WeeFuse begrudgingly talks about what happened today…
I suppose that, given the nature of my little internet endeavor here, I need to say something about today’s developments in Scotland. I’ll start with the most obvious thing first: none of this ever had to happen.
I’m not talking about the former Rangers F.C. being financially irresponsible (though greater oversight probably could have nipped the situation in the bud), I’m talking about what happened after that- the club going into administration and then liquidation. At that point, Rangers F.C. no longer existed as a football club, only as paperwork and physical assets to be purchased at bargain basement prices. Any buyer should have known that the rules were clear- reform, apply for admission to the SFA and SFL, and if accepted, begin in the Third Division. The problem was that from a business standpoint, that’s a non-starter and the parade of potential buyers that came and went without buying in was evidence of that. Faced with this predicament, it is my opinion that the idjits who run the SPL and SFA began to suggest behind closed doors that “something could be worked out” to avoid this fate if somebody, anybody, would please buy the remnants of Rangers F.C.- and somebody finally did, Charles Green.
Green appears to be either wildly misinformed, delusional, or both. Among other things, he thought he bought the rights to contracts of the Rangers F.C. players- and indeed he may have been led to believe this- but, as we all know, that’s not even legal in the U.K.- it’s up the employee (player) to decided if his contract is transferred to a “newco” in a situation like this. Even after today’s vote to…wait for it…follow the rules that have been in place all along, Green’s first public statement said that he accepted the decision of the SFL and would abide by it… but of course, there’s always the chance of an SPL2 being formed when the SPL meets next week and clubs (including the “newco”) being invited to join it. This would be a way of circumventing the entire process and ending up in the equivalent of the First Division. This part of his statement was quickly pulled from the Rangers’ website when, I imagine, somebody finally put an arm around Green, looked him in the eye, and said, “Stop. It’s over.”
It is my hope that this event (or never ending series of events) will eventually come to some good. Certainly there will be some financial hardships at some clubs, but I think every club can come out of this drama stronger, if only by being more fiscally responsible and that might just lead to a more even playing field for all clubs. Whatever the case, I’d hope to see the SFL and SPL merged, a larger top division, a true pyramid system, and…wait a minute- didn’t somebody already suggest all of this?
Before I close I’d like to pass judgment on all of those- singular and plural- involved in this debacle. ”Heid Up” means you did well, “Heid Down,” well, not so much…
Heid Up
- The 10 clubs in the Scottish Premier League who listened to their supporters and voted “no” when asked to let the Newco directly back into the top flight.
- The 25 (of 30) clubs in the Scottish Football League who voted not to allow the Newco into the First Division- because that would be against the rules
- To the 35 of 42 professional clubs (Yes, I know, Queens Park F.C. are amateurs) who voted to follow the rules and to preserve the integrity of the game in Scotland despite potential negative financial consequences for themselves.
- Ally McCoist, who could have cut and run, but didn’t, and who, early on, said, “just put us in the Third Division and let us get to work…” I always liked Coisty and now I have another reason.
- The majority of Rangers F.C. supporters who, like their manager, wanted to take their punishment, shed this scandal and get back to the business of football.
Heid Down
- The former administrators of Rangers F.C. for causing this all to happen.
- The administration of the SPL for trying to circumvent the rules and then, when its constituent members wouldn’t go along with that, passing the decision off to the SFL, who never should have had to deal with any of this in the first place.
- Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPL. Whenever he was given a chance to make the situation worse, he did. If it were not for the opposition of the rank and file of the SPL to his decisions this whole saga might well have been much worse.
- The SFA for showing absolutely zero leadership and a great deal of complicity during this crisis. What an unmitigated embarrassment… Stewart Regan’s letter of resignation should be on somebody’s desk by Monday morning.
- The minority of Rangers F.C. fans who feel it is the club’s birthright to remain in the top flight no matter what and that the decision to drop them to the Third Division will destroy Scottish football. It won’t, but supporters like you might.
That’s it.
I don’t want to talk about this anymore.
Ever.
