL.

Let them all apply for a position in a new national association.

Reading their CVs should be a laugh…

 

I leave you to consider this, a conversation between Rangers Tax Case, to whom i’m indebted for the clips in this piece, and Stewart Regan….

Five years ago, and he’s still not answering…

And Andrew Dickson ?

I’m sure he’d love the chance to put an end to all this tittle tattle.

Well, no one is asking him anything, but thats our media for you….

And I’m quite sure a few of their  London owners have noticed this…

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
28 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
mike
6 years ago

Ralphy I did post but but but O. Well done U.

Mike Annis
6 years ago

I hate to say it but Scottish football is finished. Well it can continue its corrupt way because no one is helping Celtic in this action to clear up the game. Fans groups have no power and are ignored by their Boards, except at Celtic. In fact those corrupt cheating bastards (sorry for he language but they get us so angry) are laughing at us. The media just print their guff with not a searching question asked. Nothing is changing, if we have to rely on fan power then it is up to fans groups to get organised and start the boycott, hard for me to ask as I no longer attend, but I see no other way which is why I think the game is fekn beyond saving. Hell even UEFA do nothing, but hardly surprising as they’re corrupt too.

ewanbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Annis

mike annis, keep the faith, the true will out….
its been a long time coming but we are on the 1 road, it maybe a long road but were together now so (sfa) beware…..north men, south men, comrades all, soon the cheating sfa will fall !!!

mike
6 years ago

Yes but they are all happy to accept their share of the C.L. cash and to bathe in the glow of the big gun’s who appear in Glasgow for the C.L. and the income that local business achieve due to same.
Our National Broadcaster and T.V. stations as well as the bum wraps who fill their chip pokes with stories, hypocritical cunts.
I would love to see each and everyone of them barred from Celtic Park and a mass abandonment from our support to all Scottish fitba. the power we have with the green pound, bhoy that would make them squeal.

6 years ago

It is my firm belief that Peter Lawwell and the Celtic Board have been playing the long game with Regan and the shysters who currently control Scottish Football.
Regan has twice now eluded to the fact he and Lawwell have a good working relationship outwith all that has transpired?
I get the image of the Mafia Boss sat around the table having a meal with his subordinates whilst holding a baseball bat between his knees all the while he’s laughing and joking with the twat who’s been skimming the takings sat alongside him unaware of what is about to happen?
Make no bones about it at the Champions League table Lawwell is the Don in this scenario and the EUFA license is the bat about to be wrapped around Regan’s napper.
We are talking about a Celtic CEO and former Accountant and who prides himself on running Celtic Fc as economically viable as is humanely possible who it transpires has been denied upwards of £20m in revenue at least by this cunt,his cronies and their actions.
I should imagine his blood has been simmering away nicely as he has read countless damaging remarks by his own support along the way?
Organisations like Celtic and men like Lawwell do not saunter into a situation like this unless they are fully briefed on the facts before hand.
He/the will have been privy to materials that even the likes of Phil and RTC haven’t I should imagine and certainly be fully aware (to the penny) how much revenue Celtic has actually been denied whilst the cheating entity at Ayebroke prospered.
I say prospered well in the short term at least anyway 😉

Deid.

Our Club has tended to conduct its business in private before sharing news with the general Celtic public this has been a trademark of how they have been running it for years and I believe the release of all correspondence between Celtic and the SFA is a sure sign our Club has poured over every inch of this fuckin debacle and believes there will be only one outcome at the end of it.
These guys know that if they don’t act now our game truly will be fucked forever.
We may as well sell the best talent and get back to the old set up of Institutionalised bias coupled with a corrupt duopoly of a new “Old Firm”.
Fuck that get the bat out Peter and get fucking swinging.

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

😉 That’s the one Desi

6 years ago

The fact that LAwwell is now speaking up has shocked me. I thought he wanted it to all go away ans we get back to the old ‘Old Firm’ bollocks. I am still not entirely convinced by him. However, he is actually being called out by Regan here. Regan implies he is a conspiracy theory bampot and I cannot imagine that Lawwell will take this lightly. i really hope his cage is suitably rattled and that he has his guns lined up because there is a mountain of evidnece that is public knowledge that will sink Regan and the dumpling Doncaster. The Rangers connection are already exposed as thieving corrupt liars. I really hope that Lawwell knows all of the amswers to the questions he is going to raise and has all the evidence he needs and, more importantly, that he has the guts and desire to use them. Make no mistake this is an imporatnt moment in Celtic’s history, handled correctly we can send a message to these cheats that they will never get away with thsi nonsense again and that their old boys , funny handshake network is finished.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

I find it weird that Regan categorically states Celtic are not really interested in title stripping?Regan has an excellent relationship with Peter?Thirdly,Celtic stated that all 42 SPFL clubs were interested in a review when one of them is the Sooside Tribute Act?….

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

Thank goodness you can read between the lines,I was beginning to wonder.Do you think it would be a good idea for Peter to come on to the pitch before tonight’s game and shout ‘Strip the titles and cups!’ I think we would need some new roofs…

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Weered,tried to reply on other thread,think the M man is hacking away.I would be happy with your prediction plus weather forecast is very poor for Parkhead tonight so hopefully their silky ball players will find things a trifle tricky.HH

charlie
6 years ago

great article ralph regan and his mobs day is coming

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Caption: I have a side letter that states from this day forth,anyone called Puggy shall win the caption competition.You can trust me,Mr.R.Egan esq…..

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Their is a force growing in Scottish Football, Stewart Milne, nothing to see move on, Rod Petrie likewise. The message coming from the Aberdeen and Hibs fans is clear, they want a review.
All these dicks are doing is delaying the outcome of years of deceit. Remember Fergus and Farry, The best solution is to threaten legal action.
The club should close its doors to the eedyots that write garbage about the team and its fans, starting with the Daily Wanker, then the rest. Also stop any advertising, nowadays social media is a better avenue
The fans should boycot all away games where clubs do not come out and raise concerns.
This was not about trophies for them(it was for the Orange knuckledraggers) it was pounds in their thieving pockets, so let’s hit them in their pockets. At the first Cup game ensure no
fans attend, that will make a clear point.

Now let’s get back to the big boys game, Tonight should be a draw, we might even win as they are an arrogant mob

mike
6 years ago

Tell the truth, expose their lies,
sing their songs,of poisoned lullaby’s,
lies and lies from the SFA ties,
our friends are many and very wise.

cheats are few, they seldom win,
excuses made, destined for the bin,
the simple truth is what we’re as’kin,
brassy necks coated in thick skin,
lies and lies enveloped in fulsome spin.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

To lighten matters,check out Paddy Powers hilarious visit to Liebrox on Celts Are Here….

John mcghee
6 years ago

LETS HURT THESE CLUBS THAT GO AGAINST CELTIC AND SEE IF THE CORRUPT SFA CAN HELP THEM THE WAY THEY HELP THE DEAD RFC AT LIEBROX WE HAVE the green pound and hope us celtic fans stick together on this and keep it in our pockets fuck the rest of they clubs that want to support corruptions and cheating its now time to boycott cup games and hampden away games lets just look after celtic and paradise honest its time for boycotting ive watched this corruption cheating for over 50 years just hope this is it and celtic fans have woke up and boycott all games except paradise..why should we pay into a corrupt game lets go for this boycott and stick to it..hail hail to the champions of Scotland GLASGOW CELTIC FC 1888…OUR DAY HAS COME 2012 LIQUIDATED RFC DEAD..HAFUCKINGHA SCUMHUN

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  John mcghee

Sounds like a good way forward….

mike
6 years ago

John’s reply mainly echoed my own initial post, the poor doo must have been shot just like the auldco DEED.

Cortes
6 years ago

The Groaning Man does its best for the “move along, folks, nothing to see here” for the Peepul. Used to be a decent paper.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/12/rangers-row-scottish-football-spl-spfl

6 years ago

Seriously who here thinks Celtic have gone into this without Legal advice and unprepared?
That’s what the likes of Regan are actually hoping for.

Fuckin clowns.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

I think the fact that Regan pointed out he was allowed to sit next to Peter and correspondence was exchanged during the C.L.draw shows that he knows where the power lies.He will do a Pilate and others will fall.There will be closure.How can a club still going through liquidation fight the facts that the club cheated?Who can stand up for them,surely not a basket of assets that is 5 years old.Celtic’s legal team would cruise through a judicial inquiry.

D'Fhinnein Mick
6 years ago

RALPH

RTC absolutely crucified him there. Softened him up,went for the jugular.

Unbelievable.

mike
6 years ago

How can you “move on”, when some of the peepil who invented and administered the EBT’s are still in situ.
Look at the “Rangers board” those same peepil are still there, look at the facts by telling lies and cheating they defrauded Celtic out of a C.L. place.
All the facts and nearly all the truth has come out, under oath in a court of law.
What has Regan got to hide, who is he protecting apart from himself, who are his masters, I think we know, that is how we will have a judicial review, no matter the cost, no matter the time it takes, to cleanse the game, like Regan and Dickson and Ogilvie.

TicToc
6 years ago

Afraid I didn’t get too far as my blood started to boil. Again. In this very Scottish conspiracy.
I’m sure Ralph has put something decent together for us. Again. Thank you, Ralph. I’ll look at it tomorrow hopefully.
I want to focus tonight on my team playing in the top tournament, probably in World football.
That shower of scum who currently represent the clubs of Scottish football will face the wrath they deserve in due course.
Come On You Bhoys In Green, get tore right intae them!
HH

rab wallace
6 years ago

Handed our Paris buns 0-5 at home, nothing more than a training run for them .Money can’t buy you love but it sure as fuck helps in the Champions League.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  rab wallace

BUT WEEL MAKE PROGRES ZOMBIE

rab wallace
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

I’m a tim Charlie have been all my life just saw it for what it was we were never in it.But few hours later life picks up & away we go again hail hail.

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet