Celtic have a very limited timescale to act this morning- before the Scottish Government take action against Scottish football.
The action that Celtic take is made much easier bearing in mind the likely contribution, or non-contribution, that Boli Bolingoli and Leigh Griffiths can make to the season ahead.
Quite simply both players should be suspended while the club’s Human Resources department urgently investigate if the two contracts of employment can be terminated.
If the contracts can’t be terminated Peter Lawwell should be looking for a new Human Resources department.
BREAKING: Scottish Government could PAUSE resumption of football in wake of Boli Bolingoli and Aberdeen incidents https://t.co/Eeq6MLDwEI pic.twitter.com/pNI5WWgAD3
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) August 10, 2020
EXCLUSIVE: Celtic star Boli Bolingoli broke strict quarantine rules with secret trip to Spain before playing against Kilmarnockhttps://t.co/C0iG9zFilD pic.twitter.com/u0MW0ctDHi
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) August 10, 2020
Griffiths appears to have fallen foul of club discipline at various stages over the last two years, he appears to have been offered support but still has contempt for the rules. Arranging a surprise birthday party for his girlfriend might be a noble idea but from the evidence on Instagram it seems like Social Distancing rules weren’t much of a consideration. Without his Celtic wages his living conditions and ability to throw parties will drastically be scaled down.
Bolingoli is a far more serious and pressing issue.
After The Sun broke the story last night they got comment from the Scottish Government that they could pause the football season. That should be read as a coded warning to Lawwell to act ASAP.
Aberdeen have resorted to emotional videos from Dave Cormack and a sugar coated statement from Jonny, Michael, Sam, Craig, Bruce etc. Mindful of Cosgrove’s value they have stalled on taking proper action.
Celtic have a limited window to take action, certainly before 9am, preferably before 8am. Lawwell should have been working on it through the night.
Should Leigh Griffiths and Boli Bolingoli play again for Celtic?
No, get rid, totally unprofessional.
Yes, we all make mistakes, they deserve another chance.
In this case employment law can be put aside. Bolingoli and Griffiths can be suspended immediately alongside a statement that neither will play again for Celtic. HR and anyone else can then look into the most serious action that they can take.
If Celtic don’t appreciate the seriousness of these issues they will recognise the seriousness of Scottish Government action. A pre-emptive strike is needed.
It might not be possible to sack both players but they can be left out of the first team squad and told to report to Lennoxtown for solo training, any breach can result in fines.
In tandem with that course of action Lawwell should be examining what information the HR team has passed onto the players.
Bolingoli and the rest must have known that you can’t sneak off to Spain when given two days off.
A trip to London would have been legal but not the smartest idea. To go to Spain for two days in the sun requires a lot of thought, passing through four airport checks, filling in forms that leave you in no doubt about what is involved and the consequences.
Any supporter planning a trip to Spain knows that it comes with a fortnight in self-isolation, even as a ‘superstar’ footballer, as an elite sportsman Bolingoli has to comply with the same rules.
If Celtic’s HR department didn’t make that clear to each player the club has some more recruiting to do.
This morning isn’t time to fudge things. If very firm action isn’t taken everything that the club has done since March, buying two test machines, taking the players to Loughborough, arranging games in France is completely undermined.
Celtic is bigger than Bolingoli and Griffiths, life will certainly go on without them. If serious action is delayed the door will be left open for far more drastic action being announced from Holyrood leaving the season in tatters and everything that the club has built towards over the last nine years.