[TABLE="width: 100%"] [TR] [TD]SPL Investigation Statement [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] On behalf of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, The Rangers Supporters Trust and The Rangers Supporters Association, we would like to make the following statement about the investigation into so called âdual-contractsâ by the SPL. âRangers fans are becoming increasingly concerned about the details emerging on the SPL investigation and tribunal being set up to deal with the allegation that so called âdual contractsâ were used by Rangers FC. As with other consequences of the mismanagement of the club in recent years, if there has been wrongdoing then we would be victims, too. We are asking for justice and fairness, but in discussing the stripping of titles, it appears the SPL has assumed guilt when nothing has yet been proved. There are a number of areas of concern that we would like addressed in the hope that the football authorities will now act with the necessary independence, transparency and integrity. Conflict of Interest - There would appear to be a serious conflict of interest in the choice of law firm appointed by the SPL to carry out their investigation. Harper MacLeod have acted for Celtic FC, who would be the main beneficiaries of any finding of guilt in the case. Indeed, until it was recently removed, they included a testimonial from Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell on their website. The SPL could have chosen any law firm to carry out this investigation and it was extremely naïve of them to appoint a firm with such a close connection to a rival club. Prejudicial Media Coverage - There is a concern that any tribunal appointed to rule on this matter will have been seriously prejudiced by the negative media coverage surrounding it. Several managers and chairmen of SPL clubs have attempted to prejudge the matter in the media over the past few months. This includes, but is not limited to, giving opinion on what the punishment should be. This has led to a media feeding frenzy which will have been difficult for any potential tribunal member to disregard. We want reassurance on the selection of the tribunal members and confidence in their impartiality. Focus on Most Severe Sanction - We are concerned that, despite the SPL having 18 sanctions available, the only punishment being discussed is the most serious yet no guilt has even been established. This, again, leads to a danger of exerting undue influence on the tribunal members through the media. We believe this is being driven by influential members of the SPL board and recently formed âsteering committeeâ with the most to gain. Focus on Rangers - We would question why there appears to be no on-going investigation into the so-called âJuninho EBTâ used by Celtic FC. Our understanding is that Celtic acknowledged that this was not declared to the football authorities as part of their licence application. If this is the case, then why is a tribunal not being set up to look into this? Did Harper McLeod, who include Celtic amongst their clients, investigate this matter as well? We wish clarity on whether there have been technical breaches at ANY SPL clubs over the past 10 years, with the progress of the investigation and the results being declared. We want justice and fairness for all. http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/ CQN's Succinct and accurate response: The Juninho EBT Posted on 6 August, 2012 by Paul67 I see several âfansâ groupsâ are engaged on the subject of our old friend, Juninho, who played around 13 games for Celtic eight years ago and benefited from an Employee Benefit Trust before and during his time at the club. Can you believe this is where their focus is? As Sir David Murray and a gaggle of his former directors will tell you, there is nothing illegal in EBTs, itâs the undeclared second contracts the football authorities have a problem with. Juninhoâs EBT was not subject to any contract or side letter whatsoever. Moreover, our then chairman, Brian Quinn, regarded EBTs with suspicion and instructed the club to declare Juninhoâs to the Revenue. Celtic even paid tax on money paid to the EBT. The SFA and SPL, and every journalist in Scotland interested in getting a story right, are fully aware of the facts. I suppose running with this beats looking at links between Green and Whyte. Keep up the good work, guys! And for the record, stripping titles is not the ultimate sanction, not by the length of Argyle St.
Paul McConville (taig with an agenda) has done a pretty cutting blog about that statement. What they've called a "conflict of interests" can't possibly be deemed as such. However, if HM were to look into "Juninhogate" (as the RST requests), this would be a conflict of interests (obviously). Also, Rangers get the power of veto over the individuals on the panel in the end, do they not? Soooooooo, Rangers can deem someone as being partial but everyone else cannot complain if the panel that acts on H&M's evidence is made up of Ogilvie, Ballantyne and (insert Hun's name here). This could well be my favourite episode of the whole debacle - funnier than Broon's "who buys the pies?", funnier, even than the mass regurgitation of a phrase which obviously showed that they didn't know the meaning of the word "incorporated". This statement has been lauded by bears on twitter It's just another step to being the country's favourite laughing stock.
Every day you think...this must be it... It's over... Isn't it...? But no... The stupid huns band together and say "whit aboot ra tims" A new laugh every day
But whitaboot <something Celtic done> ? Seems to be their defence for everything? And how is stripping Rangers FC of titles/silverwear, making Rangers fans "victims, too"?
The Rangers fans have great judgement though. Remember how they welcomed Duff & Phelps as court appointed administrators ahead of HMRC's choice? How did that work out for them?
T he former club known as Rangers were kept clear of any serious charges because they always had their men in key positions to ward off investigations. If it wasn't ex Rangers Directors or ex players it was people like George Peat who could not conceal his delight at Rangers scoring at Celtic Park. With friends like Rangers had, it was no wonder they did as wish for 140 years.
Oh come on, surely everyone knows by now that it was someone else's fault and not their own club doing it to...their own club! It reminds me of a kid putting a ball through a window and then telling his ma "A big boy did it then ran away again"
