After years of sneering and derision Internet Bampots had their day today as the SFA admitted that there is a case to be answered over the 2011 UEFA licence issued to Rangers.
Stewart Regan was barely questioned on the matter despite lots of public evidence that on 30 March 2011 the club from Ibrox were in receipt of a £2.8m tax demand from HMRC.
Alastair Johnston admitted to it while discussing the elephant in the room which was the bigger tax case due to remuneration disguised as EBT payments.
Craig Whyte’s £1 takeover was delayed as allowance was made for the overdue tax bill. UEFA regulations prohibit clubs with overdue social payables from competing in their competitions.
Rangers face Scottish FA charges over articles of association and a disciplinary rule https://t.co/n8f0tO3Dtb
— BBC Sportsound (@BBCSportsound) May 15, 2018
Journalism really is a cesspit.
It’s an occupation filled with people who think they’re the smarty pants in the room and that ‘the little people’ can’t see through what they are doing. https://t.co/F3gBjp1lw2— TheTributeAct (@TheTributeAct) May 15, 2018
Can the bbc get any more vague on years of fraud & cheating…..
Might as well have said ‘rangers* have been charged with something…. Oh look…. A squirrel…. https://t.co/RdZMIKPBiq
— Billybhoy (@billybhoy999) May 15, 2018
Stewart Regan knew what was coming
— Maxibhoy (@maxibhoy) May 15, 2018
Looking forward to lots of articles in the SMSM applauding the “obsessed / internet bampots” and wondering – “if they were right about this… ” … But we won’t hold our breath pic.twitter.com/sXeIPx90Ku
— ?CarlJungleBhoy? (@CarlJungleBhoy) May 15, 2018
@ClydeSSB clubs lost revenue owing to Rangers being granted a https://t.co/covGEokewm are talking about millions of pounds.What do you call falsifying information to obtain a financial gain ? Ask any solicitor.
— Bhoy Green (@GreenBhoy1967) May 15, 2018
Having seen RFC’s response it would appear RFC cleared of obtaining licence improperly but of making similar misleading statements in the monitoring period. The explanation why granting charge dropped by SFA not stated nor why breach of FFP in May not included.
— Auldheid (@Auldheid) May 15, 2018
Shame Regan isn’t still around although he should be called on to verify the assurances the SFA gave them.
Prediction?
Fuck all of any significance. pic.twitter.com/6cbM32QZLR— CelticResearch (@CelticResearch) May 15, 2018
While the SFA are dishing out charges, they can maybe explain why their Chief Executive felt it necessary to ASK Rangers FC to OK a statement absolving them of any issues around the Wee Tax Case AND to arrange a dinner with Campbell Ogilvie & Craig Whyte to discuss it further. pic.twitter.com/Rmvo2qjQd8
— CelticResearch (@CelticResearch) May 15, 2018
Bluntly, Rangers put signing Nikica Jelavic and James Beattie ahead of paying Her Majesty the tax owed for the scams used to pay Tore Andre Flo and Ronald de Boer.
That strategy paid off, they were nominated for the 2011/12 Champions League ahead of Celtic who paid Her Majesty on time. Only Ally McCoist’s managerial inability prevented the club from raking in £20m at the expense of Celtic and Malmo.
Had the SFA applied the rules Her Majesty would have been paid or Celtic would have played in the qualifiers, if successful other SPL clubs could have enjoyed a £300,000 pay out.
Regan dismissed rare questions about the issue claiming that the tax bill hadn’t crystallised.
Whyte’s trial last summer dismissed that argument, various witnesses discussed that tax bill being overdue, Rangers had been served with it in November 2010.
After almost nine months the SFA have served a Notice of Complaint on a new club who happen to have similar officials in Alastair Johnston, Dave King and Andrew Dickson. Paul Murray walked away 12 days ago.
It seems that the SFA have learned nothing. It is their officials and procedures that are in the dock, not the club from Ibrox or the men in brogues and blazers.
Having uncovered the evidence that Regan denied a token fine won’t kill the issue stone dead, it will convince more fans that the SFA have something to hide.
After chasing justice for seven years another year or two won’t put off those that have chased this issue.
New SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell has a massive issue to deal with next week when he takes office, it’s an issue that he can’t fail.
