On Wednesday, the whole world finally got to know what everyone but the Scottish FA and Rangers knew over half-a-decade a go — Rangers were a bunch of tax cheats and it was only that scheme that kept them alive for as long as it did.
That’s because a unanimous vote of five Supreme Court judges in London have rejected an appeal by Rangers former holding company in their tax avoidance scheme case. It means it is also the final nail in the legal coffin of oldco Rangers.
After all, they attempted to get away with nearly £50 million in payments to players and staff through EBT payments from the Murray Group, which were the majority stakeholders in the club from 2001 to 2009.
Celtic have been clear in wanting an investigation in to stripping Rangers of any titles won during their tax cheating years. After all, they were able to structure payments in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if they had to pay the tax bills correctly.
Yet, even during the initial investigation and findings, the Scottish Football Association decided against any sporting punishment. No titles being stripped, no sanctions against an already dead club either.
Celtic made its feelings well known once again, releasing the following statement:
"WE note today’s decision by the Supreme Court. Celtic’s position on this issue has been consistent – that this has always been a matter for the courts of law and also the Scottish football authorities, whose rules are intended to uphold sporting integrity.In 2013, we expressed surprise – shared by many observers and supporters of the game – over the findings of the SPL Commission that no competitive or sporting advantage had resulted. Today’s decision only re-affirms that view.We are sure now that the footballing authorities in Scotland will wish to review this matter. Celtic awaits the outcome of their review."
In other words, “so…about those titles those cheating bastards won. You’re move SFA.”
Hope of the SFA doing anything right when it comes to Rangers seems a big ask. However, early signs point to the governing body at least being open-minded to revisiting the situation now that the Supreme Court has ruled against the oldco.
UPDATE: The SFA revisited quickly and put a usually insane and biased statement out noting no action will be taken on their behalf.
The message? Tax cheating is cool…but only if you’re Rangers.
You and I both know anyone else caught up in this type of scheme would be put down with the full force of the SFA and SPFL.
What gives hope to a renewed sense or righting a major wrong? It starts in the fact that the SPFL is in charge today and not the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunal. You know, the group of which saw no harm in oldco handing out payments to players in an undeclared fashion.
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Following the verdict, the SPFL had this to say:
“The board of the SPFL notes today’s judgement of the Supreme Court,” the statement read. “We will now take time to examine the judgement in detail and to consider any implications for the SPFL.”
Celtic and the rest of the top flight should be pushing hard for sanctions and stripping of titles. It is hard to see how a competitive advantage wasn’t gained knowing the actual dire straights the club was in all of those years.
Saying oldco gained no competitive advantage is to ignore the idea that cheating taxes didn’t allow them to sign players they really couldn’t have afforded to sign in the first place. I mean, £50 million is a lot of money to avoid paying taxes on in Scottish football or anywhere really, all in the name of being able to keep the best players possible happy.
It also ignores the double standard by which all other clubs in Scottish football would’ve been held to.
It is a chance for Scottish football to show it is serious about being not made a fool of anymore. Standing up to tax cheats would certainly be a step in the right direction.
It will be interesting to see how the SPFL handles this delicate situation though, because Rangers have long-rumored to be teetering on the brink of insolvency again. Will the SPFL levy huge financial hits to the club or find to simply strip any titles gained during the alleged period?
Either way, Celtic and the rest of Scottish football await the day there isn’t one standard for Sevco and one for everyone else. That would indeed be a giant leap forward for Scottish football.