ian1964

Henry McLeish is satisfied that significant progress has been made regarding his recommendations to reform Scottish football. "More progress has been made in the last six months than in the last 60 years," said former First Minister. "In both reports 103 recommendations were made and they are now being implemented in one way or another. "It's a major step forward for a game experiencing major challenges. There has been significant progress." The results of McLeish's report, commissioned in 2009 and presented last year, were unanimously approved at the Scottish Football Association's annual general meeting six months ago. Continue reading the main story We are moving in the right direction. The message today is that tremendous progress is being made Henry McLeish "The SFA realised something significant and substantial had to be done," said McLeish, six months on from that vote," said McLeish. Of those 103 recommendations, McLeish said that 27 have been completed, 71 are in progress, and five have yet to be started. However, he stressed that the full benefits of his changes may not be apparent for some time, but that the game in Scotland should see tangible results in three or four years. "We are building for the long term. That's the sensible way for Scotland to move," said McLeish. "We are moving in the right direction. The message today is that tremendous progress is being made. "We are exceeding expectations from when I took this on. It's not just a short-term response to the report but long-term rebuilding. "If we are going to make changes we have to get it right." McLeish was heavily critical of the SFA in his report, saying that the organisation "lacks coherence, focus and a sense of overall purpose, is ill-equipped to deal with current problems and has failed to plan effectively for the future." He also recommended that the three authorities - SFA, Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League - should look to streamline, and that the SPL be reduced to 10 teams. Another key point was that the SFA and government had to find £500m to solve what he described as a "crisis" in the Scottish game in terms of facilities and infrastructure. BEEB

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2011/12/sfa-lawyer-lunnys-lack-of-logic.html

WEST BROM WANT TO BAG JELAVIC IN PLAYER-CASH DEAL WEST BROM are ready to test Rangers’ resolve with a player-plus-cash bid for Ibrox hitman Nikica Jelavic. Baggies boss Roy Hodgson has run the rule over Croatian star Jelavic and is now pondering a January swoop. It’s understood Scotland cap Graham Dorrans could be included in the package along with a cash sum in a bid to come close to meeting Rangers’ £9 million valuation of the striker. Boss Ally McCoist and owner Craig Whyte have gone on record to state their desire to keep Jelavic at Ibrox. Jelavic was the subject of intense transfer speculation in the final days of the August window, but opted to stay at Ibrox after Leicester City and Turkish clubs made it clear they wanted to lure him away from the current League leaders. However, McCoist is bracing himself for a flurry of fresh bids in January for his top asset and knows that finances might dictate what happens in the transfer window. If Rangers did decide to cash in on the former Rapid Vienna hitman then they would prefer a straight cash deal.McCoist though would have to try and replace the Croatian if the board decided to sell and a player plus cash deal would suit him better in difficult circumstances. Rangers are already thin on the ground in attack with Steven Naismith out for the season and Kyle Lafferty prone to niggling injuries. Dorrans was bought by West Brom for just £100,000 in 2008. Last year the Midlands club snubbed a £7 million bid from West Ham for the former Livingston man. However, Dorrans has been on the fringes of the team this season starting just seven of the Baggies’ 14 Premiership games. West Brom spies watched Jelavic score his 12th goal of the season against Dunfermline on Saturday. The Croatian had a quiet game, but his record and pedigree in Europe and at international level makes him a prime target for clubs in England who know the Scottish market offers them better value for money. Leicester City will also come back for Jelavic in January despite Sven Goran Eriksson being replaced in the manager’s hotseat by Nigel Pearson. But West Brom offer an immediate Premiership option for Jelavic and Rangers know they will have a huge decision to make when the window opens on January 1. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/288302/West-Brom-want-to-bag-Jelavic-in-player-cash-deal

Hooper diving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlhxATivwI8 Paul Lambert Dive - 19th Sep 2000 2min 30 sec

Does Aluko get a 3 game ban if he loses the appeal?

I put it up on FF

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Caledonia_1971/?action=view&current=11188ib.gif http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/Caledonia_1971/?action=view&current=9qbjtijpg.gif

John Fleck vs Diving Cheat Kayal Allan McGregor penalty save vs Samaras http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP02WKzKlSk Neil Lennon (Cheat) Fakes Headbutt from Juanjo Not much said about these incidents in the mHedia

Unfortunately from now on,regardless of the appeal,he is now branded a cheat and will have to have thick skin from now on

Well Roughy & DJ on RR says he is a cheat so that will be that then.

So,the Dunfermline manager is up on a charge for saying the referee got it wrong,and now this chunt Lunny says Aluko dived,so he is agreeing with the Dunfermline manager that the ref got it wrong?

Despite it being illegal in the UK to support a Terrorist group,so does this make the SFA law breakers?. '' Mr Reid said the move sent a signal that the UK would not tolerate people who supported terrorism.'' '' The laws outlawing glorification against terrorism were only passed after a prolonged stalemate between the House of Commons and House of Lords.'' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5188136.stm

I'd like to know what this Lunny charachter saw in the video and still pics that convinced him to say there wasn't contact made so he dived?.

If I was Aluko and I didn't win this case I'd take it to court and sue the barstewards

You can only tell for sure if a player has dived,ie; no contact,if there was contact,which in this case there was,then how can you tell he dived?

By Andrew Dickson RANGERS have rejected the offer of a two-match ban being applied to Sone Aluko from the SFA after he was alleged to have dived against Dunfermline on Saturday. That means the former Aberdeen player's fate will be determined at a fast track tribunal on Thursday as it is decided whether or not any suspension should be imposed. Aluko won a penalty in the first half of Saturday's game against the Pars with the scores at 1-0. Referee Steve Conroy - who had a good view of the incident as he fell under Martin Hardie's challenge - had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. And Nikica Jelavic tucked away the chance from 12 yards to ultimately net the winner in a tight game with Jim McIntyre's team which ended 2-1. Aluko was adamant after the final whistle that he had been fouled and there was little in the way of complaint from members of the away team, with television replays suggesting Hardie may have made contact with the winger. Regardless of that, SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny has reviewed the incident and feels Aluko was guilty of simulation, thus he has given Gers the chance to accept a two-game ban. They were notified of that late this afternoon and if it is ultimately enforced, the 22-year-old will miss meetings with Hibernian and Inverness. However, the club believes Aluko should have his punishment removed and a final call on what should happen will be made later this week.

Who decides what players/incidents are to be investigated?

Hibs appealed O'Connors' two match ban for diving! and the appeal was upheld. I haven't seen the O'Connor incident but there was contact on Aluko so if Rangers appeal then their appeal will be held up no?

6 Dec 2011 NEIL LENNON has appealed for a fairer crack of the whip when it comes who plays first in the title race. To date, on the weekends when both have been in action this season, Celtic have played after Rangers on 10 occasions while the Ibrox side have followed the Hoopsâ?? kick-off only four times. Lennon acknowledges that, by dint of competing in the Europa League â?? with most of these fixtures scheduled for Thursdays â?? Celticâ??s following SPL game has to be put back a day. Sky TV and ESPN also dictate who should play when, preferring to screen whichever half of the Old Firm is playing away from home on any given weekend. But the Parkhead boss still believes more could and should be done to balance the situation because he reckons it puts more pressure on the side going second due to the gap between the title challengers often being artificially stretched. That was the situation again last weekend when, after playing Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Celtic played at Tannadice on Sunday, a day after Rangers had extended their lead at the top once again to seven points with a win over Dunfermline on Saturday afternoon. Lennon said: â??To me it is a bit unfair because I think only once or twice recently have we played before Rangers. â??I understand that the fact we are playing in the Europa League on Thursdays means we have had to play on Sundays sometimes. â??But it might give teams a slight advantage. You know, you go into the games like Sundayâ??s at Tannadice seven points behind when the gap could be just one point if we were playing before Rangers and won. â??So, ideally I would like a bit of a balance with that.â? The bad news for Lennon and his players is that this is not about to happen any time soon. In fact, on the three weekends before the Old Firm meet at Parkhead on December 28, Rangers will kick off ahead of Celtic. This Saturday, Ally McCoistâ??s side have a lunchtime start against Hibs at Easter Road, and could again be seven points clear before Celtic meet Hearts at 3pm. The following weekend, Rangers are at home to Inverness at 3pm on the Saturday, while Celticâ??s game away to St Johnstone has been moved to the following day because they play Udinese next midweek. And, on Christmas Eve, both clubs have brought forward their fixtures, but Rangers still edge it. Their game against St Mirren kicks off at 12.45, while Celtic take on Kilmarnock at 1.30. The SPL have announced that the following games have been selected for live TV coverage on Sky Sports and ESPN. Sat Feb 11 Dunfermline v Rangers ESPN, 12 noon Sun Feb 19 Aberdeen v St Johnstone Sky 12.45pm; Hibernian v Celtic - Sky, 3pm Sat Feb 25 St Mirren v Aberdeen ESPN, 12 noon Sun Feb 26 Inverness CT v Rangers Sky 12.45pm Sat Mar 3 Aberdeen v Celtic - ESPN 12 noon Sun Mar 4 Dundee United v Inverness CT ESPN, 12 noon http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/...mble-1.1138420

RANGERS and the SFA were today on a collision course after winger Sone Aluko was cited by compliance officer Vincent Lunny for an act of ‘simulation’. The Nigerian has been offered a fixed penalty two-game suspension after Lunny reviewed TV footage of the first-half penalty awarded to Rangers by referee Steve Conroy when Aluko tumbled in the box after a coming together with Dunfermline’s Martin Hardie in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Ibrox. Aluko has been cited for a breach of Rule 202 which states that ‘no player shall cause a match official to make an incorrect decision and/or support an error of judgement on the part of a match official by an act of simulation’. Rangers have until 3pm tomorrow to respond – but sources at Ibrox indicated today that they will not accept the automatic ban being offered and will take the matter to a judicial panel tribunal, which will be heard on Thursday afternoon. That three-man tribunal, which will be made up of a former referee, player and manager selected from 100 individuals on the SFA’s agreed list, will then decide whether Aluko dived to try and con the referee, or whether it was a legitimate spot-kick award. If Aluko’s appeal fails, he will be banned for the trip to Hibs this weekend, and the home match against Inverness Caley at Ibrox on December 17. The player strongly denied he had taken a dive in an after-match press conference on Saturday, stating that he felt contact from Hardie that was enough to send him over as he ran at full speed into the box. TV pictures showed minimal contact, and it now remains to be seen if the tribunal will favour the SFA, or Aluko’s interpretation of what went on. A suspension for the former Aberdeen man would be a huge blow for McCoist as the recent signing has brought much-needed creativty to the Rangers side in the two games he has played since agreeing a six-month contract, with an option for a further two seasons. In September, Gers’ Steven Naismith was cited by Lunny after he was caught on TV elbowing Dunfermline’s Austin McCann off the ball at a corner. The club accepted the two-game ban offered on that occasion. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/-1.1138428

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/

It was soft penalty,end of,it happens all the time,but when it is a Rangers player it turns into a witch hunt from the usual source.

It will be interesting to see what happens if he is invloved in another similar incident against the BHEASTS,if he plays?

SPL chiefs have revealed they will not punish Celtic over pro-IRA singing at Parkhead. Hampden bosses held a full investigation into chants at the Hoops' home league match with Hibs on October 29. And they published their findings last night - with UEFA poised to take action over allegations of similar misbehaviour at a hearing in Switzerland on Thursday. Hoops followers are in the dock with Euro bosses over their conduct at the Europa League clash with French side Rennes at Parkhead on November 3. But having held meetings with the Glasgow club and Strathclyde Police, the SPL are convinced the club has been doing everything possible to stamp out political singing. An SPL statement read: "It is not disputed that a small number of Celtic fans engaged in singing and chanting in support of the IRA. ì There is a minority in there who are damaging the reputation of the club î Celtic boss Neil Lennon "Such behaviour is unacceptable and unwelcome at SPL matches. "It is noted that Celtic FC has condemned such activity publicly on many occasions, most recently by Chief Executive Peter Lawwell and by Head Coach Neil Lennon. "It is important that such public condemnation should continue. "It has been established that Celtic FC took all reasonably practicable steps before, during and after the match to minimise the likelihood of unacceptable conduct occurring and, where it did occur, to assist in the identification and prosecution of offenders. "The ongoing work amongst the club, supporters and police to ensure that any unacceptable conduct is eradicated from Celtic Park is noted and is welcomed." Lawwell used the club AGM to attack fans who insist on singing pro-IRA songs. He said: "These chants which mention and glorify the Provisional IRA are totally and utterly unacceptable. "They are wrong and should not be sung." Manager Lennon has been planning to stage a meeting with controversial fans' group The Green Brigade to discuss the thorny matter. He said: "There is a minority in there who are damaging the reputation of the club. All I'm saying to them is: 'Please stop.'â??We can't be seen in a bad light in terms of offensive singing. "The majority of the fans don't enjoy it when the reputation of the club is being dragged through the mud." http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/288082/SFA-clear-Celtic-after-chant-probe

HEARTS have started their cost-cutting clearout â?? by sending letters to players giving them three options to leave. SunSport understands the cash-stricken Jambos have fired the notices to several of their fringe stars. It's believed two of the choices on offer are for the players to leave now with their wages paid up or to move on at the end of the season. The third alternative is for the Jambos to help them find a new club as soon as possible. Only those players who have rarely featured this season have so far received the instruction. That includes the likes of Jason Thomson, Calum Elliot, Conrad Balatoni and Janos Balogh. Little-used kids such as Danny Thomson and Matthew Park were also told the club wants to move them on. It's thought convicted sex offender Craig Thomson DIDN'T get the letter and his place isn't under threat. SunSport first revealed on November 3 that a fire sale of players was imminent as Vladimir Romanov prepared to pull out of Herarts. Now that process has officially begun, although as yet no deals have been struck with any players. Dumping fringe men would help the Jambos reduce their wage bill as they continue to stall on player payments once more. After taking 19 days to stump up October's cash to their stars, the wages for November are now 20 days late. Hearts used funds generated from last Saturday's home game with St Johnstone to make £1,000 payments to their stars. A total of 33 younger players were also paid on time on November 16. With December's payment date now less than a fortnight away, first team stars want urgent talks with the Jambos' hierarchy. High level talks with PFA Scotland continue as the players plot their next move. As yet there is no sign of them putting their signature on a letter of complaint to the SPL, a step they were on the verge of taking in October. FIFA could yet be called in to judge on the matter over whether the Jambos have breached players' contracts by continually stalling on payments to them. That could see regular first team players walk away for nothing when the transfer window opens next month. The Jambos have won just one of their last six league games since their financial problems first emerged. Hearts face a daunting trip to Parkhead to play Celtic this weekend. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3980140/Jambos-tell-stars-they-can-leave.html#ixzz1fjoZe0AQ