The arrogant comments of Stewart Regan in a brief meeting with John Clark of the Scottish Football Monitor have confirmed the views of many fans that the Chief Executive of the SFA isn’t fit for purpose.
Unfortunately it appears that that view isn’t shared by any member club with criticism of Regan within the game as muted as the calls for Financial Fair Play or the introduction of transparency to the workings of those inside Hampden Park.
Regan’s failings are obvious to many supporters with social media highlighting the decisions that have harmed Scottish football which is increasingly seen as a secretive business driving towards one outcome.
A google search for for Stewart Regan and transparency ought to come up with a few gems, in April 2012 it didn’t require doorstepping a meeting with Edinburgh University to uncover the token interest shown in governing the game.
When asked what on Wednesday what he would do if he was presented with evidence of wrong doing in the 2011 license issue at the heart of the Resolution 12 debate the answer was short and sweet- nothing.
Much like the response to thousands singing sectarian songs on live televised matches.
In April 2012 Rangers (IL) were given a registration ban by Lord Nimmo Smith, yes him, after the multiple rule breaking during the 2011/12 season.
While other clubs deducted Income Tax and National Insurance from their players earnings, restricting the quality of player that they could sign, the Ibrox club ignored their social taxes in order to challenge for trophies.
Every club that faced them played at a handicap, every paying supporter cheated out of watching a ‘fair’ contest.
Rather than suspend the club Nimmo Smith went outside the riles to impose a registration ban, hardly appropriate for a club protected from their bills by administrators Duff and Phelps.
Explaining and justifying that watered down punishment which wasn’t included in the rules, Regan gave away some comments that confirmed the SFA’s interest in the success and survival of one particular club.
With the Ibrox fraud case about to re-open Regan admitted that the SFA had concerns about administration coming Rangers (IL) way four months ahead of the event- and one month after they stopped paying HMRC.
In an SFA statement the chief executive said: “We have documented evidence of our raising concern over Mr Whyte’s business practices to Collyer Bristow, from October last year until the week prior to the club entering administration. Since then, I have been involved in regular discussions with the club, the administrators, Duff and Phelps, and various interested parties, along with the Board, to provide guidance, support and information.
“Clearly, we are responsible for governing the game and have initiated, through an Independent Inquiry, parallel disciplinary proceedings.
“It is important the Scottish FA, as the governing body, works in association with the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League to reinvigorate the national sport.
“Rangers have been part of the fabric of Scottish football’s history and are integral to its future prosperity.
“The Scottish FA must act with integrity and with the best interests of the game at heart. It is with this in mind that we await any appeal from the club.”
Four months after granting the club a license it appears that Regan and the SFA were alarmed by the business practices of a club that is ‘part of the fabric of Scottish football and integral to it’s future prosperity.
Earlier in the same statement Regan had claimed: “I can fully understand the fear and frustration felt by all Rangers fans throughout the most difficult period in the club’s history.
“The Scottish FA has a responsibility to all its members and must implement its rules without fear or favour.”
With no member club appearing to challenge or question Regan or the SFA it seems that only a supporter rebellion similar to the shameful summer of 2012 will give Scottish football a sport delivered without fear or favour.
