Those of you who read the Daily Mail will have noticed that reporter Stephen McGowan has drawn attention to yet another member of the SFA refereeing circle with a penchant for making social media posts that could be deemed offensive.
Stephen Brown made the comments on in 2014, and they were spotted, and duly reported to Stewart Regan , the then top man at the SFA, who in turn passed the complaint to John Fleming, head of refereeing after Hugh Dallas was removed , due to his , er, sectarian emails..
According to a drunk fellow i got yapping to in a bar..I really need to cut down on the drinking, there’s been a bit of a cover up…he showed me the email, and the response, and then filled me in on the circumstances..
Brown was taken out of the limelight, and not given any games for a few weeks, while the already tainted refereeing division quietly rode out the storm.
The Scottish FA shirked responsibility for Mr Brown continuing to progress through the ranks of Scottish Refereeing, with only last month he was promoted to the top grading of Scottish Refereeing – Category 1; by blaming an independent panel of issuing a censure on Mr Brown, thus leaving the Scottish FA hands tied;
Several sources have confirmed this not to be the case.
In between gulps of fine ale, our chap tells us what the Scottish FA are saying in that Stephen Brown underwent an “alleged” disciplinary with an “alleged” independent panel as part of the “Judicial Panel Protocol – JPP” for his posts on social media ie Facebook, are completely false!”
” Up until 2017 all disciplinary cases would have been dealt with in house by the Association that the Member was a Member with. That is what is part of your terms as a Member of your Association as laid down in each Association Constitution.
However, Stephen Brown was a Category 2 Development Referee at the time of being reported.
Thus making him a senior listed referee.
Cases of misconduct of a serious nature by senior listed referees would be dealt with exclusively by John Fleming Head of Referees.”
“
Anyone to be tried by the JPP a notice of complaint has to be served by the Compliance Officer, he/she is duty bound to investigate any complaints received, and if there is a case to answer, a notice of complaint is served and made public.”
“However, for the above to apply, John Fleming had to get the Legal department at the Scottish FA to draft a universal constitution for all 12 Refereeing Association to adopt. This was drafted late 2015 and after many legal challenges was adopted and confirmed by all 12 referee associations in 2017.
Now the constitutions have been adopted by all 12 Associations in Scotland, only minor offences are dealt in house with Referee Associations, more serious cases are referred to the Compliance Officer”
“Refereeing in Scotland is rife with gossip, and the revelation of Mr Brown came as a bolt out the blue, no one had any inclination regarding it.”
“My understanding is that Stewart Regan forwarded the email he received to John Fleming and Fleming informed Mr Brown to remove all his posts from his Facebook and to make it private.
Brown was removed from Refereeing duties in late 2014 for a period of 4 – 6 weeks, where the ScottishFA didn’t give him a referee appointment for his punishment.
Hardly a punishment, more a sort of gardening leave.
The suspicion appears to be that Brown falling on his sword now, probably to appear later in a different role, probably at UEFA if the Dallas precedent is to be used, or indeed, the Campbell Ogilvie one, who oversaw different crimes, then it’s certainly not the end for Brown.
When he quit, Ian Maxwell, the new guy at the SFA , said
it was “ clear that the historic baggage would make it impossible for Brown to take charge of matches involving or with implications for the Old Firm”
I am aware that that one post involved advising kids not to go to Celtic as the coaches there ” previous “, a thinly veiled reference to the historical child abuse cases that have been dealt with in the courts lately.
and if you know your history’ then nobody would let there kids anywhere near Celtic….. eh
Ryan, those celtic coaches have previous with the kids!!!! Sick gilly!
Just as well he never got to referee any of the clubs development matches then…
How much fucking longer do we have to put up with this shit from that organisation ?
Where are the people who are supposed to be defending the club ?
Lawwell has a duty to act in the interests of the shareholders …how can he possibly stand by and allow the authorities in the game to display this kind of disdain towards Celtic, and then proceed to cover it up ?
He’s allowed the SFA to cheat us out of money.
He’s seemingly ignoring the continuous defamation of the club and it’s employees by the members of an organisation that is supposed to govern the game without fear or favour.
Grow a pair, will you. Both of you, in fact.
At least of either of these two say something, the media, McGowan excepted, who has gained a lot of credibility on this story thus far, will be forced to cover it.
Even if, as suspected , they don’t want to.
Because it’s all linked.
Resolution 12, historic child abuse deflection to Celtic Boys Club as the only perpetrator, and several other instances of blatant anti Celtic discrimination are all down to the SFA and their way of running what they consider to be their own “feifdom “..
It’s time to put a stop to this , and don’t give me any of that crap about needing all the clubs onside.
It’s not them who are taking the hit.
It’s us.
And we need to start hitting back.
RALPH
Great stuff,mate. Man the barricades and tell the basturts in charge of the artillery to do their bloody job!!!
I had a meeting with Petrified Peter last year about issues similar to this.
He’s not interested in doing anything for Celtic, especially if it might have an impact on his wallet.
He better be careful as I reckon that supporters are now getting close to impacting something on his smug coupon!!
Putrid Petrie is not interested in anyone but himself. The chairman of the SFA licencing committee in 2011, even with two supporters on the board he positioned his deaf ear to the concerns of his own 13,000 Hibs supporters complaints regarding the Huns use of EBT.s WHY because he is up to his neck in the 5way agreement and all the rest of the pus dribbling out of the festering sore that is the SFA.
We know that Lawwell wrote to the SFA in 2012 complaining about the Huns use of EBT’s, we know that he wrote to them again in 2017 requesting a Judicial Revue. So what has happened to him since then, that he “blanks” Res.12 with its full on evidence of cheating. The secret 5way agreement introduced to “Lazareth” the Huns, started off with title stripping at its core and then became infected with a Hun virus that altered its whole tone, from atonement to Blankety Blank, exemption of any future cheating. This secret agreement is casting a dark stain on Scottish football, it must be removed if we are to cleanse the game. What happened to you Lawwell? why are you not fighting for our club? the evidence is on your desk, use it, or you will be another stain, bigger even because you are supposed to be, one of us…
I just wish Fergus was still around at Celtic. He would have ripped the cheats and bigots apart.
we must raise all of this at the AGM and not accept being fobbed off.
You can put the kettle on it and it wont come from the floor, like Res12 it will have locus and require answers.
This is what happens when a club becomes a brand. Decisions are taken based on brand impact/value (i.e.share price) and the whole humanity of the place is filleted, with smug PR types replacing authentic and respected club spokespeople. The fact that this has happened twice is a disgrace. But in a country giving grade 1 to a ref called Kevin is seen as inclusive.
Great piece Ralph but sadly nothing will happen. The Celtic Board will take their money not wanting to upset the gravy train and the fans will keep buying the ST’s and merchandise. Very few seem to care. This’s should be in the hands of lawyers and I mean those on the big retainers. Time to scare the shit out of the footballer Authorities. They’re full of it anyway.
Mike A
There was an attempt at Judicial Review of SFA handling of events in 2012/13 that ran into the sand.
Res12 was excluded from it despite it having more locus to strengthen the case.
So too were the consequence of non disclosure of HMRC letters to SPL lawyers on the Terms of Reference on which it proceeded.
Fortunately the feasibility worm was privately funded so no loss to individual contributors. Of course that also meant no complaints at result.
To go down any legal route that is solely dependent on crowd funding means those funding will have to accept the case for requesting funds is an honest and solid one but still might not get past the first post.
For now UEFA or the police are cost free, so avoid that up a garden path risk.
Any lottery winners out there.?
I would contribute £100 to the cause, and I am sure loads others would contribute. Our club are an embarrassment
Lawwell will do his usual.
Sod all.
If it’s a cheeky one liner you want, he’s your man but stand up for the club, take the club forward?
No chance. He’s been there far too long and it’s unhealthy.
And his pay? £3m for a shite comedian and even worse CEO?
Ralph,,
There’s good men such as yourself on the case rest assured.
Great writing and keep up the good work pal.
Respect and Hail Hail
Mahe
Is it time for the Green Brigade to lead the fight.Maxwell would shit. Himself if he was shown as a coward and collaborator.
That should read Lawwell.
Peter Lawwell really must be one of them. Nothing else makes sense to me. Res 12, referees, and bad transfer windows, and care i say it drove Rodgers out the door.
Lawwell should have been out years ago, Desmond the same!
What all of us need to remember is this is the time time to do something about the SFA,the way Celtic is treated is shameful, it is action that is required.
Let’s make a solid action from the start of next season to not attend a single away game in the league or cup competitions.
I hate the thought of a Celtic side plain at an away ground, with no Celtic fans there, normally i’d be against that, but i think it’s the ONLY action available that would have an impact!