In the fifth instalment of ‘The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind’, Paul John Dykes reveals an email received from an SPFL Chairman, which sheds more light on the SFA & SPFL’s failure to act following the Supreme Court’s recent decision on EBTs.
The email from the club, who themselves went into administration in the aftermath of Rangers’ collapse, stated:
“[The Club Chairman] is aware that the league bodies sought legal counsel on the case, and were advised there would be very little chance of taking retrospective action against an organisation that no longer exists.”
In an unusual step, the club went on to make a further concerning disclosure in relation to the Scottish game being brought into disrepute, as they continued:
“[The Club Chairman] was involved at the sharp end trying to keep our club afloat, when we went into administration because of primarily, a failure to pay tax due (along with multiple other debts), and we were only minutes away from being liquidated ourselves. At that time he saw a number of things that have never been reported, which without question bring the Scottish game into disrepute. As a consequence, we feel it would be highly hypocritical for us to call into question someone else’s integrity.”
These admissions raise further serious questions around the governance of the Scottish game:
What action should be taken when an SPFL club Chairman discovers unreported matters that would bring the game into disrepute?
Clearly, the “organisation” in question actually does exist (albeit in a liquidated state). Therefore, can it in actual fact be the subject of further sanctions?
Is it not in the best interests of facet of Scottish football that a full and transparent investigation is conducted to ensure that those who brought the game into disrepute during the collapse of Rangers (IL) are identified and sanctioned appropriately?
Otherwise, this situation could conceivably happen again.
As well as this update, Paul John Dykes is joined by author Stephen Sullivan and ex-Middlesbrough and Republic of Ireland striker, Bernie Slaven.
Listen to Episode 4 of The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind
