Celtic fans have been quick to dig into the past of Andrew Phillips who will become the Compliance Officer for the SFA on March 1.
Over the last few months that role has come in for criticism from Ibrox as a variety of referees let their players away with brutal attacks on opponents only for them to be dealt with retrospectively.
Rather than complain about the Compliance Officer the roles of Steven McLean, Kevin Clancy and David Munro should be a cause for concern.
The SFA were vary vague about Phillips’ football background when they announced his appointment but he did admit:
I have spent the majority of my legal career working in criminal and regulatory defence, so becoming Compliance Officer is a fantastic opportunity for me to combine my professional expertise with my passion for football.
I look forward to starting next month and working with the relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. I already have a knowledge and understanding of the Judicial Panel Protocol and disciplinary process and I’m extremely keen to meet with clubs, as well as colleagues at the Scottish FA, to foster a mutually respectful working relationship.
Among his likes on LinkedIn the former Glasgow University graduate has Chelsea Football Club and the Scottish Football Association.
Phillips will leave his present role with Glasgow based Jone Whyte Law.
We were delighted to assist Rangers and Colombian national team forward Alfredo Morelos & welcome him to our Head Office yesterday. pic.twitter.com/hTT584TH98
— Jones Whyte Law (@joneswhytelaw) November 5, 2019
One of his first tasks will be overseeing the UEFA licence applications for next season, ensuring that no club has broken Financial Fair Play rules in the hope of picking up Champions League prize money to pay off debts run up in the chase for footballing success.
Philips will be able to look back to the 2011/12 season as the benchmark on what not to do with the fingerprints of Stewart Regan, Andrew Dickson and Rod Petrie all over one club getting approved despite a very well known and unpaid tax bill.
The Celtic board have assured shareholders that the SFA will be held to account over that issue which could have cost the club £20m.
With that commitment and Petrie, Dickson and others lurking in the corridors of Hampden the Celtic board will be able to keep a keener eye on these issues that outgoing CEO Peter Lawwell.
Freemason Ian Maxwell who is CEO of @ScottishFA brings in his own brother in arms Freemason as SFA’s new compliance officer. “Scottish football is corrupt… ” @StanCollymore @alextomo https://t.co/VwU8r4Jig8 pic.twitter.com/QTOMJagL8w
— Michael McCahill ? (@MickMcCahill) February 17, 2021
Have @ScottishFA really tried to slip a @RangersFC season ticket holder in as the supposedly “impartial” compliance officer? pic.twitter.com/3uqgQt6EJ4
— Ronnie O’Connor? (@__lippylipez__) February 18, 2021
When is @CelticFC and other Clubs going to start speaking up over ex Season ticket holders Referees and now the New Compliance Officer who is an existing Season Ticket holder and goes on one of their Supporters Buses! Jesus Celtic grow some backbone for once and Speak up?
— D Mcguire (@DMcGCfc1888) February 17, 2021
Correct its all about making money. As much as i love Celtic i now realise that its not the same club i grew up supporting. All decisions at celtic are now made on a monetory basis. Its a business now not a passtime for the working to get away from the shite life we have.
— Hoops (@monrahoops) February 18, 2021