A Serious Injustice August 8, 2014 / billmcmurdo Rangers fans - TopicsExpress

A Serious Injustice August 8, 2014 / billmcmurdo Rangers fans should be able to take heart from the swift action shown by UEFA in righting the “injustice” Celtic received by playing against an ineligible player for two minutes after 178 minutes of playing eligible players who pumped them good and proper. After all, if the governing bodies are so keen to right wrongs suffered by teams, then we should expect a massive righting of the mountain of wrongs experienced by The Rangers FC over the past few years, including punishments and judgements that later proved to be unfounded. To say nothing of lies and fabrications in the media. Speaking of governing bodies, I see that the SFA have appointed a new compliance officer to replace Vincent Lunny, whose departure is shrouded in some mystery. My understanding is that Lunny’s removal was a bit sudden and seems to be indicative of turmoil over at Hampden. Of course, Compliance Officer at the SFA has a different meaning perhaps than it would elsewhere. In the opinion of many fans, it is all about who and what should be complied with, rather than complying to any rule book. A wee birdie tells me that SFA supremo Stewart Regan is actively looking for an exit from his well-paid job. I am led to believe that one or two in the hallowed halls of power have squeaky bums and are dreading the release of info which could make their tenure very uncomfortable. Genuine fans of the beautiful game here in Scotland will welcome anything that restores some integrity and probity to our governing bodies, whose behaviour has tarnished the image of Scottish football due to general incompetence and indulging in witch hunts against Scotland’s biggest team. Celtic’s reinstatement to the Champions League is proof that sporting integrity is as laughable a phrase when applied to football governance in Europe as it is here in Scotland. Legia Warsaw’s breach of the rules, which was clearly an error, could have and should have been adequately legislated for with a fine. Instead, we have a team that didn’t qualify take the place of one which did. I can see the point if the ineligible player had scored both goals the other night but the fact is, he was thrown on at the end of a tie which Celtic had been humiliated in long before his appearance. Celtic’s place in the CL qualifiers comes by winning titles in which they have no credible opposition. And this comes from Rangers being banished to the bottom tier of Scottish football. It is only in the corrupt environment of European football that a team which doesn’t qualify by beating serious opposition is invited to a place at the Champions table. After, of course, its main rival is subject to a witch hunt of unprecedented proportions that ensures this loaded path to the Champions League. Yet now those tasked with running football have gone one further – by making getting a serious doing over two legs no impediment to progress in the competition. Many Celtic fans will take the ridiculous UEFA ruling, even though the more fair-minded supporters will realise it is very harsh on the team that played Celtic off the park over two legs. Those fans who crow about UEFA giving their team a reprieve will never know the joy that supporters of other teams know by seeing those teams do something they know little of. That is, qualifying on the field of play.