Scottish football fans organisation ‘Fans Without Scarves’ commissioned their own report regarding the granting of a UEFA licence to Rangers for season 2011-2012. Alongside a number of other shareholders, this report’s findings and a series of questions pertaining to those conclusions were sent to Celtic last month and a response to the issues raised requested.
Fans without Scarves pointed out the qualifications of the individual tasked with looking into the granting of the licence in their report. They said:
“The man asked to give his professional opinion on the matter has been a qualified accountant for around 18 years and has worked for such firms as PKF and BDO (Celtic’s previous and current auditors) and Grant Thornton (the auditors of Rangers Oldco). As well as his professional accountancy qualification he holds a Bachelor of Accountancy (with Honours) degree and a Diploma in International Financial Reporting and has written several published articles on accounting”.
His educated findings were sent in a 20 page document with 68 pages worth of appendices to Celtic.
Celtic have now responded – after a fashion – but haven’t answered the majority of questions raised and it’s not clear if they intend to return with further responses.
The crux of the questions revolved around Celtic being asked if they agreed with the report’s findings, and to send it on to the SFA and if they didn’t agree to please explain why not.
In their response it would appear Celtic have indeed taken the findings to the SFA without committing to whether they agreed with said findings. You may have seen Phil Mac Giolla Bhain has already written to the SFA and requested further clarification on the matter. Should he receive a response, Phil has confirmed he will make the reply public knowledge on his site.
Celtic however have taken a stance that they will not interfere with the governing body’s investigation as that investigation involves another member club.
As such anyone hoping Celtic’s strong statements this week regarding the Sky Sports Interview with Alfredo Morelos and its somewhat suspect translation, may be an awakening of a sense of justice or the growing of a backbone at boardroom level, that may stretch to revisiting the matter of Resolution 12 will be somewhat disappointed.
Celtic’s stance is consistent from that of the AGM in November last year.
“As the premier football club in Scotland, Celtic have made a consistent stand, over many years and covering many instances, for fairness and transparency to be at the heart of football governance.
“The Board of Celtic PLC considers that the best way to ensure that these principles are safeguarded is continued and constructive engagement with the Scottish FA, the SPFL, UEFA and fellow clubs.
“In respect of this particular issue, the Board engaged with the requisitioning shareholders over a significant period of time. The Board has further engaged, over the same period, with the relevant football authorities, according to their respective responsibilities. The matter currently sits with the Scottish FA. The Board does not consider it to be in the best interests of the Company to take the steps proposed by the resolution. The Board recommends that you vote against this resolution.”
It’s worth revisiting that statement as when replying to the report’s conclusions over half of the entirety of Celtic’s response it would appear was simply to re-issue those very words.
In fact it would appear the Club’s response in a private response to shareholders to the actual questions ran to approximately 130 words. A tired response and for now it would appear ignoring the vast majority of the contents of a report from a well qualified and experienced accountancy professional.
The response itself would appear to be disdainful. A child like ‘I’m bored of this now’ reply. What may have been an irritant in the past is now met with the equivalent attention span of a three year old moving from CBeebies to his toy garage and onto his colouring pens.
Absolving themselves of any part in this and ignoring the report’s many findings and subsequent questions is worrying. Particularly so when considering Auldheid’s revelations in his recent interview with Celtic blogger Larry Cafiero. Also conveniently brushed aside.
To pass the buck entirely to the SFA and respond to nothing else, with what appears a huffy shrug of the shoulders appears rather disrespectful. Something supporters have become accustomed to but a surprise response to a group of shareholders and a report produced by a professional in his field.
It is clear that Celtic are just not interested. Celtic are ignoring that they were the ones denied a licence by deception. Despite now having a report outlining in great detail that the SFA were at fault in this matter and as such the governing body cost the club many millions in lost Champions League revenue that they are happy to leave the matter with that same governing body. It truly beggars belief.
This is a football competition that has been bent to shape an opponent. Where is the self-respect to now call it out and ask questions, seek reform and protect the club’s position going forward?
Not only have Celtic been disadvantaged financially we are now open to the same thing happening again in the near future and apparently doing nothing about the past indiscretions or taking a position to protect ourselves in the future.
In a week of far more questions than answers. It appears that trend is continuing.
It really is no wonder our opponents felt emboldened enough to try the lost in translation con trick last week.
Niall J
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Fixture Info: If Sunday’s match was to be postponed the rescheduled date is Wednesday, Feb 12.
— Celtic FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) February 7, 2020
Read Larry Cafiero’s Tsunami-sized waves of falsehoods, only Michael Stewart has both the gravitas and the courage to tell the truth.
David Low and Auldheid challenge Roger Mitchell’s analysis on the current Fake News controversies surrounding the Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos.
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