Hibs backing for SFA ‘no’ to EBT probe
Hibs have become the second club after Aberdeen to back the Scottish Football Association’s decision not to sanction an independent review into the handling of Rangers’ use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTS).
The Easter Road club stepped into the divisive issue last night following a statement from Celtic on Saturday accusing the SFA of a lack of leadership. But Hibs have sided with the governing body’s wish to move on.
“Your board believes our game faces a choice,” said the Hibs statement. “We either continue to spend significant sums of money and huge reserves of time and energy to challenge already lengthy and detailed legal advice. Or, we can focus on doing all we can to invest in the future of our club and the wider game to improve our sport, and ensure there can be no repeat of the issues raised.
“We prefer the latter option – working to ensure that in the future our game is fairer and more open, and has the potential to secure greater commercial income to fund further improvement for the longer term.”
Hibs distanced themselves from a letter from the SPFL to the SFA requesting a further independent review.
Aberdeen owner Stewart
Milne reiterated last week that he wanted Scottish football to stop “dwelling in the past”.
The view of both Aberdeen and Hibs is in contrast to that of Celtic. Peter Lawwell, the Parkhead club’s chief executive, has insisted an independent judicial review is needed, a stance he says is supported by Scotland’s 42 professional clubs, via the SPFL board.
But SFA chief executive Stewart Regan yesterday pointed out only one club had contacted the SFA with their complaints – Celtic.
Regan wants Scottish football to stop “looking in the rear mirror” and instead concentrate on the positives ahead, such as being back in contention to qualify for a first major tournament in 20 years.
It’s understood the SFA has already spent a substantial sixfigure sum on legal representation, enough to build three new 3G pitches.
“We’ve spent a fortune on legal advice,” said Regan yesterday. “We’ve had the best legal minds in Scotland supporting us. You have to take recognition and cognisance of the opinion you get.”
The SPFL board’s decision to call for an independent review was made public in July. But the SFA released a statement last week confirming it will not be party to one.
Celtic responded with a statement accusing the SFA of “a failure in transparency, accountability and leadership”. The SPFL yesterday confirmed it would discuss the SFA’S decision at a board meeting next Thursday.
But Regan is adamant that there’s no further room for manoeuvre with regards calls for a review in light of the UK Supreme Court’s judgment earlier this summer on the use of EBTS by Rangers.
“I am the chief executive of the board, the board reports to the members,” he said. “We have 108 members. I notified the members last week of the decision and invited any comment from any member who felt there might be something they wish to discuss. Not a single phone call, not a single email, not a single letter has been received from any of our members other than Celtic Football Club and clearly we are aware of that matter.”
While the SFA has again ruled out further action on that matter it has opened an investigation into revelations at the recent trial of former Rangers owner Craig Whyte during the testimony of two former club directors regarding “overdue payables” to HMRC.
The new information could have implications in the context of the Uefa licence granted to Rangers by the SFA in 2011. The matter has now been referred to the SFA’S compliance officer. Regan added: “If new information has come to light where a former director of a club stands up in a court and provides information that is different – allegedly – to what was provided to the SFA when the decision was made we have a duty to investigate that.”
The range of potential sanctions relates to the five-way agreement dating to 2012, when Charles Green bought the Ibrox club.
Regan understands Lawwell’s position and stressed there was no personal enmity.
“I’d do exactly the same in his position – he is looking out for the best interests of Celtic Football Club,” said Regan. “I have no issue with that whatsoever.”