The SPL is the Football Equivalent of the Eurovision Song Contest

The eventual result of the SPL vote on financial fair play would be no less credible if it were phoned in on a crackly line live from Oslo with barbed commentary from Terry Wogan over the top of it. For decades the Eurovision has been viewed as a contest that is not credible in terms of providing the intended outcome and has been subject to open criticism that voting agreements are struck; or that countries cast political and geographical rather than “artistic” votes, even though there is no political issue at stake.

The second non-decision of the SPL board and member teams was frankly predictable given the sound bites given out previously by Neil Doncaster and his continual quoting of the mantra that an application of the Newco is at the discretion of the SPL board. It is quite clear from Steven Thompsons interview on Sunday and the subsequent resolution yesterday that the members of that board other than Topping and Doncaster have been intimidated by the  threats of retribution from all under the Rangers banner and want out of that particular decision making process.  

Its not hard to understand that they would prefer the vote to be taken by all clubs collectively but the date of 30th May plays perfectly into the hands of Doncaster who’s raison d’être is to have the most commercially viable league in terms of crowd numbers, TV deals and sponsors. If the NEWCO application is received prior to 30 May it is up to the SPL board members and Doncaster has already made it quite clear in interviews if you cut away all the fluff, that the application will be accepted. Furthermore there is probably no legal mechanism to issue sanctions once accepted. If the application isn’t received before the 30 May then don’t be surprised to see the decision adjourned again.

The startling thing for me was the reason behind the delay. It was at the request of Duff and Phelps to postpone it to give Bill Miller time and in addition no representative from Rangers was there. The attendance at a bigot fest in Linfield was obviously a bigger draw to the Rangers Reps rather than the future of the game in Scotland. 10,000 of them marched to Hampden when it was shut but when invited to attend not one of them bothered.

So here we have a court appointed administrator and a largely unknown trucking “Tycoon” from Tennessee who hasn’t set foot in this country and who hasn’t put a single penny into Scottish Football dictating to the SPL – and the SPL allowing this? It beggars belief and to quote Terry Wogan from one of his stints on the Eurovision -  'Please don't ask me to take it seriously'. It’s a ludicrous situation and the newco situation seems to be gathering less criticism in some quarters than the decision this time last year to allow Celtic a one match SPL postponement to play in the Dublin Cup.

The people who do put money into the Scottish game are the fans and we are being asked to blindly cough up for money in Season Tickets in advance of any decision being made? With one chairman already stating that commercial considerations will out-weigh sporting integrity when he comes to vote then what is it we are actually paying for if its not a fair sporting contest? I personally will renew my season ticket as I always have even at my lowest motivation in watching Celtic – the year spent at Hampden - I renewed.

Given the current situation I will add to my self imposed boycott of Ibrox, all the other away grounds in the SPL. The time, money and personal sacrifice I expend to attend these games is no longer worth it; I have weighed up my own commercial / time considerations against the perceived sporting contest and will not be attending.

Celtic have the biggest proportion of season ticket holders than any other club and as such have a lot more to lose, a lot more customers to safeguard and a major financial consequence should their customers vote with their feet. Throughout history the custodians of the club have rallied against the decision makers at crucial points in order to protect our position and Peter Lawell must look to Kelly and McCann if in doubt about how to go about it.

A lot has been made about certain clubs breaking rank and expressing how they would be likely to vote and Celtic have remained silent on the issue. Some take this to be a weakness or a sign that Celtic have no objections, however until this charade plays out we cannot judge and something tells me that when we look back, the history will not read that Celtic were willing and compliant in a sanction free Newco.

One of the exceptions to the voting pattern of the Eurovision was in 1981 when the choreography of Bobby G whipping Cheryl Bakers skirt off to reveal an even shorter skirt was enough to sway the votes, presumably those who voted hoped the winning re-run of the performance would reveal even more. It is going to take a similar “skirt pulling” moment to force a major swing in the SPL vote and break the voting cabal – An announcement by Celtic; the broadcasting of a damning documentary so breathtaking that it makes a yes vote impossible; the result of the FTT or a Tennessee Tycoon walking away.

Any of these events could provide that “skirt pull” moment which forces the SPL to finally cut their indecision and make their mind up (sorry) the sporting way.