European Commission seek explanation on Celtic land deals

[obiwan72 28]

From what the papers say 'it's their duty to uphold every complaint'

[Bothwellbear 1,392]

From BBC

EC looking into Celtic land deals

The European Commission is looking into claims that Celtic Football Club broke EU rules in land deals involving Glasgow City Council.

Officials in Brussels said they had asked for detailed information after receiving a number of complaints.

In a statement, the council confirmed one of the complaints focussed on land deals around Celtic Park in the east end of the city.

The Commission said it had not yet opened a formal investigation.

The information is being analysed, it said, so no conclusions can be drawn.

Last year, the council agreed to sell land valued at more than £750,000 to Celtic.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

Any suggestion that Celtic has been the beneficiary of state aid is preposterous”

Celtic FC statement

A statement released by Celtic said the club "operates to the highest standards and with the utmost integrity".

It added: "At a time when the club is committed to investing in and improving areas around Celtic Park, not only for Celtic supporters but for the benefit of the local community, it is sad that these baseless accusations have been raised with the European Commission.

"Any suggestion that Celtic has been the beneficiary of state aid is preposterous - as ludicrous as any suggestion that we have benefited from soft loans from our bankers. The historic transactions referred to were negotiated with the council on commercial terms at market rates.

"The club will assist the Commission fully with the process and will not be deterred from our work to improve our local area."

A spokesman for the city council said: "A complaint was made to the European Commission on historic land deals around Celtic Park.

"The Commission is legally obliged to investigate all such allegations, and the council was happy to provide information on these transactions."

Health board

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which sold part of its Lennox Castle site at Lennoxtown to Celtic for a training ground, said it has had no requests for information about any land deal it has been involved in.

A spokesman for the Scottish government said: "We are aware of these allegations and we are working with the relevant parties to help the Commission to investigate this case consistent with our role to ensure public funds in Scotland are used in compliance with EU state aid regulations.

"The transaction between the health board and Celtic is not being investigated by the European Commission but we are also aware of it and are discussing it with the relevant parties."

The European Commission is also looking at whether claims of deals between the Spanish government and some of the country's football clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, constitute "state aid".

[koala bear 25]

Congrats on a great story, keep it going ---- Easily the best thread I have read in a long long time.

[Livi-Loyalist 46]

Yep I'm enjoying reading this thread I hope nobody hi-jacks it.well done and good luck to those who are digging.

[Blue Heaven 37]

According to the BBC no complaints have been made regarding the Lennoxtown land deal, this must be reported to the European Commission.

Any specific complaints relating to State Aid on this matter should contact the European Commission atStateaidgreffe@ec.europa.eu GET YOUR COMPLAINTS AWAY.

[WCPRANGERS1 2,997]

Let's not forget that this has been going on for 20-plus years now. During the Fergus McCann years, when they needed to build The PotatoDome, there was a huge problem; it just wasn’t possible due to lack of space. Glasgow City Council sprang into action to help their works team – they sold THREE WHOLE STREETS (Kinloch Street, Janefield Street, and Dalriada Street) to Yahoo FC for a penny. Yes, ONE PENCE. The houses that were preventing them from expanding Savile Row were duly demolished.

The vote to get the taxpayers to foot the bill rather than Nonce FC was passed by a majority consisting of Celtic season ticket owners and shareholders at Glasgow City Council. The Chairman of the committee asked if anyone would like to disqualify his or herself on the grounds of a conflict of interest. Unsurprisingly, none did, even though as I say the vast majority were Celtic season ticket and shareholders.

Only Private Eye and one SNP councillor questioned whether the Councillors should have declared their interests. Thirteen members on that Planning Committee , eleven Labour, one SNP, and one Tory. The SNP member was disgusted with the dealings of his own committee and he informed the Herald that ,"of the eleven Labour councillors on the committee , they are all either season ticket holders or shareholders at Celtic Park. Eight of them are both".

He further noted that ,"if these eleven councillors were shareholders in ICI and they voted for lax planning consent on a petro-chemical plant there would be a criminal investigation". The Scottish media have yet to even mention this.

Spot on, sure I remember that's part of the reason they were talking about relocation then hey presto some spare land.

[rossco87 687]

Guys,

Need to keep the pressure on this one and keep asking for answers / keep it being discussed in the news. E-mail to clyde;

Dear Sir/Madame,

I feel compelled to write to you for confirmation on what, I assume, was an editorial decision during last nights (09/01/14) broadcast of Superscoreboard Phone in. Returning after (I believe) the 6.30pm news bulletin, in which the news reader highlighted a breaking story that Celtic and Glasgow City Council had been asked to provide information to the European Commission regarding land deals, a caller named Chris called into to discuss the very same issue.

During his call Chris highlighted that although these were still allegations, should they prove true the ramifications could be similar (albeit through a different agency) to those suffered by Rangers during their First Tier Tax Tribunal (FTTT) vs. HMRC. The caller then invited the panellists to speculate on what the ramifications of Celtic being found guilty of these accusations being true might be. In response the presenter read Celtic's official statement and then cut the caller off stating that the panel were not "experts" in this particular field.

This is a marked difference to how panellists and presenters acted during the FTTT, where rather than consistently read a statement from Rangers, potential ramifications and at times other aspects of the case, were debate openly despite to the best of my knowledge not one of the presenters or panellists being an "expert" in tax law.

Could you please explain why and this (assumed) editorial decision of not discussing matters that members of the show are not "experts" in was made and why it was not alluded to on air to ensure callers to the show understood the correct parameters they could call in to discuss; or if it was not an editorial decision what steps are made to ensure that, in the interests of balanced and fair journalism, in future callers wishing to discuss matters regarding this particular subject are given the same airtime as those wishing the discuss Rangers' FTTT.

I look forward to your response and explanation.

Regards,

[DavieCooper1 19]

I know mate, lived Bellshill nearly all my life and seen it there also, what chance did we have then also, my Dad brought me up to vote Tory!!! as he wouldnt vote for they scum of people on Labour was his words. And we know what the Tories did to Scotland under Maggie!

Fecking politics, they are all a shower of .........................

I thought you wer from Bellshill. The North Road Derry lol.

[Guardian 4,281]

Evening Times

Home > News

Celtic rejects 'aid' claims on land deals

Published on 9 January 2014

Celtic have described claims that the club benefited from 'state aid' in land deals as "preposterous".

The European Commission has asked for details from the football club and Glasgow City Council after receiving a number of complaints about the purchase of land around Celtic Park.

The Commission has not opened a formal investigation but is analysing information.

Celtic said the purchases had been made on "commercial terms at market rates" and it will assist the Commission fully.

A spokesman for the Glasgow City Council said: "The Commission is legally obliged to investigate all such allegations, and the council was happy to provide information."

A statement on Celtic's website read: "Celtic Football Club operates to the highest standards and with the utmost integrity.

"At a time when the club is committed to investing in and improving areas around Celtic Park, not only for Celtic supporters but for the benefit of the local community, it is sad that these baseless accusations have been raised with the Commission.

"Any suggestion that Celtic has been the beneficiary of state aid is preposterous."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are aware of these allegations and we are working with the relevant parties to help the Commission to investigate this case consistent with our role to ensure public funds in Scotland are used in compliance with EU state aid regulations."

Next article:Patrols bid to stop the rotPrevious article:Burst water mains cause flooding in Glasgow

Menu

HomeNewsCelticRangersSportEntertainmentLifestyleOpinionSwitch to desktop site

© 2014 Herald & Times Group. All rights reserved.

It has made the Evening Times.

Small but it's a start.

[davyten 23]

With this and the political storm over the coop and labour party deals, now us the time for the Rangers support to mobilise and do anything in our power to ensure every wee detail and dodgy practice is highlighted so the powers that be have no scope to sweep this under the carpet or give them an easy out.

They did it to us, so we should not hesitate to kick them when the opportunity presents.

That would be karma.

Well said.

The taigs have seen this coming for a long time and employed a litigation lawyer as company secretary in advance of the coming storm. What makes this very different from the usual situation where their well-oiled machine lies, deflects and denies any such allegation is that they are no longer in a compliant environment where their cozy cabal has an easy ride.

Mark Garnier, the Conservative MP and member of the Treasury Select Committee, European Commission and many other competent parties including the mainstream British media for a change have the bigger picture in their sights. I don't expect this to be resolved quickly but will sit back and enjoy the slow roasting heading eastwards. I sincerely hope this cracks open the floodgates to the truth behind this club and their "historical" behaviour and sees justice done.

[McK55 22]

Guys,

Need to keep the pressure on this one and keep asking for answers / keep it being discussed in the news. E-mail to clyde;

Dear Sir/Madame,

I feel compelled to write to you for confirmation on what, I assume, was an editorial decision during last nights (09/01/14) broadcast of Superscoreboard Phone in. Returning after (I believe) the 6.30pm news bulletin, in which the news reader highlighted a breaking story that Celtic and Glasgow City Council had been asked to provide information to the European Commission regarding land deals, a caller named Chris called into to discuss the very same issue.

During his call Chris highlighted that although these were still allegations, should they prove true the ramifications could be similar (albeit through a different agency) to those suffered by Rangers during their First Tier Tax Tribunal (FTTT) vs. HMRC. The caller then invited the panellists to speculate on what the ramifications of Celtic being found guilty of these accusations being true might be. In response the presenter read Celtic's official statement and then cut the caller off stating that the panel were not "experts" in this particular field.

This is a marked difference to how panellists and presenters acted during the FTTT, where rather than consistently read a statement from Rangers, potential ramifications and at times other aspects of the case, were debate openly despite to the best of my knowledge not one of the presenters or panellists being an "expert" in tax law.

Could you please explain why and this (assumed) editorial decision of not discussing matters that members of the show are not "experts" in was made and why it was not alluded to on air to ensure callers to the show understood the correct parameters they could call in to discuss; or if it was not an editorial decision what steps are made to ensure that, in the interests of balanced and fair journalism, in future callers wishing to discuss matters regarding this particular subject are given the same airtime as those wishing the discuss Rangers' FTTT.

I look forward to your response and explanation.

Regards,

Very well written Rossco87.

I have called Clyde 1 today to register my complaint. I am waiting on a call back from Lorraine on this matter. I am very unhappy at the editorial decisions that were made last night and i was very offended by Frank's comments to the next caller about me. I think they tend to forget that without callers they would not be in a job on RC so the only way i will no longer be offended is by having an apology on air either from JD or Frank himself over his comment. If they are not willing to do this i will take the matter further. Will let you know the update i get from Lorraine.

[mick1271 521]

.

[now then forever 298]

What about the other land Celtic bought from the council for a penny or a pound in the 90's and the council also paid for the re-allocation costs of the residents? This together with the other land/property deals mentioned, together with the cheap loans from the Co-op. All links tied with labour, gcc and celtic. Hope everyone keeps the pressure up on this one...

[now then forever 298]

Let's not forget that this has been going on for 20-plus years now. During the Fergus McCann years, when they needed to build The PotatoDome, there was a huge problem; it just wasn’t possible due to lack of space. Glasgow City Council sprang into action to help their works team – they sold THREE WHOLE STREETS (Kinloch Street, Janefield Street, and Dalriada Street) to Yahoo FC for a penny. Yes, ONE PENCE. The houses that were preventing them from expanding Savile Row were duly demolished.

The vote to get the taxpayers to foot the bill rather than Nonce FC was passed by a majority consisting of Celtic season ticket owners and shareholders at Glasgow City Council. The Chairman of the committee asked if anyone would like to disqualify his or herself on the grounds of a conflict of interest. Unsurprisingly, none did, even though as I say the vast majority were Celtic season ticket and shareholders.

Only Private Eye and one SNP councillor questioned whether the Councillors should have declared their interests. Thirteen members on that Planning Committee , eleven Labour, one SNP, and one Tory. The SNP member was disgusted with the dealings of his own committee and he informed the Herald that ,"of the eleven Labour councillors on the committee , they are all either season ticket holders or shareholders at Celtic Park. Eight of them are both".

He further noted that ,"if these eleven councillors were shareholders in ICI and they voted for lax planning consent on a petro-chemical plant there would be a criminal investigation". The Scottish media have yet to even mention this.

^ Has anyone posted this information to any of the authorities, as this seems even worse than mentioned in the op. As one of the land transactions mentioned in the op they had the hmrc come up with a valuation.

[BlueAvenger 10,208]

I hope the relevant Councils have not been bombarded with FOI Requests .......

[SuperLeeMcCulloch 2,330]

.

[Malvern 11,329]

I hope the relevant Councils have not been bombarded with FOI Requests .......

Will get nothing via FOI as GCC are putting in "environmental" clauses to deny the information or some sh1t. That however does not wash (much like the dark side) with UEFA and the European Commission, they can demand all the pertinent documents.

[Don81 2,837]

What about the other land Celtic bought from the council for a penny or a pound in the 90's and the council also paid for the re-allocation costs of the residents? This together with the other land/property deals mentioned, together with the cheap loans from the Co-op. All links tied with labour, gcc and celtic. Hope everyone keeps the pressure up on this one...

Unfortunately falls outside the 10 years they are allowed to go back. Make it known though , to show it's been going on for years.

[soulboy 2,518]

Why hasn't the commission contacted the nhs about the old hospital. nhs is funded by the state so surely this would be the same as buying the other land from the council

[nachothelegend 1,932]

Why hasn't the commission contacted the nhs about the old hospital. nhs is funded by the state so surely this would be the same as buying the other land from the council

Oh dont worry they will Claim that that was for the benefit of the Local People too.

[harlands plater 16,958]

I know a lot of bears in management that work for the council roads and street lighting depts.they don't hide their allegiances at all.

The tarriers concentrate on departments like housing, where they can really do the most benefit for their own.

[Trooblue 1,971]

The Councillors who voted through these deals should be referred to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Scottish Public Services for investigation. If they failed to declare their interests, as Celtic season ticket holders and/or share-holders, they would be open to sanctions.

[bluenosebrad 452]

To knock down school and surroundings houses which locals benefited from that????

[North Rd 2,860]

Saw a good one on Twitter....

Mark Daly to do "The Mhen who Sold the Vherges"

[One Jock Wallace 858]

Hope this goes all the way. They won't admit it but I bet theyre shitting themselves right now & long may it last.

Well done to the Bears who uncovered this.