The Rangers Observer - Lawwell wrote to SFA in July demanding further action against

[26th of foot 5,845]

 

Oh, here we go. The man that walked the backstreets of Baghdad barrels into the fray. We should begin a checklist of the usual interested parties : Ill Phil, Angela Haggerty, Mad Joe O'Rourke, Hugh Keevins, Hugh MacDonald, Glenn Gibbons(I know he's pan bread, but Doris Stokes can contact him for reaction), Gerry Hassan, Cardinal O'Brien, and Elaine C(furra Sellik)Smith.

 

Tom English, Cosgrove, Michael Stewart, Richard Gordon, and Chris McLaughlin have already trapped. Peter will be telling Paul Quigley this is a three line whip, ensure all the compliant ones turn the Rangers hatred up to eleven. Who will be the first elected politician to bow to the wishes of Peter the Grate?

[Blue Moon 1,116]

I find it hard to get excited about this. From my cynical stand point I think Lawwell is making noise for effect, he must already know he doesn't have support of the other teams in Scotland, and that the SFA don't intend to create another investigation. In which case this is all about playing to the gallery, that fairly large section of his club's own support so warped by hatred. This way he keeps the unhinged sevcopaths onboard while nothing actually happens. It's a dangerous game and one I'd hoped the people at the top of our game might be above playing, but I shouldn't be that surprised they aren't.

 

Ironically I'd love to know how the SFA and the SPFL are going to ensure nothing like what happened to Rangers can ever happen again. We should all be demanding lessons are learned and rules are put in place, but I remain sceptical clubs will ever agree to that.

 

He is playing a very dangerous game so close to us playing each other. His actions are beneath contempt.

[ian1964 10,431]

Hibernian supporters have contacted the Club directly, and via their two elected Non-Executive Directors, to enquire as to the Club’s position regarding Rangers, HMRC and the use of EBTs.

 

The Board has discussed the matter at successive Board meetings, and has come to a unanimous view. The Club had intended to make this known earlier, but a variety of factors, not least the need to focus on and conclude Hibernian business during the transfer window, delayed this.

 

Your Board fully understands the concerns of supporters regarding this issue, on all sides of the argument.

 

During the past six years, the matter has been interrogated by the highest courts in the land, by the SFA, and by the SPFL. In recent weeks, both the SPFL and SFA have taken extensive legal advice which does not support or encourage taking further action.

 

The lengthy and detailed explanation of the SPFL legal advice (July 26th 2017) makes clear that this matter has now been thoroughly examined by some of Scotland’s keenest legal minds, and their opinion is that – given the rules which applied at that time - no additional sanctions could be retrospectively applied. Similar legal views have been obtained by the SFA. Both organisations have looked at the issue and at potential sanctions, and have received strong and clear legal advice.

 

The SPFL – whilst accepting that no additional sanctions can be retrospectively applied – wants an independent review into how the issue was handled. The SFA has referred a specific aspect to its compliance officer. For all of these reasons, we also do not support the letter from the SPFL calling for a further independent review.

 

Your Board believes our game faces a choice. We either continue to spend significant sums of money and huge reserves of time and energy to challenge already lengthy and detailed legal advice. Or, we can focus on doing all we can to invest in the future of our Club and the wider game to improve our sport, and ensure there can be no repeat of the issues raised

 

We prefer the latter option - working to ensure that in the future our game is fairer and more open, and has the potential to secure greater commercial income to fund further improvement for the longer term.

 

Scottish football is finally emerging from a period of significant turbulence, which has damaged the sport, into a much more exciting future. While we know this is a divisive issue that will never be resolved to the satisfaction of all supporters, we cannot allow it to divert us from the future or to keep us mired in the past.

 

It is the view of your Board that we should focus 100% on a brighter future for Hibernian, and for the game. All of our energy will be used trying to bring future success to our own club, and to working together to create a future that all of our supporters can be proud of, on and off the pitch.

[boabie 230]

" Hibs have released a statement backing the SFA's decision to reject an independent review into the Rangers tax case.

 

The Easter Road club have responded to supporters enquiring about their position on the matter just days after Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne also threw his weight behind the SFA's stance.

 

The game's governing body wrote to member clubs on Thursday to announce it would not take part in any review proposed by the Scottish Professional Football League , claiming "raking over the coals" would damage the game. "

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hibs-back-sfa-decision-reject-11150949

[26th of foot 5,845]

Hibernian supporters have contacted the Club directly, and via their two elected Non-Executive Directors, to enquire as to the Club’s position regarding Rangers, HMRC and the use of EBTs.

 

The Board has discussed the matter at successive Board meetings, and has come to a unanimous view. The Club had intended to make this known earlier, but a variety of factors, not least the need to focus on and conclude Hibernian business during the transfer window, delayed this.

 

Your Board fully understands the concerns of supporters regarding this issue, on all sides of the argument.

 

During the past six years, the matter has been interrogated by the highest courts in the land, by the SFA, and by the SPFL. In recent weeks, both the SPFL and SFA have taken extensive legal advice which does not support or encourage taking further action.

 

The lengthy and detailed explanation of the SPFL legal advice (July 26th 2017) makes clear that this matter has now been thoroughly examined by some of Scotland’s keenest legal minds, and their opinion is that – given the rules which applied at that time - no additional sanctions could be retrospectively applied. Similar legal views have been obtained by the SFA. Both organisations have looked at the issue and at potential sanctions, and have received strong and clear legal advice.

 

The SPFL – whilst accepting that no additional sanctions can be retrospectively applied – wants an independent review into how the issue was handled. The SFA has referred a specific aspect to its compliance officer. For all of these reasons, we also do not support the letter from the SPFL calling for a further independent review.

 

Your Board believes our game faces a choice. We either continue to spend significant sums of money and huge reserves of time and energy to challenge already lengthy and detailed legal advice. Or, we can focus on doing all we can to invest in the future of our Club and the wider game to improve our sport, and ensure there can be no repeat of the issues raised

 

We prefer the latter option - working to ensure that in the future our game is fairer and more open, and has the potential to secure greater commercial income to fund further improvement for the longer term.

 

Scottish football is finally emerging from a period of significant turbulence, which has damaged the sport, into a much more exciting future. While we know this is a divisive issue that will never be resolved to the satisfaction of all supporters, we cannot allow it to divert us from the future or to keep us mired in the past.

 

It is the view of your Board that we should focus 100% on a brighter future for Hibernian, and for the game. All of our energy will be used trying to bring future success to our own club, and to working together to create a future that all of our supporters can be proud of, on and off the pitch.

 

It looks like Peter is destined to walk between the winds.

 

Imagine biggest, bestest Toady, Rod telling Peter to do one!

[ian1964 10,431]

I'm overseas at the minute so can't listen in but I believe Regan is being grilled by Gollum on Radio

[colinstein 294]

right ..so it looks like Celtic complained to keep their wilder elements under control

before doing so they'll have made sure their pals in Aberdeen...Stewart Fisher isn't it ......although Milne made the pronouncement ....and Petrie in Hibs will have been briefed not to complain

because Celtic don't want it but won't face up to their lunatic support

[Blue Moon 1,116]

It would appear that only Peter and certain members of the press are supportive.

[Blue Moon 1,116]

right ..so it looks like Celtic complained to keep their wilder elements under control

before doing so they'll have made sure their pals in Aberdeen...Stewart Fisher isn't it ......although Milne made the pronouncement ....and Petrie in Hibs will have been briefed not to complain

because Celtic don't want it but won't face up to their lunatic support

 

Or maybe they too have had enough of fighting Celtic's battles.

[StuGers 477]

Surely now that the clubs are coming out and confirming that Lawwell was lying when he was saying he was representing "all 42 clubs", there is nothing that the SFA can do but charge Lawwell for bringing the game into disrepute.