Alex McLeish received a flat as part of his EBT agreement with Rangers the Upper Tier Tribunal heard today.
The former Ibrox boss was one of the major beneficiaries of the tax scheme that recruited the bulk of the players McLeish brought to Ibrox.
With thousands of pounds tucked away in off-shore accounts those in receipt of EBT’s were effectively paid gross with HMRC denied millions of pounds in PAYE and National Insurance.
The latest stage in the long running saga opened today in Edinburgh and was open to the public.
According to the report on STV website: “It emerged at Monday’s hearing that in addition to receiving cash via an EBT from Rangers, former manager Alex McLeish – referred to as Mr Violet in the initial determination – also had a flat bought for him by the trust.”
McLeish joined Rangers in December 2001 and left five years later after finishing third in the SPL behind Celtic and Hearts.
In May 2012 the BBC published a list of some of those that had benefited from the EBT scheme claiming that McLeish had been paid £1.7m.
Three months later McLeish was pressed on the matter and admitted: “I was at the club at the time and had lawyers who looked at the contracts and everything was okayed. It’s not something I’m particularly comfortable about discussing.
“There was no cloak and dagger stuff. My lawyer looked at it and it was the type of contract that you know that going to a club like Rangers or Celtic, you would be expecting.
“I reduced the wages by half, so I’m not guilty of bringing any players in at top prices. It was in my era at Rangers it was about the opposite – I was working with the club to reduce the costs and wages and at the same time keeping the competitive edge, which we did.”
Asked about David Murray’s motivations McLeish added: “David is a businessman, a succesful businessman, and he had a dream of Rangers winning the European Cup- he tried everything in his power to do that.”
The latest phase of the EBT appeal is likely to be concluded in mid March.
I think i can confidently say that we are the only people whose team will win the european cup in Scotland. Slap it up you!
This whole thing stinks to high heaven….the more you have…the more you get.
Now it might turn out that LEGALLY it was OK….WE shall see…
But MORALLY….?
Feckin’ disgrace…
I hope this appeal is upheld…and HMRC go after these parasites.
How exactly is McLeish allowed to make a reference to Celtic in this attempt of an excuse? Just another example of ‘whatabootery’.
As everyone knows, Celtic initially tried an EBT with one player only – Juninho -and by their own judgement chose to cease the practice.
It’s a poor show when such morally dubious people can tar others & be allowed to do so by the MSM.
This is the same clown who spouted off the gem that the Orcs “had over 100 years of unsurpassed dignity”. Another sleekit and morally corrupt individual.
“for every fiver that Celtic spend we’ll get a loan from quickquid”.
They are the cheating peepul.
“I reduced the wages by half, so I’m not guilty of bringing any players in at top prices. It was in my era at Rangers it was about the opposite – I was working with the club to reduce the costs and wages and at the same time keeping the competitive edge, which we did.”
The SFA should read this clear Admission from the Rangers Manager of the time, stating clearly that HE believed the actions gave them a “Competitive edge”.
There might be loads of flats on offer at Ibrox fairly soon, when even the crisis loans run out.
Lord Nimmo found them guilty and fined them £250000, despite having spend over 50 million they didn’t have. They also got to keep their cheated titles won during this period. Needless to say they didn’t bother paying the fine.
Hope its handled right this time !
Just a Hun who lied all the way to the Bank Scraw the lot off them hope they all rott in hell How long do we have to keep listing them Hail Hail JMJ
Minty’s financial doping is the BIGGEST
scandal to hit Scottish football.
Not only having the advantage of players
on GROSS pay.They also SAVED money, by
not paying HMRC,employer NI contributions.
If justice is served,the Appeal will reflect
this fraudulent doping.
I agree with you Peter an absolute disgrace. They may have managed to squirm out of it with the SFA, and the LNS enquiry, but hopefully HMRC will nail it with this tribunal. Regardless, they will be punished financially by Celtic for years to come
Andybhoy,
I agree re domestic domination.
10 in a row,should be an attainable ‘ goal ‘
We have to spend our money wisely.
2 quality players each season,can.take
care of the home front.
We have to be ready each.summer, for
CL qualifiers.The group stages are getting
more lucrative,year by year.
Moreso, in 2 years, when BT will put an
extra 8M into our pot, on qualifying.
The Champions route,to qualify,has been
made easier.However,Lawwell should not
take it for granted.
This is where he makes sure the quality of
our team is NOT comprimised in any way.
It will be a long long day before runners up, in our league,get a shot at CL qualification,due to scottish coefficient.
Even then, if it happens,group stage is near impossible,with non-champions route.
So,as you say Andybhoy,whoever wants to
put a challenge into us,will not have our
financial clout,even if they think money
grows on trees !!
Cheers HH
Just seen an article suggesting that Imran Ahmed’s lawyer will tomorrow (Tuesday) seek to ring fence £750k from Rangers claiming that they are trading insolvently!! If he wins the case they argue Rangers would not be able to pay him otherwise. Perhaps the £1.5m loan for, ahem, working capital, might come in handy here!!
It is astonishing what they have got away with to date, from a potential £150,000,000 overall debt, to the sfa & media peddling the same club myth!
Not forgetting LNS no sporting advantage gained nonsense, what has gone on at that rancid club is utterly contemptible!
Scotlands shame & a disgrace!
They are vermin!