Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2012 12:39:21 GMT
An open letter to Alex Salmond MSP First Minister of Scotland:
First Minister
As First Minister of Scotland I believe it is both your right and duty to comment on all the major issues that affect Scotland and her people. The recent inevitable slide into administration by Rangers FC (Now known as Rangers FC PLC –in administration) was such an occasion. It is a huge story for Scottish football, in particular, and Scottish society, in general and I would have been extremely surprised had you not been asked for your opinion on the matter.
However, it was the content of your comments that concerned me. You stated that, that “we’re talking about a huge institution, part of the fabric of the Scottish nation, as well as Scottish football, and everybody realises that.”
Later in the same interview you went on to indicate that pressure was being put on HMRC by adding, ‘We’ve certainly been arguing to HMRC on one hand, and indeed to Rangers, to for goodness sake get a settlement, get a settlement and a structure over time whereby Rangers can continue because Rangers must continue for the future of Scottish football and for the fabric of the country.”
I recall, with no fondness whatsoever, that the football club that I have supported all my life, Celtic FC, came within a whisker of going out of business in 1994. Thinking back to those dark days I have no recollection of any political will to get involved, no pressing desire to see the football club I love survive.
Nor do I remember political interference when Clydebank FC and Airdrieonians FC went to the wall or when Motherwell FC, Dundee FC and Livingstone FC plunged into administration. The circus that currently surrounds the Ibrox club should be allowed to play out naturally without interference from the Scottish Government.
The media is currently undergoing a campaign that is driven by desperate desire to see Rangers FC PLC (in administration) survive, if not in its’ current form then in any form whatsoever. I compare that with the attitude within the media in 1994. There was a palpable delight within the Scottish media in seeing Celtic FC on its’ knees. In fact I can clearly recall one of Scotland’s leading daily newspapers publishing a photograph in which they had sent a hearse and someone dressed as an undertaker to pose outside Celtic Park.
You describe Rangers FC PLC (in administration) as an institution, one that must, in your opinion, survive. This opinion is misguided, at best. This is an “institution” that had a Sectarian employment policy for over 120 years, a policy that was only, nominally, changed when rumours of a UEFA investigation surfaced. This club slipped into administration when details of an unpaid Tax bill of the, not inconsiderable, sum of £19 000 000 surfaced. As the leading politician in Scotland you will be more aware than most of how many teachers, or nurses, or carers that amount of money might have funded. Of course, there is also the threat from the HMRC to consider as well. In the event of the football club losing their case to HMRC we are talking about somewhere between £45 and £80 000 000 of unpaid tax to the treasury. Would any other business that owed the public purse such an obscene amount of money be treated with such leniency?
The fans of Rangers FC PLC (in administration) are a constant stain on your Governmental stance of “One Scotland, many cultures”. Respected journalist, Ian Archer wrote: “This has to be said about Rangers, as a Scottish football club they are a permanent embarrassment and an occasional disgrace. This country would be a better place if Rangers did not exist”
Unfortunately the word “disgrace” is one that is easily applied when describing the actions of their fans, both at home and abroad. The repulsive, but thoroughly predictable, behaviour on the streets of Manchester around the UEFA Cup Final of 2008 was shown on television all over the world. Sadly it merely reflected their behaviour following their last European Final, also in Barcelona, in 1972. The previous year saw the Rangers support embarrass Scotland yet again, this time in Osasuna which was punished with a UEFA fine. Less well reported, even in this country, was the disgusting behaviour when they returned to Barcelona only a few years ago. The Mayor of that beautiful City described their visit as the city’s “worst experience in football”.
Despite a number of fines from UEFA (although conspicuously not from the SFA) for the singing of sectarian and racist anthems these songs continue to be sung. Indeed at the League Cup Final of 2010 after 90 minutes of, clearly heard sectarian singing, your own Justice Minister, Kenny Macaskill described it as a “great advert for Scottish Football.”
Really?
Even as recently as last weekend, as Rangers FC PLC (in administration) went down to a 1-0 defeat at Ibrox to Kilmarnock, the whole of Scotland was “treated” to the full repertoire of Sectarian filth. A classic example of their fans getting behind their team. Unsurprisingly this was completely ignored by the Scottish media.
And please don’t think for a moment that the problem of bigoted and sectarian behaviour that surrounds the club is a problem that is confined to the supporters. In 2005 the club was forced to play a European tie against inter Milan behind closed doors at the San Siro stadium in Milan. No fans were admitted to the game and yet sectarian singing and bigoted chanting could be heard throughout the game. This could only have come from the official Rangers FC party or the Scottish media present at the game. Chairman at the time, Sir David Murray promised a full investigation into the incident. To date we await the findings of that investigation.
I understand that you are a talented politician and as such will grasp any opportunity that may advance your political agenda. You may see this situation as an opportunity to harvest some of the Unionist vote for the upcoming Independence Referendum.
If this is your strategy, it is flawed. The amount of votes lost from the decent, honest, tax-paying citizens of Scotland will far outweigh any gained from grateful supporters of the Ibrox club.
In addition your claim that Celtic FC “needs” a strong Rangers FC is just plain wrong. No matter how this is dressed up, it is still wrong. In complete comparison to Rangers FC PLC (in administration) Celtic FC are a well run club. Financial prudence over the years may not have pleased the clubs supporters in our desire for success on the pitch but it does mean that the club has a plan that guarantees the long term viability and success of Celtic FC as a business and as a football team.
As far as I understand the worst case scenario for Rangers FC PLC (in administration) is for the club to go into liquidation. This being the case I would expect the club to reform under a new name and re-enter the SFL. For the club to start in Division three would ensure that finances are distributed amongst some of the teams in the lower reaches of Scottish football. This is surely the situation that would most benefit Scottish football as a whole, a more even distribution of the wealth that has been sought for years.
Therefore, I respectfully suggest that this is the strategy you follow any time you feel the need to make further comment on the situation.
Regards
A Celtic Supporter.
PS, While you are at it, you might like to comment on the sectarian problems that infest the supporters of your own club, Heart of Midlothian FC.