Anyone holding out hope that UEFA was some sort of defender of sporting values were dealt a dose of reality today with the news that Neil Doncaster had been appointed onto the body that ensures Control, Ethics and Discipline.
Yes, that Neil Doncaster. The Chief Executive of the SPL that created a separate Disciplinary process for a new club in 2012 while the SPL punished a club that fielded ineligible players for more than a decade with a fine of £250,000.
Twice in the last decade Celtic have been involved in UEFA matches where opponents fielded ineligible players. Sion and Legia Warsaw had 3-0 defeats awarded against them, the rules were followed.
Neil Doncaster appointed to Uefa’s main disciplinary committeehttps://t.co/zEcLa7paq7
— BBC Sportsound (@BBCSportsound) June 18, 2020
Under the leadership of Doncaster the rules of Scottish football are open to negotiation. Albion Rovers can be expelled from a competition for fielding an ineligible player, Hearts are deducted two points for the same offence yet the old Rangers club held on to every result achieved while fielding players.
If Doncaster had an ounce of decency he would have resigned over the issue, instead he decided to stay on-board the gravy train with the full support of member clubs. No motion of no confidence has ever been called, Celtic and others seem quite happy to move on for the good of Scottish football with the same placemen in place to ensure similar outcomes.
His new appointment will ensure a pathway into European football, backed up by business class travel and perks across the continent
While he has handled the current crisis by applying the Rule Book that doesn’t excuse Doncaster from his critical role in 2012. Working round the clock to produce the Five Way Agreement will forever be his legacy, to the shame of all member clubs who nodded it through to create a two tier disciplinary set up in Scottish football.