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The Compliance Officers Dilemma

For some time, nearly a year, in fact, the SFA Compliance Officer Tony MacGlennan, has been considering new -and old-evidence surrounding the pre liquidation events concerning Rangers.

He has yet to report, but thats because he is taking his time, sifting and weighing up statements and records in order to come to the correct conclusion and finally bring some sort of closure to what has been described as corruption, collusion or chicanery depending on who you listen to.

Oddly enough, no one outwith the SFA, no one with any sense, at least, has said that no investigation is necessary because the SFA are fine, upstanding chaps who do a difficult job for little reward.

Thats because they aren’t, and they don’t.

We have been made aware that Celtic have asked for an update, and they have been told that the work is still in progress.

But what exactly is MacGlennans remit ?

And could he be said to have an agenda of his own when he comes to make his report ? that is, to protect the SFA and its board at all costs ? Even above the reputation of its favourite club/company/basket case of assets ?

On March 14, we were reminded that Alasdair “Surrender, no ” Johnston has yet to be approved by the SFA as fit and proper to continue on the board at Ibrox…

From Andy coyle at STV news..

Johnston’s past as a member of the Rangers oldco board has led to his application being put on hold by the governing body, pending the outcome of an investigation into the Scottish FA’s handling of Rangers’ UEFA licence application in 2011.

The US-based Scot was appointed as chairman of Rangers on August 29, 2009 and was removed from his position on May 24, 2011, following Craig Whyte’s takeover. He had already criticised Whyte and said he would stand down at the end of the season.

Johnston was chairman when the club applied to participate in UEFA competition that year but there are questions surrounding Rangers’ tax obligations at that time and what was declared on their licence application.

UEFA rules state clubs applying to play in Europe should have “no payables overdue” to tax authorities, but do allow applications to progress if amounts are in dispute.

Rangers said at the time of their application in 2011 they had no overdue payables but that they were in dispute with HMRC over their liability from a Discounted Option Scheme, known as “the Wee Tax Case”, which was in use from 2000 to 2002.

However, in court testimony given during the Craig Whyte trial, Rangers and Murray Group directors stated the club knew the tax bill was overdue in November 2010, months before their UEFA licence application. 

A bit odd, that, when you look at the SFA Articles of Association, Section 10 part 2….

The Official Return shall include details of all officials, office-bearers, secretary, directors or members of the board of management or committee of such member, Team Officials, with their full designation, profession, business or occupation and full service address, and also, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Article 13, full details of the interest of such member or any official, office-bearer, secretary, director or member of the board of management or committee of such member and of its or his associates (as defined in Article 13.5) in any other member. The Board must be satisfied that any such person is fit and proper to hold such position within Association Football. The Board hereby reserves its discretion as to whether or not such a person is fit and proper, as aforesaid, after due consideration of all relevant facts which the Board has in its possession and knowledge, including the undernoted list which is acknowledged to be illustrative and not exhaustive:-

(a) he is bankrupt or has made any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally;

(b) he is under or is pending suspension imposed or confirmed by the Scottish FA;

(c) he is listed in the Official Return of another club in full membership;

(d) he is currently participating as a player of another member club or referee in Association Football;

(e) he is the subject of an endorsed Disclosure from Disclosure Scotland;

(f) he has been disqualified as a director pursuant to a disqualification order granted under the Company Directors’ Disqualification Act 1986 within the previous five years or was serving a disqualification as a director pursuant to such Act at any time within the previous five years;

(g) he has been convicted within the last 10 years of (i) an offence liable to imprisonment of two years or over, (ii) corruption or (iii) fraud; 

Dave King was accepted as Fit And Proper-there’s no actual test, just a nod, a wink and a handshake

(h) he has been suspended or expelled by a National Association from involvement in the administration of a club;

(i) he has been a director of a club in membership of any National Association within the 5-year period preceding such club having undergone an insolvency event; 

Paul Murray was on the board of Rangers when it entered liquidation and was winked off for the new club in 2015..

(j) he is currently under or is pending suspension imposed by or confirmed by the Scottish FA in accordance with the Anti-Doping Regulations.

All such persons (including the Team Officials) by allowing their details to be included on the Official Return or any amendment thereto, thereby agree to be bound by, comply with and be subject to these Articles and rules and regulations of the Scottish FA (as amended from time to time) whose decision on all matters shall be final and binding, subject to any appeals or arbitration procedure available in terms of or promulgated under these Articles, and the Official Returns and amendments thereto shall display prominently a notice to this effect. 

 

The fit and proper test is irrelevant, so why hold out on Johnston ?

Johnston was chairman when the club applied to participate in UEFA competition that year but there are questions surrounding Rangers’ tax obligations at that time and what was declared on their licence application. 

We now know that they should not have been issued with a licence, and we know that someone either deliberately lied to the SFA, or they decided to all lie together.

In a bed of corruption, for want of a better phrase.

MacGlennan has to decide which it was.

Does he throw his bosses under the bus, or does he blame Rangers ?

And if he blames Rangers where will he point the finger ?

Much easier to blame someone who hasn’t met their strict criteria on , er, fit and proper persons…

 

As time goes on, and the investigation is described as thorough, there is still the chance that MacGlennan will claim to have looked into everything, including new evidence, and found nothing, thus ensuring no one gets any dirt on their blazers, and the whole scandal can be swept under an increasingly lumpy carpet at Hampden.

However, one feels that if that were the case, the results would have been declared.

The delay can only be down to one thing, and thats that MacGlennan has found, shall we call them anomalies, and is considering how best to report them.

And, of course, who to blame.

Does he point the finger at Hampden, and name Campbell Ogilvie, or Stewart Regan, or Andrew Dickson ?

The evidence gathered by the Resolution 12 guys-and others-would point to this.

David Murray ? Will he be fingered ?

Image result for frankie howerd gif

Or will Alasdair Johnston, the only one the SFA have failed to recognise as fit and proper take the rap ?

Image result for alastair johnston rangers surrender no

Then everyone can breathe a sigh of relief and move on…

At least, thats how they’ll spin it.

Image result for resolution 12 Its not going away.

 

 

 

 

 

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D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

RALPH

As reminders and reviews go,this is first-class.

I’d be very surprised if the CO tried to sweep it under the carpet. I don’t think it’s possible,that was the SFA’s job-and they severely screwed up by kicking it upstairs instead of stamping it to death.

Makes you wonder why they felt forced to try another option,any option?

5 years ago

You have not included a c) None of the above option. Celtic only ask questions because of the guys who have brilliantly pursued this from the support. But I have absolutely no faith in the process and I am convinced the reason it is being kicked down the road is to allow them to get away with for next season. If they can delay it another 4 months they will be playing in Europe again with the full support of the SFA and Scottish football and may earn money which will keep them staggering on for another few months. We can talk about Celtic asking for a report but Celtic’s silence on this matter from beginning to end has been shocking. It has been worse than that. Celtic have even been making a joke about it with snide banners with one club since 1888 on it. Sorry but I don’t find any of this funny and don’t think being cheeky and having a snide dig at them is enough. But it seems to be for most supporters. And our board know this. Celtic should have been shouting about this cheating from day 1 and insisted on proper outside investigation. Think about what they would have done. I guarantee you that Celtic supporters would not be going to Hampden on Sunday as Celtic would probably still be in an amateur league and would have to have changed their name completely. Celtic Park would be a Sainsbury’s and our history would have ended. And when they win the league again (and they will because we have allowed them to stagger on and they are not going down again, admin yes, liquidation no, only then will a sizeable hunk of the Celtic support wake up and heads will roll inside Celtic Park. None of us should be going on Sunday. We should be refusing to pay them any money and the only protest sponsors and the SFA will understand is a financial protest. To attend is to recognise them. Don’t do it.

Auldheid
5 years ago
Reply to  john

John
Purely in the interest of balance have a read at this which was published in NotTheView based on comments on line including my own.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nMbRiIPpMAfPx0KTIFddlTwaGb_udF5F/view?usp=sharing

Res12 guys were unsighted on the Celtic letter of May 2012 to SFA cc to UEFA.

its appearance in Sept 2017 when it could have been shown to them in 2013 started the brain cells working and the article is the result, based on an exchange UEFA had with the SFA in 2011 and UEFA’s reluctance to go near the issue as explained by Traverso and Celtic’s reluctance to pass Res12 which asked them to approach UEFA.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you was a comment made way back in seeking answers.

Anyway read the article and you might be persuaded there is a lot more going on than meets the eye.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Auldheid

Exactly Auldheid our friends like John are desperate to blame Celtic for the sins of the SFA and Old Rangers. There has been quite a bit of follow up and questions. These things take time and I think we are getting close to a report being published.

5 years ago

Good response John (13/04/18 @ 12:29).

I thought the funniest part of that article was the paragraph stating that “Celtic have asked for an update”. Celtic are in on it and they have been from day one.

Never forget, Regan was Peter Lawwell’s recommendation to the SFA and was brought in from Cricketing obscurity as a friend of Lawwell’s.

The roll Celtic are playing in keeping that lot of cheating scum afloat has seriously peed me off big time. There should be folk in jail over all this and a certain Glasgow dive closed down.

I love Celtic and i’ve supported the team all my life, but i love sport & competition equally. What we’ve got here in this situation is nothing near proper sporting competition. And a load of corruption.

Even at the AGM a few years ago, when asked about the stripping of titles, Lawwell fricken laughed it off. I don’t find cheating and corruption funny in the slightest.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

Celtic are in on it? In on what Richard – what has Celtic done to be in on it? The culprits here are very likely to be Old Rangers and or the SFA who were staffed by old rangers people. Nothing to do with Celtic! It certainly affected Celtic and every other club too. This is a All clubs in Scotland issue not only a Celtic issue. Boycotting Celtic to punish the SFA ?? Sounds daft to me.

Macca
5 years ago

Wow! Tegan was a friend of Lawwell???? How did I miss that???k”

Mike
5 years ago

Tony McGlennan the Compliance Officer, “an EMPLOYEE whose responsibilities include, ensuring the company complies with its outside regulatory requirements and internal policies”.
Tony McGlennan is a Glasgow based lawyer who’s the C.O. of the SFA and his responsibilities is to determine which players or coaches and others should face disciplinary charges. He has conducted criminal litigations at all levels of the court structure, including the court of appeal and the supreme court. Incidentally he played football for years at an amateur level. A wee background on McGlennan.
It has taken by the Res.12 bhoys from 2013 to take us to this point, we in the main know not much about the boards attempts to get the right response from the SFA, we know that they made an enquiry to the SFFA. You can assume that they are relatively satisfied that due diligence is taking place. If the C.O. had found out that nothing undue had taken place, then we can assume that he has found some irregularities in the process. Will we get a diluted version of the irregularities or the full truth, can you expect Auldheid and his men to accept that, no chance, none what so ever. In 2016 the SFA stated that they would publish the document’s that they had confirming there was an agreed delay with HMRC approval for the WTC. this document was never ever produced, draw your own conclusions. How long is this going to take, its likely that all the season tickets will sold and some big event will take place like Harry and Megan’s wedding and the result published in a wee quiet portion of the papers, if it is published at all.

Auldheid
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Mike

“In 2016 the SFA stated that they would publish the document’s that they had confirming there was an agreed delay with HMRC approval for the WTC. this document was never ever produced, draw your own conclusions”

Maybe Darryl Broadfoot who sold that line to David Conn at the Guardian took it with him when he left SFA direct employ. That was after be briefed Grant Russell on the publishing of the Traverso letter.

D J Smyth
5 years ago

I know that Tony Mc Glennon has been working on Res 12 since Sept and many of us think that is quite a long time . However we have got to remember that our pesky referees haven’t read all their script & have sent numerous Rangers 2012 players off . Mr McGlennon has had to spend considerable time placating Rangers 2012 , thei Board ,Manager & players as well as the Main Stream Media in Scotland . This involves rescinding the red card & writing personal letters of apologies to all interested parties .
As this is almost a weekly occurrence , it is easy to understand how Tony McG needs considerable more time to complete his cover-up

Noelskytrot
5 years ago

Will the club who are now just a sheaf of paper in some filing cabimet in London have the titles stripped for their shady past? methinks not. It’s a disgrace that the Res12 folk and the other people who’ve been absolutely brilliant in exposing the cheats and liars and trying to achieve transparency and fairness for all involved in the game are going to get fucked over. I agree with the poster John, the way to hurt this mob is through boycotts etc by all clubs, but we now know thats dead. I’ll always give to our club but will never, ever line the parasites pockets, hence me watching the game at home. Theres too much money involved for any chance of a positive outcome imo

Auldheid
5 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Noelskytrot

To quote from Braveheart when he was noising up the opposition

” Well we didnae get dressed up fur nuthin.” 🙂

Noelskytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Auldheid

Auldheid, i’ve nothing but total admiration for you and the other Res12 folks persistance and hard graft over this and would be dancing if it went the way of fairness and justice for everyone involved in the game, even TRFC. I just get the impression it won’t end the way it should and I’m an individual that goes on the premise of using reason and logic, though some might disagree, but I just have a sneaky feeling we’ll get fucked over, again. Anyways, I wish you the best of luck with this and mind always wear yer best clobber when going into such a long drawn out battle.

portpower
5 years ago

The Aussieland government have employed Tony McGlennan to find those that have flead.

Morto
5 years ago

There is another possible outcome.
McGlennon could conclude his investigation and his employers decide they don’t like the outcome.
An excuse is found to move him on/promotion/better offer and a new CO comes in who will provide the outcome they want.
As a minimum it buys them another year.

A dreadlock for sale
5 years ago

To me,as a few people have stated,the reason this is being held back,and back etc! Is to give the hordes the money they need to see out the season. IF they finish second, £2.78million. And they(the S.F.A) are DESPERATE for a win for them on Sunday. On the subject of Celtic,or the CURRENT Board,who let’s not forget,will NOT Be there forever,they are ONLY the current Encumbebts ,but they REALLY need to grow a fkin pair,mobilise the Hibs and Aberdeen and Motherwell support,fk Hearts who let’s not forget don’t moan when they’re CHEATED out of a European spot,do they not NEED the money? I think I’ll go up and ask them for the big Cow in their “Superstore” since they don’t need it anymore.And go to the S.F.A acknowledge how much of a SHOCKING job they’ve done,give them a cake,and tell them they can fkin forget said support turning up at ANY S.F.A competition,as unfortunately those pricks hold all the licences for our players.But the Inaction so far by Celtic to do anything other than ask for a wee update on how things are going,is disgusting. They KNOW we’ll fill our s.t allocation again,and they’ve banked two seasons “champions league ” money, £60 million,give or take. The money from s.ts,sponsorship and match day revenue,the money from the sell on of big VIRGIL, probably about £8.2 million,and what have we got for that money,HAS the team been strengthend to European standards? No. We bring in Commper,plays against Morton then the following week,in the Glorious 3-2 game at Caste Greyskull,we had Boyata,as Commper was Not “game fit” but a guy who’s a bombs care and was out for 6 weeks WAS? NO.we seen that in the opening 2 minutes. I just hope that Brendan Improves his signings,when I looked at the team against Dundee,we ended up with the team our previous “manager” Ronnie had left,should THAT alone not set the alarm bells ringing for US,THE CELTIC SUPPORT?Are we ALWAYS just going to be happy with Scottish Dominance?Small picture. OR is this going to be the Window Brendan puts his stamp on the team and the board release the purse strings a little more and let’s him sign Paddy up,plus get rid of a LOT of that big squad. I mean Bitton has Dissappeard,Charly Musonda is “for next season” which means Paddy WON’T be here,and we have so many players out on loan. That squad needs trimmed,and a SOLID Back line, so a Right back is needed and Hendry and Ajer first choice pick. Anyway,for Sunday I WANT (But Brendan always tinkers Far to much) Bain,Lustig,Ajer,Tierney Brown,Ntcham,Armstrong,Roberts,Forrest,Griffiths and Dembele But what we will see is Gordon, Lustig,Ajer,Boyata,Tierney Brown,Armstrong,Rogic,Forrest,Edouard,Dembele. Fingers Crossed were celebrating come 2 o’clock Sunday.

BJF
5 years ago

I am not certain we will get the correct outcome to this but
I respect the Res 12 Bhoys and your article above, Ralph ( though only a little respect to you, no point in going overboard). Some people feel so strongly we should boycott games, blame Celtic, I mean blaming a victim, what’s the point in that? The world could easily drift into a world war this weekend, gassing children then ludicrously punishing those who were responsible by ….er bombing children, is bizarre, puts a different perspective in what’s important for some of us. I get it some people can’t look at it like that, we are all a bit different I guess.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

For God’s sake Ralph,stop moaning,boo hoo.Let’s all move on and buy those STs.The games a bogey and totally corrupt but who cares? Come on! Double Trebles,hotels,museums,fan zones.BR here for 10,cough….feckin Tims,never happy…..WorldClass…..some more Prozac and Guinness please TicToc…..

D J Smyth
5 years ago

BJ F Please don’t get carried away with Western Intelligence telling us babies & children were gassed . Now you know and I know that western Intelligence are as biased & as unfair as Scottish referees . Remember the intelligence given about weapons of mass destruction in Irag . These lies caused over a million to be murdered

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  D J Smyth

Western intelligence? There’s an oxymoron if you ever heard one. Like “Democratic Unionist”.

BJF
5 years ago

I have no way of knowing the facts about the gassing although the previous Assad gassing was pretty well documented so he has form. What worries me is how the various players will
use the invective, I mean having a World War over the assassination of an Austriam Archduke ( however tragic for him and his family) seems bizarre but it suited the players at the time. Trump is a nutter and Putin is happy to go along with the game to see what he can rewind from the 90s, crazy.

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

Trump’ll make sure everybody concerned suffers “bigly”. A feckin moron!

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

Celtic have approached this from a business perspective and not from an emotional one.
The fact of the matter is certain criteria have to be seen to be met before our Club starts flinging muck around in the hopie it might stick?
A much better approach is to keep our powder dry until the final decisions have been made by the SFA.
The Board are fully aware that the guys behind Res 12 (and wider fanbase) are watching their every move and are dissecting every paragraph as and when it happens.
I know it is annoying as fuck for us all that these things seem to take forever and a day to get a decision but unfortunately that is how it works in business and in law.
If the Board fail to do the right thing by the Support then and only then should the shite start hitting the Celtic fan.

Patience as always is the key.

Stevie D
5 years ago

Patience Charlie? I think this is coming up to the 3rd season I’ve been threatening no to renew my season ticket over inaction. Patience is bound to run out at some point and this might me it.

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

Be it no me it. Really getting disillusioned and pissed off.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

Understandable given the time frame Stevie.
You know that saying a watched kettle never boils?
Apply it to this shambles bud ie just get on with life until the day comes to really give it some to whoever actually deserves it.
Be that the SFA,SPFL ,CELTIC,LAWWELL or whoever.
Once all the facts are in place.
Not long to go now bud.
HH

Mike
5 years ago

If the C.O. tries to flim flam us and the board does nothing, the other scenario is that Auldheid,and his bhoys, Ralph and all the other bloggers collaborate with Joe 0′ Rourke the Celtic Supporters Assoc. The Celtic Trust mobilise the support and organise various actions to protest the conflicted. The CSA will no doubt be in touch with all the other supporters of every SPFL club and unite to force through the changes that are required to cleanse the Scottish game.
I am giving up my season ticket, I will not be renewing my season ticket until I see something is done, it will be pay as I go to games only. I will wait until some positive action is done. I will not attend any Hampdump game or Sevco game….. again…..

Honest Hoops
5 years ago

Great article Ralph, if and when CO discloses his findings and there is some form of cover up or indeed, a distortion of the truth, the next vital question to him is how exactly did he come to this conclusion and the process installed to underpin the findings and if he does not have it to hand then he is blatantly lying to assist the goat groomers…..next step UEFA….

Mike
5 years ago

If the truth the real truth is denied, if there is any possibility that the full facts are hidden, then there can only be one outcome.
The Celtic Supporters Association under Joe O’Rourke along with the Celtic Trust alert other clubs supporters about the real truth and together we ask questions or organise bhoycotts until they tell the real truth, resign and we get a total reorganisation of the SFA.
We have so much power if we are united, it will be time to show that power.

Phaco
5 years ago

Will they? Hh

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