STEWART REGAN Q&A
Q refusing Celtic’s request, via the SPFL board and on behalf of all 42 league clubs, for an independent review?
SR: The decision has been taken as a board and having considered all the facts on the table. Since 2011 the board have relied heavily on advice from four QCs and three law lords, supporting us on that journey. We also have two independent directors on our board. Independence has been at its heart and we feel there is enough belief around our board that the decisions have been made with the best interests of Scottish football at heart.
Q So there’s no appetite in the game for a full review? SR: Other than one, we haven’t had a single member asking for this to be undertaken. The fact we have put in place such an independent process since 2011, including independent directors on our board, has significantly moved on the decision making since before I came to Scotland when it was oldfashioned committees. We are in a very different place now. Four QCs, three law lords, significant amount of financial and legal investment, scrutiny at every step of the way. We have got to the end of the process in our mind. We have made decisions on all the key areas and the one area we feel is still in need of further consideration is from comments made in the Craig Whyte trial relating to the (UEFA) licensing decision of 2011. That has been referred to the compliance officer and is now a live case.
Q Do you suspect we’ll never draw a line under this?
SR: It would be really difficult to convince those who believe in conspiracies there isn’t a conspiracy at play. My pushback to them is do we really think that four QCs, three law lords, all the club execs, all the independent panel members are all part of some huge conspiracy? We have spent too long looking through the rear view mirror and we’ve failed to look at the road ahead. We have to be able to move on. We won’t get closure in the eyes of some parts of Scottish football – some fans, some stakeholders, won’t ever get closure. This will be a topic that will be talked about for years. There isn’t a right or a wrong answer. It’s a judgment call and a group of guys around the boardroom table with independent legal scrutiny have come to the conclusion this is where we draw a line.
Q How much has been spent on your legal fees? SR: Hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Q Celtic figures would have been on SFA boards at the time decisions were taken in the past?
SR: Our senior clubs have all been on the various committees and bodies that exist in Scottish football so they have been party to those decisions. And they have also been party to the improvements made.
Q How many sit on the SFA board and was the decision
not to grant an independent review carried by a majority vote or was it unanimous?
SR: There are eight people on the board and seven were at the meeting. It works through collective responsibility. We don’t publish every decision or score or vote, that’s how boards work. Q Are there ramifications for Rangers newco if oldco found guilty of a breach with regards the UEFA license?
SR: The range of sanctions could – I stress could – be linked with how the five-way agreement comes into play in the future. (Record Sport understands part of the five-way agreement was for Rangers newco to accept liability for issues arising under the jurisdiction of oldco as part of the transfer of SFA membership). Q Celtic are asking why there is no review into the Big Tax Case when the SFA are willing to look at the Wee Tax Case?
SR: We haven’t had any new information raised with us by member clubs. If they have new information or evidence they feel falls into our jurisdiction then we will deal with that. Q Are you surprised Celtic haven’t provoked their own investigation via the SPFL?
SR: Celtic have the ability to do that through their own organisation, if they want to do so. Q Celtic’s statement said if there isn’t an inquiry, it would call into question the SFA’s accountability, transparency and leadership. How do you react?
SR: We have listened to everybody. That’s not to diminish the points made by Celtic. I have a lot of respect for Peter and I understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. He has a fiduciary duty to do what is the best interests of Celtic. Q Is your relationship with him now damaged? SR: I have a great relationship with Peter. We actually sat at the Champions League draw while all these letters were being exchanged.
He understands my position. I am acting in the best interests of the game. Q Is this really all about title stripping?
SR: I would actually say Celtic have gone to great lengths in their letters to emphasise it is not about title stripping, it is about process and learning.
For some people out there, some stakeholders, groups, fans, maybe title stripping IS at the heart of it.
But that matter has been discussed by the SPFL and a line has been drawn under it by the SPFL and they have moved on.
Our board’s opinion is we have had independence all the way. Are we going to have an independent review of an independent review? Where do you draw the line? It has been independent from day one. Q Will it ever go away?
SR: The word that’s been used, “closure”? I don’t think it is realistic, I don’t think it is something people will ever be happy with. There are those who want an outcome that can’t be delivered. We’ve gone as far as we can. Q Was any part of SFA board’s decision making informed by what might happen if you granted a full review into Rangers EBTs? You can only assume they might want other historic issues addressed?
SR: That’s not how boards work. Boards deal in facts and information and advice. We treat all our members in exactly the same way. You cannot consider “what if ”? There are too many what ifs in Scottish football. You deal in the here and now. Q Is your claim regarding independence compromised by the position of Campbell Ogilvie as SFA president throughout much of this time?
SR: Campbell made a very clear point of recusing himself from every single decision and discussion relating to Rangers.
He stepped outside and wasn’t involved at any time. Q How much is this about Celtic, Rangers, EBTs and SFA and how much is this, in reality, a power struggle between the SFA and SPFL?
SR: We could sit here and second guess the politics behind it. That’s not for me. My job is to try and drive the game forward and focus on all the positives we are dealing with and now allow the past to drag us back. Q All this must be wearying, will you consider walking away?
SR: No.