Dear Stewart Regan

[Frankie 505]

Dear Mr Regan,

As a concerned football fan I felt I had to convey in writing my frustration with regard to the ongoing controversy over officiating and discipline within the Scottish Football Association.

To that end, I'm sure you agree that the performance of your officials - be it on the front line with referees and their assistants or administratively with their superiors - has been less than convincing. The Tannadice incident and the subsequent debate has done nothing for the credibility of your organisation and the overall game in Scotland.

Now, I'd like to make clear that I feel the issue is more about competency and flawed procedure rather than infer the people involved are somehow corrupt or conspiring against any given club. Such unsubstantiated theories are unhelpful and are easily debunked when one examines the issue without prejudice. I certainly won't waste your time going over the plethora of decisions I feel have negatively affected my club, either in recent years or historically. Unfortunately though it seems clear others are intent in insulting your intelligence and this is where I'd like to detail my frustration.

As you know, in recent times (both in the last few weeks and last season in particular) Celtic Football Club have written several times to the SFA asking the organisation to explain an alleged surfeit of refereeing decisions which they feel have gone against their club. Of course this is their right and I don't think anyone should deny them the chance to impart their grievances. However, there comes a point when understandable expressions of dissatisfaction go beyond private letters to what appears to be an obvious public strategy of antiestablishmentarianism.

Whether it be their players alleging in the media yesterday that there are 'a disproportionate number of decisions given against their club', their manager verbally/physically abusing officials on the touchline or their chief executive polarising opinions about 'honest mistakes' amongst their support at pre-season 'road-shows'; Celtic FC are now arguably being less than proper in their actions. One must ask what their motive is when they lack the proof for the apparent inferences of cheating they make?

I think it is fair to say we all have a responsibility to football in Scotland. From the fans who continually invest their money to keep it fiscally viable, to the clubs who we support, to the authorities who have the unenviable task of administrating the whole; it is vital that at all times we ensure our national sport is a credible and proud example for our country.

It is that respect that transparency has never been more appropriate and I would hope all those that have dishonoured Scottish football of late are dealt with suitably so the lifeblood of the game can continue to enjoy a sport which is free from dishonesty and duplicity.

Dougie McDonald and Steven Craven have had their punishment for their poor decisions. Will you be informing us all of the censure handed out to those others who are equally guilty of bringing the game into disrepute? After all, if this doesn't happen then the credibility of the disciplinary process will remain open to negative debate.

Clear and strong leadership has certainly never been more required. I'm sure you will be eager to invoke this as a matter of urgency and, as a regular investor into Scottish football, I look forward to your reply on all of the above.

Yours in football,

xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

--

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

I suppose pointing out the irony of a letter like this moaning about letters like this would be lost ?

BTW I was impressed that you managed to use "antiestablishmentarianism " as a word in a sentence -

[minstral 5,375]

Good letter Frankie, and if any other club was acting like the darkside, they would be hammered by now.

[Frankie 505]

I suppose pointing out the irony of a letter like this moaning about letters like this would be lost ?

I made it clear that Celtic are entitled to privately air their grievances but am just making the point that going public with this (as well as allowing their players to infer cheating without proof) is not only unhelpful but quite frankly nothing short of a national disgrace.

[bluepeter 5,627]

I suppose pointing out the irony of a letter like this moaning about letters like this would be lost ?

Really? You're becoming a parody of yourself and should stop. Does it occur to you that if you kept your nonsense to less topics, people might take you more seriously?

Good letter Frankie

[Gid 46]

I suppose pointing out the irony of a letter like this moaning about letters like this would be lost ?

BTW I was impressed that you managed to use "antiestablishmentarianism " as a word in a sentence -

You just made a complete prick of yourself. Congrats.

Excellent stuff as always Frankie.

Well thought out and eloquently written.

[MisterC 11,806]

Fantastic letter Frankie and all of it is so true. Were Hearts not charged with bringing the game into disrepute when Romanov was blabbering on about the conspiracy against Hearts. If I am remembering correcrtly then surely the same should apply to that lot. I wont be holding my breath though.

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

Giving credence to Celtic's paranoid rantings really cannot be healthy. Another pointless grenade launched in the playground War of the Oldfirm rivalry.

For what it's worth, you have a point. However, for all the flowery language you use (antiestablishmentarianism) it amounts to nothing more than pointing out the obvious. Feeding their paranoia and our mock-outrage.

[Gid 46]

Giving credence to Celtic's paranoid rantings really cannot be healthy. Another pointless grenade launched in the playground War of the Oldfirm rivalry.

For what it's worth, you have a point. However, for all the flowery language you use (antiestablishmentarianism) it amounts to nothing more than pointing out the obvious. Feeding their paranoia and our mock-outrage.

What would your response be then, Fonzie?

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

What would your response be then, Fonzie?

I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of having one, Richie.

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

Really? You're becoming a parody of yourself and should stop. Does it occur to you that if you kept your nonsense to less topics, people might take you more seriously?

Good letter Frankie

The irony was lost on you as well I see.

.. and thanks for the tips on how to conduct myself - perhaps (just a weee bit of reciprocal advice) people should take themselves just that wee bit less seriously ? try looking for positives and have a wee bit of fun now and then, starting with an ability to laugh at one's-self?

[Frankie 505]

Giving credence to Celtic's paranoid rantings really cannot be healthy. Another pointless grenade launched in the playground War of the Oldfirm rivalry.

For what it's worth, you have a point. However, for all the flowery language you use (antiestablishmentarianism) it amounts to nothing more than pointing out the obvious. Feeding their paranoia and our mock-outrage.

No-one is giving credence to them - rather I'm hoping their attempts to discredit the game in our country are acted upon by pointing out their hypocrisy and lack of propriety.

Unsure why anyone would take offence with that (or the polite way in which it was written) as I've taken the time to detail my frustration and register it with the appropriate people. Nothing fake or pointless about backing up one's opinion with actual action.

[Gid 46]

I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of having one, Richie.

Ah the old "ignore it and it will go away" strategy.

[Poetry_In_Blue 1,043]

bluepeter and Bluepeter9 arguing is a bit of a mindfuck

They are actually one and the same person, we've allowed them to have two accounts due to their schizophrenia.

Anyway, regards to the letter, a very well written and accurate description of what is currently happening, but what is also the mentality of some clubs.

Wasn't so long ago there was an incident regarding McGregor and a slating going on towards the club about not taking any action, for us to then find out that Bain had actually raised his concerns on behalf of the club and player, but kept it dignified as it should be.

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

bluepeter and Bluepeter9 arguing is a bit of a mindfuck

We are NOT arguing - we are simply exchanging advice!

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

No-one is giving credence to them - rather I'm hoping their attempts to discredit the game in our country are acted upon by pointing out their hypocrisy and lack of propriety.

Unsure why anyone would take offence with that (or the polite way in which it was written) as I've taken the time to detail my frustration and register it with the appropriate people. Nothing fake or pointless about backing up one's opinion with actual action.

You're giving credence to them. Celtic's bleating and accusations seem to have been all but ignored by the SFA, which is all it deserved. Why carry it on? Just let it die. They will never accept that the whole World isn't agains't them so what's the point in sending a letter asking for the SFA to do something about it? Who will that help? It will just inspire Celtic to scale new peaks of delusion as it would be the all the confirmation that their little minds need that there is a conspiracy against them - as if any more were needed.

I wasn't offended by the language I was just amused that you managed to crowbar antiestablishmetarianism into it.

[mmrfc1873 48]

Can see this thread turning into a 20 pager.

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

Ah the old "ignore it and it will go away" strategy.

No, it's the ''continue ignoring it because it was already going away'' strategy.

[gunslinger 270]

the sfa and spl need to do something about celtc.

for their mananger to openly call an official a cheat and nothing to be said is so wrong.

[Gid 46]

No, it's the ''continue ignoring it because it was already going away'' strategy.

I think it's time you came out from under the duvet mate because this certainly is not going away. If anything, it's growing arms and legs and getting out of control.

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

I think it's time you came out from under the duvet mate because this certainly is not going away. If anything, it's growing arms and legs and getting out of control.

How? The SFA all but ignored Celtics bleating. Why throw fuel on a dying fire?

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

They are actually one and the same person, we've allowed them to have two accounts due to their schizophrenia.

Anyway, regards to the letter, a very well written and accurate description of what is currently happening, but what is also the mentality of some clubs.

Wasn't so long ago there was an incident regarding McGregor and a slating going on towards the club about not taking any action, for us to then find out that Bain had actually raised his concerns on behalf of the club and player, but kept it dignified as it should be.

Point 1: No we're not - the Voices The Voices - it was them made us me do it ( I actually dont think my nemesis will like that statement, see the irony in it nor be able to laugh at it. Come to think of it neither do we, I mean neither do I (turns inside himself and says' Thats what we mean isn't it?!) )

Point3: There was also that campaign to stop the 'Dignified Silence' - glad the club ignored that - 'tic are making themselves look foolish and papers et. al. are commenting negatively on it! but with respect to point 2 I do believe that not reacting is the best way on this matter - the SFA, et al dont need us to point out the foolishness of celtics ways.

[gunslinger 270]

No, it's the ''continue ignoring it because it was already going away'' strategy.

going away? one of their players accused scottish referees of a general bias agains celtc yesterday.

in what sense is it going away.

[gunslinger 270]

How? The SFA all but ignored Celtics bleating. Why throw fuel on a dying fire?

ignored it by having a meeting with them yesterday?

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

going away? one of their players accused scottish referees of a general bias agains celtc yesterday.

in what sense is it going away.

Yep, and he'll get ignored by the SFA and slated by the Press. It has nothing - NOTHING - to do with Rangers so why do we need to get involved?