Uilleam

I understand that Bielsa does not like to work with a large squad, which, nowadays, is probably a mistake.

I should like to see what Bielsa could do with a squad of better -top, top- players. Won't happen, though. Whither Leeds? Surely they must pull out all the stops to prise Postecoglou from out of Piggery Place. Or is the English Premiership not yet ready for the football revolution that is "Angeball"?

Breaking (from unimpeachable sources): Following ignominious dismissal from three (3Nr) European competitions on the spin, rasellik will now drop into the revived, renewed, refreshed and regenerated Jeux Sans Frontieres, or It's a Knockout, if you prefer, a show for which they will be seeded. This is UEFA pilot project to reward consistent, dismal, failure among clubs with an inflated sense of their own importance, and misunderstanding of their place in the great scheme of things. The competition will be broadcast exclusively by Moldovan TV. Be sure to tune in.

Thanks. Been fine, just digitally detoxing for a while.

Bassey is a monster, and is worth his weight in Gold fingers...

Morelos nicked the ball off the Dotmund guy, who fell down. No foul, no matter the angle.

They got it wrong, and it would be interesting to hear an explanation.

How that goal was disallowed is, and will remain, a mystery. One might speculate about which team UEFA wanted in the draw tomorrow.

6-4.....It was the best of times.... 1 - 5.....it was the worst of times. A Tale of No Mean City. Just great; just a great, and just, result.

I assume that he will have had a significant pay off. Imagine, therefore, the first line of the inevitable (auto)biography: “We were somewhere around Harthill, at the top of the brae, when the drugs began to take hold.”

First the Polis, then the Crown Office, now the BBC... Any other publicly funded organisations that they can target? I suppose it beats working. BBC targeted in multi-million pound damages action over Rangers doc that sparked failed fraud case By Martin Williams @Martin1WilliamsSenior News Reporter PREMIUM Paul Clark, David Whitehouse and David Grier 2 comments THE BBC are facing a multi-million-pound defamation action over a documentary that sparked a failed Rangers fraud investigation and led to malicious prosecutions. Three business turnaround experts from financial consultancy firm Duff and Phelps are expected to pursue the claim later this year which has been lying dormant for over six years. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/19851046.bbc-targeted-multi-million-pound-damages-action-rangers-doc-sparked-failed-fraud-case/

All roads lead to Rome.

It seems to me that it has outlived most, if not all, commercial usefulness. Moreover, was it not rasellik which went on record (OK, Twitter, but officially) to declare that it was 'not half of anything', and made, elsewhere, pointed reference to 'the Glasgow derby'?

I do believe that he would, and that, in all probability, he has.

"Compensation in Rangers case excessive, claims MP" MacAskill's eyes, finally, water. Compensation in Rangers case excessive, claims MP Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor Saturday January 15 2022, 12.01am, The Times Football https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/compensation-in-rangers-case-excessive-claims-mp-n9rq5r7h6 Compensation paid to business experts wrongly arrested in the botched Rangers fraud investigation was almost 70 times more generous than similar “malicious prosecution” cases in England, new research has revealed. David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, of Duff & Phelps, a global financial consultancy firm, were arrested in 2014 in relation to allegations of fraud linked to the Ibrox club’s financial collapse and subsequent sale. They were cleared of all charges. Whitehouse and Clark, both 56, received a settlement worth more than £24 million and an apology from James Wolffe QC, the lord advocate at the time, after the Crown Office admitted their prosecution was “malicious”. This included £10.5 million each in damages, plus legal costs of at least £3 million. Wolffe also admitted Charles Green, the former Rangers chief executive, and a former director, Imran Ahmad, should never have been prosecuted, with Green receiving more than £6 million in compensation plus legal costs. Research carried out by the House of Commons for Kenny MacAskill, the former Scottish justice secretary, found that comparable cases south of the border appeared not to pay nearly as much. It highlighted the case of Jonathan Rees, who was one of three men charged with the murder of a private investigator, who took action against the Metropolitan Police. Rees lost an appeal to increase his award of £155,000 after seeking damages for distress, humiliation, anxiety and loss of liberty as well as aggravated and exemplary damages. His co-accused Glenn Vian also received £155,000, while Garry Vian was paid £104,000 after they won their malicious prosecution action against the Met. MacAskill, now an MP for the Alba Party, said that the money paid out in the “white-collar” Rangers case also “dwarfs what’s paid to victims in Scotland whether in related matters or personal injury cases”. He called for an explanation of why so much was given to those in the Rangers case. “An extraordinary amount of public money has been paid out,” MacAskill said. “It seems significantly more than in cases south of the border.” Russell Findlay, Scottish Conservative community safety spokesman, said that an inquiry into the bungled Rangers investigation “must leave no stone unturned”. He added: “People deserve to know how these figures were calculated, why innocent men were hounded by the state and who is responsible for this costly debacle.” The Court of Session ruled this week that the police investigation into David Grier, 60, also of the consultancy firm, had been riven with “incompetence” and a “lack of professionalism” but he had not been prosecuted maliciously. He had launched a £9 million damages claim against Police Scotland and the lord advocate. He said he would appeal against the decision. Almost £40 million has so far been paid to settle claims made by businessmen who were arrested and faced “malicious prosecution”. The final cost to the taxpayer is expected to rise significantly, with Duff & Phelps seeking considerable redress for damage to its reputation. A public inquiry has been commissioned into the scandal. A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The damages paid in this case reflect the circumstances of the pursuers as high-earning individuals.”

"Prosecutors privately expressed a wish to “nail” the businessmen at the centre of the disgraced police investigation into the takeover of Rangers FC..." "Grier claims (this)......proves his arrest was motivated by ill will" Is that not what we wish the Procurators do do? Nail criminals in Court? The language, arguably, may be intemperate, but, really, is it evidence of anything more than a bit of macho posturing in the Crown Office? The really interesting question, of course, is what would have happened if these guys (D&P, Green, et al.) were actually found guilty of the fraud, etc. charges? The layman is tempted to speculate that successful prosecutions would have resulted in a massive legal and financial tangle, a Gordian knot which would have been tortuous to unpick and impossible to cut; and all to the absolute and utter detriment of Rangers. At best it would have delayed the renaissance, at worst.... Rangers prosecutors wanted to ‘nail’ Duff & Phelps businessmen Crown Office minutes ‘prove arrests were malicious’ Marc Horne Friday January 14 2022, 12.01am, The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rangers-prosecutors-wanted-to-nail-duff-amp-phelps-businessmen-2fz5kkbn3 Prosecutors privately expressed a wish to “nail” the businessmen at the centre of the disgraced police investigation into the takeover of Rangers FC, fuelling claims of a major miscarriage of justice. David Grier, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, of Duff & Phelps, a global financial consultancy firm, were arrested in 2014 in relation to allegations of fraud linked to the Ibrox club’s financial collapse and subsequent sale. They were cleared of all charges. Whitehouse, and Clark, both 56, received a settlement worth more than £24 million and an apology from the then lord advocate, James Wolffe QC. The Court of Session ruled on Tuesday that the police investigation into Grier, 60, had been riven with “incompetence” and a “lack of professionalism” but that he had not been prosecuted maliciously. Grier will now appeal against the decision after minutes from a Crown Office meeting in 2015 emerged which featured the phrase “Nail the three Duff & Phelps people”. Grier claims the document, which has been seen by The Times, proves his arrest was motivated by ill will. “If anyone in the street was to say that they wanted to ‘nail’ someone, wouldn’t that be judged as an act of malice?” he said. “It would be regarded, quite rightly, as an attempt to do harm. The only thing that has kept me going throughout this whole ordeal is the knowledge that the truth would come out eventually. “I will not give up and will now be appealing this judgment.” Details from the meeting between Crown Office lawyers and representatives of the forensic accountancy firm Aver were ordered to be handed over by Lord Bannatyne, who dismissed the criminal charges against Grier. Handwritten minutes confirm the reference to “nailing” the three Duff & Phelps employees was made at talks on September, 11, 2015, to establish the Crown’s instructions to Aver. One legal source close to the case claimed it was entirely improper. “It is absolutely scandalous and shows clear malice,” they said. “It is totally improper for an expert organisation to be given a brief to ‘nail the three Duff & Phelps people’ rather than to simply investigate and report back. “The way this prosecution was conducted should shame the Crown and the police. Those who broke the rules need to be removed”. Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservatives’ community safety spokesman, described the revelation as “deeply concerning”. “This evidence will doubtless feature in any planned appeal by Mr Grier and will also be of eventual interest to the public inquiry into this extraordinary and damaging scandal,” Findlay added. Grier launched an unsuccessful £9 million damages claim against Police Scotland and the lord advocate, insisting he was wrongfully arrested. In a lengthy written ruling Lord Tyre made no reference to the desire expressed by the Crown to “nail” Grier, Whitehouse and Clark. However, he found that Detective Chief Inspector Jim Robertson, who led the bungled fraud inquiry, had given evidence that was “patently untrue” and had acted in an “unacceptable, intimidatory and threatening” manner. Tyre also found that some evidence given by Detective Chief Inspector Jacqueline O’Neill, the second most senior officer on the case, was “untruthful”. Craig Whyte was cleared by a jury in 2017 after he was accused of using money coming from future season ticket sales to buy the club while claiming the funds were his Craig Whyte, who bought Rangers for £1 from David Murray in May 2011, was cleared after a seven-week trial in 2017. He had been accused of using money coming from future season ticket sales to buy the club while claiming the funds were his. Seven men were arrested in 2014, but Whyte was the only one whose case went before a jury. Almost £40 million has been paid to settle claims made by businessmen who were arrested and faced “malicious prosecution”. The final cost to the taxpayer is expected to rise significantly, with Duff & Phelps seeking considerable redress fo damage to its reputation. A public inquiry has been commissioned into the scandal. Both Robertson and O’Neill went on to be promoted by Police Scotland. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The judge in this case was satisfied the actions of prosecutors were not motivated by any purposes other than the pursuit of the interests of justice. The previous lord advocate committed the Crown to support a judge-led inquiry once all litigation is over and apologised for the cost to the public purse. “There are longstanding and robust processes in place to ensure the integrity of prosecutions. “We have strengthened these through case management panels which provide additional scrutiny and direction from senior prosecutors.” Comments for this article have been turned off

According to The Times, no longer a paper of record, mind, "A quick recap of Souttar’s tribulations: early in 2017 it was an achilles tendon rupture; in 2018 a hip injury; in 2019 an ankle issue; in 2020 another damaged achilles and then just two months after recovering, the same injury yet again." https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rangers-blackburn-rovers-or-sheffield-united-john-souttar-has-suitors-to-choose-from-c7vdtpq2h Overall, seems a bit of a punt. He hasn't, it seems, had a major knee injury; inevitably, that will change if he joins us.

"....a senior police officer.....acted in an “unacceptable, intimidatory and threatening” manner during the ill-fated investigation into the takeover of Rangers FC..." "There was evidence . . . of unacceptable, intimidatory and threatening behaviour..." I'll wager that worse happened when he took his Third Degree.... Jim Robertson: Police urged to tackle officer in ‘incompetent’ Rangers inquiry Marc Horne Thursday January 13 2022, 12.01am, The Times Detective Chief Inspector Jim Robertson, who led the fraud inquiry, was found by Lord Tyre to be “evasive and unreliable” https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jim-robertson-police-urged-to-tackle-officer-in-incompetent-rangers-inquiry-cl6x5n2mh Pressure is mounting for a senior police officer who acted in an “unacceptable, intimidatory and threatening” manner during the ill-fated investigation into the takeover of Rangers FC to face disciplinary action. David Grier, 58, a business consultant, launched a £9 million damages claim against Police Scotland and the lord advocate, insisting he was wrongfully arrested. This week the Court of Session ruled he had not been prosecuted maliciously but found the police investigation had been riven with “incompetence” and “lack of professionalism”. Lord Tyre found that Detective Chief Inspector Jim Robertson, who led the fraud inquiry, was “evasive and unreliable” and had given evidence that was “patently untrue”. In behaviour that has drawn comparisons to The Sweeney, the 1970s police drama, the ruling found Robertson bellowed “Shut up or I will put you out” at a solicitor during an interview and tore open an envelope containing documents protected by legal privilege. Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative spokesman on community safety, said the force must take action. “The judge’s comments about police conduct in this case are scathing and Police Scotland must now explain exactly what action it will take,” he said. “Police Scotland cannot kick this into the long grass until an inquiry reports — they have sufficient evidence to act immediately.” Jack Irvine, a crisis management executive who represents Charles Green, the former Rangers chief executive who last year accepted an out-of-court settlement of £6.4 million for being wrongly prosecuted in connection with the takeover, also called for Robertson to face sanctions. “I have rarely seen a serving police officer criticised in such terms by a judge,” he said. “His behaviour was like something out of The Sweeney and was a terrible reflection on Police Scotland.” Tyre noted that Robertson had to be ordered to answer his questions, adding: “At some times he professed lack of memory because of the passage of time, at others he demonstrated a detailed recollection of events when it was in his interest to do so. There was evidence, which I accept . . . of unacceptable, intimidatory and threatening behaviour by Mr Robertson. In other respects I found his evidence unsatisfactory.” In court Robertson confirmed the investigation into the Rangers administration case was codenamed Project William, which he said was a reference to William of Orange. He denied chanting The Billy Boys, a Rangers song with sectarian lyrics, but said he may have “referenced” it. Tyre also found that some evidence given by Detective Chief Inspector Jacqueline O’Neill, the second most senior officer on the case, was “untruthful”. Craig Whyte, who bought Rangers for £1 from David Murray in May 2011, was cleared after a seven-week trial in 2017. He had been accused of using money coming from future season ticket sales to buy the club while claiming the funds were his. Seven men were arrested in 2014, but Whyte was the only one whose case went before a jury. More than £30 million has been paid out to settle claims made by businessmen who were wrongfully arrested and faced “malicious prosecution” for their role in the Ibrox club’s financial collapse and subsequent sale. The final cost to the taxpayer is expected to rise significantly with Duff & Phelps, a global financial consultancy firm, seeking considerable redress for reputational damage sustained when employees were arrested without probable cause. An independent public inquiry has been commissioned into the scandal. Both Robertson and O’Neill went on to be promoted by Police Scotland. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Police Scotland will fully assist and engage with the inquiry announced in the Scottish parliament last year. “Lord Tyre’s judgment highlights serious issues and we are carefully considering his findings.” Comments for this article have been turned off

Ex-Rangers consultant David Grier loses damages claim against ‘incompetent’ Police Scotland officers James Mulholland Wednesday January 12 2022, 12.00am, The Times A businessman who was arrested during the Rangers fraud case has lost his £8.7 million action against police and the Crown Office for malicious prosecution. David Grier, 60, claimed his detention had ruined his reputation but the Court of Session ruled that while the police investigation had been riven with “incompetence” and “lack of professionalism” there was “reasonable and probable cause to indict” at the time of Grier’s arrest in 2014. In a written judgment Lord Tyre was heavily critical of senior officers. He said the evidence of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Robertson, who led the inquiry, was sometimes evasive and unreliable while his actions during the investigation were at times reprehensible and involved “unacceptable intimidatory and threatening behaviour”. Robertson mishandled documents which were protected by legal privilege, the court was told, and a witness in the case described how the detective appeared to chant football song lyrics during an interview, describing the behaviour as bizarre. Tyre also dismissed some of the evidence given by Detective Chief Inspector Jacqueline O’Neill, 47, as “untruthful”. The judgment is the latest twist in the long-running saga of the police investigation into the businessman Craig White’s takeover of Rangers FC in 2011 and its aftermath. The club’s assets were sold in 2012 to a consortium led by Charles Green, who went on to become Rangers’ chief executive. A series of arrests followed in 2014, but the Crown’s alleged fraud case slowly fell apart. Last year James Wolffe, then lord advocate, issued apologies to Green, the former Rangers director Imran Ahmad, and to David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, of the administrators Duff & Phelps, who were all wrongfully prosecuted. Green received a £6.4 million settlement, while Whitehouse and Clark have accepted £10.3 million each from the Crown with reportedly a further £3 million each to cover their legal costs. Grier was also an employee of Duff & Phelps when he was taken into custody. In court, he said that he had no idea why he was arrested, describing White’s deal as “a perfectly normal commercial transaction”. When he developed concerns following the conclusion of the sale he made them known to HM Revenue & Customs on several occasions, he said. His arrest had been disastrous for his business, he told the court. “Unfortunately being arrested for fraud when you work in financial services is catastrophic, it’s a career-ending moment,” Grier said. Tyre ruled that neither the police nor the prosecution service had acted maliciously. In a written judgment, he said: “Robertson’s reprehensible actings, including in particular his wilful disregard for legal professional privilege and his improper behaviour during interviews of witnesses, were largely driven by his groundless suspicion that the Duff & Phelps witnesses and their lawyers were deliberately obstructing the investigation.” He added: “It was emphasised by the court in Whitehouse v Lord Advocate that malice was not to be inferred from, among other things, incompetence, poor judgment, lack of professionalism or recklessness. “Much of the police investigation suffered from these faults but that is not enough to meet the test. No ‘illegitimate or oblique motive’ or deliberate misuse of the process of the court has been demonstrated.” Tyre said he was satisfied that those involved in the prosecution “were subjectively of the view that there was reasonable and probable cause to indict the pursuer for the offences with which he was charged”. He said their actions “were not motivated by any purpose other than the pursuit of the interests of justice”.

Ruling on Barry Bennell abuse at Manchester City FC ‘won’t affect Celtic Boys Club claims’ Marc Horne Wednesday January 12 2022, 12.00am, The Times Barry Bennell, a former youth football coach, is serving a 34-year sentence for abusing boys https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ruling-on-barry-bennell-abuse-at-manchester-city-fc-wont-affect-celtic-boys-club-claims-782wnq0rl The dismissal of a sexual abuse claim against Manchester City will have no impact on a multimillion-pound lawsuit being pursued against Celtic FC, a senior lawyer has said. On Monday eight men who were abused by the paedophile coach Barry Bennell lost their battle at the High Court in London for “substantial damages” from the English Premier League champions. Mr Justice Johnson ruled that the connection between the abuse and Bennell’s relationship with Manchester City was “insufficient to give rise to vicarious liability”. However, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, which is representing about 35 alleged victims of abuse at Celtic Boys Club (CBC), the feeder club of Celtic FC, says that the two cases are not directly comparable. “Factually and legally, the circumstances of the Manchester City case are very different to those in the cases we are pursuing against Celtic FC on behalf of those abused at CBC,” Patrick McGuire, a partner with the firm, said. “The clients that we represent can rest assured that we will continue to pursue our cases as fully and aggressively as we can. We hope for, and fully expect, a successful conclusion on their behalf.” The High Court was told that Bennell, who is serving a 34-year sentence after being convicted of abusing boys on five separate occasions, was a scout for City in the mid-1970s but not between 1979 and 1985 when the attacks occurred. McGuire expressed sympathy for the English survivors and hoped that their appeal would succeed, but said the court had been told that the feeder club Bennell was associated with had only a “loose connection” with City. “The evidence that Bennell gave was that any Manchester City strips or tracksuits that happened to be used, during that period, were obtained by him through deceit,” he said. “In sharp contrast, all equipment, strips and tracksuits used by CBC, featuring the Celtic logo, were not obtained by deceit but with the active help, support and financing of Celtic FC. The boys’ club was constantly referred to in matchday programmes, Celtic’s official magazine and in Celtic FC board minutes. This was not one tangential feeder team but a club which was held out, to parents, fans and the world at large, as being part of the Celtic family.” Dozens of alleged victims of molestation at CBC are poised to take part in a class action lawsuit under legal powers that have only recently come into use. In November, at a hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Lord Ericht agreed to allow the case to move to the next stage, which ensures that lawyers for Celtic FC will need to respond to the claims. Papers were formally served on Celtic late last year and a further preliminary hearing is expected to take place within months. Thompsons will set out evidence which it claims shows that the boys’ club and Celtic were linked financially and therefore legally. Six men associated with CBC, Celtic FC and Celtic East Youth Club, an Edinburgh-based feeder club, have been convicted of sexual offences against boys. Celtic FC has consistently argued the boys’ club was a “separate entity”. Last year a spokesman said: “The club is continuing to deal with these sensitive matters in conjunction with its advisers. “The club again expresses its sincere sympathy, regret and sorrow to those affected, and reiterates it will stand by its responsibilities, respecting the due process of law.” Comments for this article have been turned off

Lord Tyre has removed David Grier's snout from the public swill bucket. Seems a shame that the Crown did not admit liability for a 'malicious prosecution' in his case. What's £9M? Chump change from the back of Sturgeon's sofa. David Grier loses fight for damages over Rangers case Published 2 hours ago David Grier was charged in 2014 but eventually cleared along with a number of other men https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59953108 A business consultant who was arrested during the probe into Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers has lost a £9m damages action against the Crown Office and Police Scotland. David Grier was arrested in November 2014 but was later acquitted of all charges by a High Court judge Mr Grier said the arrest had been a "career ending moment". A judge at the Court of Session ruled Mr Grier had failed to prove he was the victim of a malicious prosecution. In total, seven people were arrested during the fraud investigation in 2014 but Craig Whyte was the only one whose case ever went before a jury. Mr Whyte was accused of using Rangers' own money to buy the club while claiming the funds were his. He was found not guilty in 2017. The Crown Office has already admitted that two employees of financial consultants Duff and Phelps - David Whitehouse and Paul Clark - were subjected to "malicious" prosecutions over their role in events at Rangers. Mr Whitehouse and Mr Clark were appointed administrators of the club in 2012. They have received damages from the Crown Office of £10.5m each and £3m in legal expenses. The current Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC apologised to both men in a statement in the Scottish Parliament. The Crown also admitted that there was a malicious prosecution against Charles Green, who led a consortium which took over Rangers in 2012. In August, Mr Green settled for £6.3m in compensation for being wrongfully prosecuted by the Crown Office. He also had his legal fees paid. In a judgment from the Court of Session on Tuesday, judge Lord Tyre said he recognised that comparisons could be drawn between his decision on Mr Grier, who also worked for Duff and Phelps, and the outcome of actions by Mr Whitehouse and Mr Clark. He said: "I do not regard it as appropriate to attempt to identify reasons why admissions of liability were made in those cases but no finding of liability is made in this case. "The admissions of liability were decisions taken by the Crown in the light of the factual circumstances as they were perceived." The judge said his task was to assess the evidence presented to the court in the claim before him.

"Mr Ashley, we must discuss this. Perhaps we could meet in our Embassy in Istanbul, where you will be well provided for. I'll send a jet."

Agreed. We need this guy to deal with players and their agents

Me neither, which narrows it down.