A document has appeared on the internet looking suspiciously like the draft agreement of a deal between the SFA, SFA and Charles Green over the EBT controversy.
The 15 page document contains all of the statements revealed by The Sun on Saturday as the full extent of the cover up from the SFA and SPL emerged to assist Rangers/Sevco.
There is no mention of an author on the document but it would seem incredible if it was entirely a one way draft without any contact or involvement from Green.
The document discusses the loss of SPL titles as well as Scottish and League Cups during the 200-2011 period which Rangers are under investigation from HMRC.
While the issues are related there is a clear distinction between the HMRC case and the inquiry from the football authorities.
HMRC require to prove that EBT payments were contractual rather than discretionary, in football terms the SFA and SPL are looking for evidence that undisclosed payments were made to players outwith the contracts registered with the football authorities.
The football investigation gets murkier with the suggestion that the SFA and SPL were aware of the issue but chose not to take any action until after Rangers went into administration.
A simple comparison of the contracts held by the football authorities compared with the evidence compiled by HMRC should be enough to show up any discrepancies in payments.
The longer that the football authorities avoid the issue has allowed the suspicion to grow that they didn’t carry out their duties properly.
Prospective Rangers owner Bill Miller stated on April 20: “As a final step in the process, I have held a series of talks over the past week with officials from the SPL and SFA in an effort to ensure Rangers play in the 2012/13 season without further points deductions, fines or other punitive sanctions, relating to either the terms of my purchase or the actions of the prior administrations, beyond those levied during the 2011/12 season.
“My offer is contingent upon the regulatory bodies agreeing that the club will begin play in the 2012/13 season in the SPL and that they will do so without any loss of points and with all historic titles intact.
“I will not acquire the club unless I receive written assurances from both regulatory bodies to this effect.”
Three weeks later Miller dropped his interest in Rangers with Green appearing 48 hours later revealing that he had been in talks with administrators Duff & Phelps since February.
An SPL inquiry headed by Lord Nimmo will sit in November to investigate the case with Green taking no part and openly criticising the validity of any case being brought against Rangers.
Last week he said: “You need look no further than the initial draft of the five-way agreement. There is reference in that to EBTs and the outcome was stripping titles, but if I make a statement that the SPL is pursuing a predetermined outcome then I’m bringing the game into disrepute.
“From the moment that SPL status for Rangers was off the agenda, we’ve been heading for stripped titles.
“What I’m doing is using free speech to tell the fans exactly what has happened and I am now on disrepute charges for matters of fact.
“The words that seem to have upset the SFA so much are that ‘the SPL appoint the jury, set the outcome and set the punishment before the trial’ – those things are true and I stand by them.
“Whether or not the commission works to that agenda remains to be seen, but let’s be clear there was a predetermined outcome.
“If their chief Executive and lawyers were drafting agreements that contained definitions of titles that would be stripped in late June/early July long before a commission was even thought about, how can anyone say they are not pursuing an agenda and a predetermined outcome?
“I would ask the SFA and the SPL to release the first draft of the five-way agreement put together by their lawyers to reveal all of the sanctions. Stripping of titles was definitely within that document.
“In terms of this commission, if the SPL agenda prevails then Rangers will be found guilty and being found guilty we will lose five titles.”
Just days after Green asked for the release of the first draft of the five day document something suspiciously similar has found it’s way onto the internet.
While Rangers officials complain about being found guilty before any ‘trial’ the reality is much more cut and dried. If any players has received any payments outwith the contracts declared to the authorities they were ineligible to play in matches.
Any club found guilty of a registration error in the Scottish Cup is instantly punished, there is no precedent for a hearing in front of a Lord and QC in the rule books.
The long running saga, just like the illegal 12 month transfer ban imposed on Rangers last year, shows the lengths that the SFA and SPL will go to to assist the club.
CLICK HERE to view full document
CLICK HERE for SFA and SPL in EBT carve up
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As with most other offences, there are pre-determined penalties unless the accused can offer up sufficient evidence to prove otherwise – As Chico has already stated he won’t attend, hence he can’t supply any defence nor can messrs Murray, Whyte et al it suddenly becomes a kangaroo court LOL. Green / Sevco and the the now defunct club have the same rights to defend themselves as anyone if they choose not to then they can have no grounds for complaint.
Do they really want to keep titles / trophies won by CHEATING are they that desperate, bad enough that they get to keep the money stolen from lawful opponents surely.
Dignity they couldn’t spell the word.
I expect the SFA and SPL will use the title stripping to say it’s time to draw a line under this whole sordid afair.
At one I would have agreed with them, but now, I want to know just how many people are invovled in this and just how corrupt are our administrators: a man who recieved a £95,000 ‘gift’ from ragers is still president of the SFA. It’s laughable. Their arrogance is stunning. How many more people were given gifts?
As always, the establishment will try to protect the higher-ups, it’s the British way, no one at the top is ever responsible. But all the dirt must be dug up- and heads must roll.
Scottish football can’t be left to fester and die in the hands of these dishonest, corrupt clowns.
HMRC have found RFC(ia) guilty and issued a fine and a payment due. RFC(ia) contested and its now up to them to prove that the EBT scheme was managed and administered correctly. I think the Billy Dodds radio interview was pretty damming he was due an end of contract payment and it was paid through the EBT … thats not a loan or discretionary thats contractual..
Not implying BD did anything untoward he said he wasnt involved in the talks it was his agents…
Knowing the punishment before standing trial ain’t a crime or conspiracy neither is a plea bargaining deal.
I believe this EBT issue goes right to the heart of Scottish football and Main stream media in this country.
Unless this cancer is removed the Scottish game is finished.
Has Chuckie never heard the term “Found guilty in abstencia” I’ve been around courts a miniscual amount of time I guarantee that Chuckie has and I’ve heard those words
So,for all the hooha re “they are all against us” etc these documents demonstrate the extent our “esteemed” SFA et al will go to to favour RFC/Sevco.Disgraceful.This scandal of the SFA/SPL/MSM is one which needs maximum exposure irrespective of the Nimmo investigation outcome.Green has been very effective in creating a smokescreen of victimisation to hide the fact that the defunct Rangers were given support that no other club would have received and now,because the plan failed due in no small part to the opposition of fans of SPL clubs,he is barking mad at the effects of being in the 3rd div has on his business plan.As fans of Sevco are fond of saying “Scottish Football-corrupt to the core”.
“The words that seem to have upset the SFA so much are that ‘the SPL appoint the jury, set the outcome and set the punishment before the trial’ – those things are true and I stand by them.”
This is the problem C-Lo. Of course the SPL appoint the jury – who else is going to do it. Of course ‘a’ punishment is already set – everyone knows what happens when you field ineligible players.
Where he got it wrong is that they set the outcome. They quite rightly appointed an independent panel to decide the merits of the case so that their hands are clean and will abide by the decision. I’m sure there’s some high standing legal minds right now growling at this slight to their independence and integrity and the slant at them being implicit in some dirty dealing. Hope the points scored with the hordes was worth pi**ing off the judge on your case.
lads is it us that is doing walking away keevins on his high horse huns 45 000 celtic 41 000 what is the reason are prices to high or what the board must act ano there tickets are cheaper
Of course the soap dodgers tickets are cheaper. They are a 3rd division mid table mob, we are cl best team in the country. And only people as thick as them dont know the medias game, bump up the scumco attendances and lower ours to make them look better. Nobody is interested in any of them. There is only celtic
cheers for your reply tomorrow night we should turn out in force, it’s only 12 pound a ticket get all the kids to go and cheer the bhoys on, can’t wait looking forward to the game hail hail
Ticket prices have been to dear for years in the s p l every year the crowds go down all the chairmen are getting like sevco fans head in the sand on this issue. every stadium will have to shift to £15 adult kids £8 policy that will bring back the crowds and the games would be more enjoyable . also the pre match entertainment is shocking at Celtic park lets get the bars restuarants and fans zone built lets say goodbye to the pie and bovril . Lots of cash to be made in these ventures
surely this is an indication of the review panels evidence that the rankers have violated spl rules with second contracts for players and in turn leaves them wide open for a HMRC beasting…. good times ahead! well, this depends if your a rangers fan or NOT!