Celtic challenge SFA over Nimmo Smith 'punishment'
During that period of fielding players that they couldn’t ordinarily afford the Ibrox side ‘clinched’ five titles denying Celtic the opportunity of enjoying the riches of the Champions League.
This season’s Celtic can expect to take in £20m plus from European football with the Nimmo Smith enquiry handing out a fine equivalent to less than £25,000 per season.
Tonight’s Celtic statement read: “We note yesterday´s decision that Rangers FC has been found guilty of contravening the SPL rules on disclosure of payments over 11 years between 2000-2011.
“The scale of this amounts to a deliberate non-disclosure of £47 million in payments to players and staff. We also note the penalty of £250,000 which has been imposed.
“Like many within Scottish football, including supporters and other observers, we are surprised by the parallel conclusion that no competitive advantage was gained from these arrangements.
“However, the implications of this verdict are for the Scottish football authorities to address since the rules breached were specifically intended to defend “sporting integrity”.
The Celtic statement added: “Our Club is in a great place at the moment and we are enjoying a fantastic season, maintaining our position at the top of Scottish football and enjoying huge success and profile across European football.
“We ask our fans to unite with us once again as we look ahead to the rest of the season, to the Scottish Cup on Saturday, to the UEFA Champions League next week and to an exciting future with a young squad of high quality players and a talented manager in Neil Lennon.
“Our fans have been magnificent this season, home and away, and as we head towards the end of the season, now, more than ever, we need our fans to be with us and to back the team and the Club. We sincerely thank our fans for their continued support.”
CLICK HERE for Shamed Ogilvie exposed by Nimmo Smith verdict
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