The SPL and Sporting Integrity - by AMCKEL

[Zappa 0]

I'm posting this because of a very interesting discussion about Rangers in a 'newco' scenario in the comments section beneath the actual blog article. It's regarding SFA club license rules -

 

http://amckel.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/spl-and-sporting-integrity.html

 

Here's the article itself for anyone interested who doesn't click links to blogs -

 

Iâ??m sure we are all aware that the SPL have decided to hold a meeting to discuss proposed changes to their current rules and regulations, particularly those dealing with administration and the treatment of any Newco entry to their league. There has been quite a furore surrounding the latest revelation in the Rangersâ?? story with many fellow Bears justifiably enraged by the timing and content of these proposals

 

Before we examine the present situation, let me take you back to 2008 if I may. Under Walter Smith, Rangers were battling for four trophies, including the Uefa Cup. A harsh and uncompromising winter meant that many matches had to be postponed and due to our involvement in so many competitions, inevitably fixtures began to pile up.

 

In other countries the governing bodies of their respective nations often go out of their way to aid and assist their teams in Europe and Iâ??m not even talking about at the final or even semi-final stages of the competitions. Even in group stages teams request that their fixtures are moved to a suitable date and time to give them the best possible chance of getting a result which ultimately benefits their countryâ??s coefficient. This however is not the case in Scotland.

 

Rangers, under the extreme circumstances they were faced with, were forced to explore the possibility of having the season extended for it looked almost impossible for games to be scheduled within the initial dates that were set. Mr Lawwell, chief executive of Celtic Football Club, not surprisingly adopted a critical view of this. He ranted and raved about â??sporting integrityâ?? and of how the rules could not simply be changed midway through a season to benefit one team.

 

The SPL eventually decided that they would extend the season â?? by four days! Given that Rangers had fixtures coming out of their ears at this point this was hardly the result that they were hoping for however that unbelievably didnâ??t stop Lawwell again jumping on his high-horse and claiming that the integrity of the competition had been compromised. In reality though, he knew this was a victory for him.

 

I can still remember the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson condemning the SPL for their decision and that man tends to know a thing or two about football and competing in Europe. Even the manager of the opposition in the Uefa Cup Final, Dick Advocaat, slammed the nonsensical approach from the SPL and indeed the SFA in their failure to react to Rangersâ?? predicament. Their opinions however fell on deaf ears as Rangers were forced to drag their fatigued squad through a pile-up of matches that eventually proved too much in the race for the title.

 

As we are now fully aware, our teams are struggling to compete in Europe as we can no longer afford the type of players that were brought in during the early part of the last decade. Our clubs need all the help they can get in Europe and perhaps, just maybe, the SPL should shoulder some of the responsibility for the current state of Scottish football. Of course though, they wonâ??t.

 

Anyway, fast-forward to 2012 and the SPL seem to have rather changed their view on matters which concern sporting integrity. In my example above it seemed that rules simply shouldnâ??t or couldnâ??t be changed mid-season but yet here we are facing a hearing at the end of this month which could prove decisive in the immediate future of Rangers Football Club.

 

The SPL and SFA have rules currently in place to deal with the problems of clubs entering administration or even liquidation. Iâ??m assuming that these rules have been in existence for some time and there hasnâ??t been much of an issue with them. Well, not until Rangers became the unfortunate victim of financial mismanagement and entered the dreaded process themselves.

 

Suddenly it appears that the current rules are not severe enough. Apparently teams in our situation should be punished heavily, particularly if forced down the undesirable route of liquidation. Personally I find it to be wholly unacceptable for the SPL to even consider a rule change when one of its clubs are in the middle of a process which could see them facing the consequences of their proposed changes. Had these rules been changed at the start of the season then I donâ??t think there would have been many complaints. Should the SPL decide to change the rules following the outcome of Rangers problematic process then again I donâ??t think this would be an issue. To change the rules during a period when one of their clubs are already suffering however seems to be grossly inappropriate.

 

The timing is highly suspect. Rangers have been in administration since 14th February 2012, almost two months, and many predicted such a thing would happen long before then. The SPL seemingly sat back, watched and waited for Duff and Phelps to reach a crucial stage in selling the club before dropping their bombshell news a couple of days ago. Theyâ??ll want us to believe that the timing was simply coincidence however I am sure there are a number of Bears out there who are more than a little suspicious about this whole situation.

 

Iâ??d like to make it clear that I do not expect any favours or leniency simply because we are Rangers. I think we all accepted the statutory 10 point penalty that was given following our entry into administration without complaint as the rule has been in place for quite some time. We should be punished for the mismanagement that has gone on at the club and I think anyone denying that is frankly kidding themselves. That said, the punishments should be fair and justified but in my opinion the actions of the SPL have been quite the opposite.

 

Rangers have lost this league title due to the pitfalls of administration. Is it really fair to tie a clubsâ?? hands behind its back in future years because a creditor would not accept a CVA for example? If HMRC decide to be difficult in the negotiations and refuse a pence-in-the-pound agreement then Rangers may have no choice but to go down the long and painful route of liquidation. I am not sure the proposed punishments are entirely balanced and reflective of such a possibility.

 

It seems however that, as with much of the goings on this season, we can do nothing but sit back and wait for the outcome. I would however challenge the Rangers fans to consider their options in this difficult time. We contribute hugely to the SPL via their much needed TV deal with Sky and ESPN and through the sheer volume of supporters that we take to each and every ground throughout the season. Iâ??ve already heard of talks of a boycott and personally I will not be attending any away matches next season. Enough is enough.

 

Todayâ??s papers are already talking about the possibility, the advantages and disadvantages, and the effects of entering the SFL via the Third Division. This option has now become a lot more attractive given the actions of our governing bodies and I for one think it is worth considering. There are many complications, especially financially and in terms of retaining the playing squad, however at this stage it would be foolish to rule out any route that we may go down. I plan to discuss it further in my next blog.

 

In summary then I think it is fair to say that Mr Doncasterâ??s SPL has somewhat reversed their view and definition of sporting integrity. Strange also that both decisions on the subject seem to have gone again Rangers FC, coincidentally of course I am sure. Perhaps now really is the time to make a stand, to show the rest of Scottish football just how much it needs a strong and healthy Rangers. Weâ??ve sat on our hands for too long and allowed our enemies to line up and have a kick. Time to start fighting back.

 

More to come on this subject soon I am sure. Until then, letâ??s keep doing what we do best â?? supporting our club. No Surrender.

[Danny 0]

I'd read Andy's blogs if they weren't white text on black background, which just burns my eyes. As you lot told me off for a while back. Too many blogs look like his and just hurt. I did mention it to him a while back.

[Zappa 0]

I'd read Andy's blogs if they weren't white text on black background, which just burns my eyes. As you lot told me off for a while back. Too many blogs look like his and just hurt. I did mention it to him a while back.

 

Aye, it's torture on the eyes. I don't normally read his blogs, but I'm glad I read this one and continued down to read the comments because there's some explosive info regarding the SFA rules being discussed.

[GovanAllan 0]

Going by that it would seem in their rush to keep us down but just breathing, the left hand hasn't a clue what right hand is up to or even if what both hands are doing is legal.

[ian1964 10,870]

We need a QC Rangers fan to investigate the legality of such moves

[54andcounting 0]

We play in a 'wee' league of dross...No team outside the OF will ever win it now.

So when a giant within shows signs of injury and weakness as in Rangers case then the vultures will hover first then move in.

They are hovering just now....just hovering.

 

The Mhanks are moving in for the kill, the vultures are still hovering. Rangers remain wounded but have life, the vultures are waiting to pick at the pieces, they are looking to the Mhanks to finish us off, but the Mhanks try this and try that and still the Rangers have life.

 

When the Rangers are victorious the vultures and the Mhanks will scurry away and feed from 'The Masters' table once again.

[biggordy 0]

We need a QC Rangers fan to investigate the legality of such moves

 

AGREE! AGREE! AGREE!

Why are the Admins letting us be treated in this way ?????

[GovanAllan 0]

AGREE! AGREE! AGREE!

Why are the Admins letting us be treated in this way ?????

 

It slows everything up so they get more money.

[bluebear54 0]

The Admins safeguard the interests of creditors. There has been no one since administration, and arguably since CW took over, who has safeguarded the interests of the Club.

IMO what has been happening with the SFA and SPL - given that there has been no one to defend the interests of the Club - is nothing short of scandalous.

I really think that - after this is all over - we should go somewhere else. If it was the 3rd division, I'm sure that some kind of TV deal - or even a revamped RTV - is totally possible, given the level of our support. It would also be up to the support to remain in numbers at home and away games.

I've been thinking the SFA/SPL thing through for a long time try to take a balanced view. I'm convinced that this is not paranoia. The SFA/SPL are on a vendetta and it will not stop.

I stopped my ESPN/SKY package a couple of months back. I should have explained my reasoning to them then. I feel I might just write to them today to explain.

[GovanAllan 0]

The Admins safeguard the interests of creditors. There has been no one since administration, and arguably since CW took over, who has safeguarded the interests of the Club.

IMO what has been happening with the SFA and SPL - given that there has been no one to defend the interests of the Club - is nothing short of scandalous.

I really think that - after this is all over - we should go somewhere else. If it was the 3rd division, I'm sure that some kind of TV deal - or even a revamped RTV - is totally possible, given the level of our support. It would also be up to the support to remain in numbers at home and away games.

I've been thinking the SFA/SPL thing through for a long time try to take a balanced view. I'm convinced that this is not paranoia. The SFA/SPL are on a vendetta and it will not stop.

I stopped my ESPN/SKY package a couple of months back. I should have explained my reasoning to them then. I feel I might just write to them today to explain.

 

There's been no one safeguarding our interests for a long, long time BlueBear and i mean both from within and outwith Rangers Which is why we find ourselves in this mess at the moment, hopefully we can get somebody in charge who really cares about us the fans and the club we love and can put things right.

 

It's going to be a long hard fight but it's a fight worth taking.