Richard Scudamore continues backtracking, covering over his and the Premier League's trails, in an increasingly desperate attempt to emerge from the various scandals that slosh around his/their ankles with a modicom of professionalism still in place.
Having only supported the publication of the Quest inquiry after the arrest of the still unknown 61 year old in May for money laundering, Scudamore has lost more control of the whole bungs process with the City of London police raids on Glasgow Rangers, Newcastle United and Portsmouth. He cannot be awaiting any future developments with anything other than trepidation.
Furthermore, Scudamore is more than compromised by the West Ham United/MSI/Carlos Tevez saga. The double-jointed posturing of the Premier League has not only created a situation of pure farce in East London but has also established a confrontational negotiation battle when a more conciliatory structure could easily have been implemented. Having allowed West Ham United to remain in the Premiership without the points deduction that everybody on the planet appears to feel was a just punishment (Scudamore and West Ham excepted), the Premier League could only justify its position by declaring the third party agreements null and void. The short-termism of this strategy was swiftly realised when Tevez wished to move on to Man Utd. Did Scudamore just assume that his and the Premier League's repeated departures from the truth would disappear from the public's perception? The only route out of appearing ridiculously foolish is now a hidden agreement reached out of court between the various parties in this absolutely-not-three-party arrangement. Merely undertaking their role in these third party discussions totally undermines the self-policing of the Premier League and the original justification for allowing the Hammers to retain their Premiership place. And this is Scudamore's best option...
Rather than hob-nobbing with the gambling good in Hong Kong, Richard Scudamore would have been better employed at his desk addressing both the West Ham situation and the increasingly awkward Thaksin Shinawatra soap. We have itemised over numerous recent posts the reasonings why Thaksin is not a fit and proper person to own a Premiership football club (even if this club is Manchester City). The Premier League have repeatedly offered no obstacles to the conveyor belt of disturbing takeovers that have littered the English game over the last three years.
Today, Scudamore attempted to justify the allowance of Thaksin's takeover following concerns raised by both Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI). HRW wrote to the Premier League claiming that Shinawatra is "a human rights abuser of the worst kind" and that he should not have passed the league's 'fit and proper person' test. AI added that "if the Premier League wants to take any of that [human rights violations] into account when making their decisions, we're happy to make our documents available to them". As the HRW allegations and evidence of murder/torture are to be aired on BBC Five Live this evening, the Premier League was forced into a response. This response makes interesting reading: "It is important to realise that the Premier League takes its responsibilities surrounding the governance of its clubs very seriously. We have very clear rules on the ownership of our clubs, which include the Fit and Proper Persons Test (FAPPT), which go beyond any requirement by UK company law and are, to our knowledge, some of the sternest in place in any UK industry. The FAPPT means anyone convicted of a range of offences would not be permitted to become a director, or a shadow director, at a club".
A few points arising from this reply. Firstly, the point about shadow director is clearly being overlooked with respect to the position at Portsmouth where Alexandre Gaydamak controls the club as a shadow for his father, Arcadi, who is prevented from travelling to Europe due to a French arrest warrant for illegal arms dealing. By initialising the pretence that Alexandre is in control, the Premier League attempts to avoid the charges of either FAPPT or shadow issues being compromised. Secondly, the requirements in other industry sectors are of no significance. Premiership football is in a unique position which requires very specific legal and regulatory structures if the sport is to avoid, even at this late stage, the inexorable slide towards being merely a gambling sport. The fact that the Premiership is already directly linked with the illegal and liquid Far East betting markets enforces a very particular role for the guardians of the game.
The Premier League is repeatedly failing to look after the interests of anyone but the people with fat wallets. As Chief Executive of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore must take responsibility when the game is repeatedly falling into disrepute. And all this is before the inevitable betting scandal that must break the surface at some point soon...
© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Friday, 20 July 2007
Betting Baron Buys Birmingham
As the takeover of the Premiership by individuals, partnerships or consortia with either previous or strategic betting market plans continues apace, today we take a look at "mysterious" Carson Yeung who this week increased his stake in Birmingham City to just under 30%.
Okay lets look at a few of the known facts about Hong Kong-based businessman Yeung.
Firstly, he allegedly made his money trading penny stocks which is simply not a feasible route to billionaire status.
Secondly, until he bought a 16.67% stake in Grandtop International Holdings, he was never on the records of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Indeed, Mr Invisible only really burst on to the scene in 2004 when he co-founded Greek Mythology, a Macau based casino that was known at the time to have close links to the underground and illegal Far East betting markets.
Thirdly, Yeung has some interesting associates. It came as no surprise that Stevie McManaman (who has, incidentally, never been anywhere near the global betting markets at any point in his long and "illustrious" career) was approached for being in charge of the day to day matters as Yeung launches his bid to take the club private and away from regulator's eyes.
Fourthly, how does a hairdresser create assets of over a billion pounds? Are perms particularly expensive in Hong Kong?
Fifthly, Steve Bruce is urgently seeking a meeting with Yeung and the absence of his inclusion in the takeover process to date would suggest that his days at Brum are numbered.
Sixthly, this is the tenth takeover in the Premiership that has resulted in club ownership being based on implementing a global betting strategy with respect to the individual clubs games.
Seventhly, Yeung's previous foray into ownership of a footie club was disastrous. He took over Hong Kong Rangers but his control lasted merely three games as he insisted on interfering in team selection matters.
Eighthly, the man has form even when one just chooses to judge his business activities away from the black market. In 2004, Yeung ran into trouble with the Hong Kong authorities and was prosecuted by the local financial regulator for failing to disclose his holdings in a company but was only ordered to pay a small fine.
Ninthly, the other potential bidding protagonist for Birmingham is equally cuddly Lakshmi Mittal who specialises in outrageous hostile takeovers and is even richer than Yeung. This battle may have more mileage in it.
As more and more clubs have gone private to avoid having to disclose financial strategies, profit and loss accounts and taxation issues to the financial markets, the likelihood of offshore activities in the underground Asian markets has inexorably increased. Jingoism has reared its ugly head throughout this process with the most fuss being generated by, firstly, the wave of dodgy Americans and, then, the recent Asian bids. A similar reaction to the takeover of Newcastle by Mike Ashley was remarkable through its absence.
The lack of action by the Premiership and, to a lesser extent, the FA is a complete disgrace. These faceless individuals have the stewardship of our great game in their hands and they insist on selling the game out to the very worst of the market sector participants - global betting market traders and bookmakers from Britain, Gibraltar, Israel, America, Russia and the Far East.
Mainstream media comment? Forget it. History is only written by the victors and contemporary press is only written by the acquiescent and edited by the corrupt.
I'll leave the final word to the billionaire barber: "I don't have any politics and I only want to buy for interest because I love football". If one were to exchange the word "football" for "money", this whole sorry episode would be more logical.
© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
Okay lets look at a few of the known facts about Hong Kong-based businessman Yeung.
Firstly, he allegedly made his money trading penny stocks which is simply not a feasible route to billionaire status.
Secondly, until he bought a 16.67% stake in Grandtop International Holdings, he was never on the records of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Indeed, Mr Invisible only really burst on to the scene in 2004 when he co-founded Greek Mythology, a Macau based casino that was known at the time to have close links to the underground and illegal Far East betting markets.
Thirdly, Yeung has some interesting associates. It came as no surprise that Stevie McManaman (who has, incidentally, never been anywhere near the global betting markets at any point in his long and "illustrious" career) was approached for being in charge of the day to day matters as Yeung launches his bid to take the club private and away from regulator's eyes.
Fourthly, how does a hairdresser create assets of over a billion pounds? Are perms particularly expensive in Hong Kong?
Fifthly, Steve Bruce is urgently seeking a meeting with Yeung and the absence of his inclusion in the takeover process to date would suggest that his days at Brum are numbered.
Sixthly, this is the tenth takeover in the Premiership that has resulted in club ownership being based on implementing a global betting strategy with respect to the individual clubs games.
Seventhly, Yeung's previous foray into ownership of a footie club was disastrous. He took over Hong Kong Rangers but his control lasted merely three games as he insisted on interfering in team selection matters.
Eighthly, the man has form even when one just chooses to judge his business activities away from the black market. In 2004, Yeung ran into trouble with the Hong Kong authorities and was prosecuted by the local financial regulator for failing to disclose his holdings in a company but was only ordered to pay a small fine.
Ninthly, the other potential bidding protagonist for Birmingham is equally cuddly Lakshmi Mittal who specialises in outrageous hostile takeovers and is even richer than Yeung. This battle may have more mileage in it.
As more and more clubs have gone private to avoid having to disclose financial strategies, profit and loss accounts and taxation issues to the financial markets, the likelihood of offshore activities in the underground Asian markets has inexorably increased. Jingoism has reared its ugly head throughout this process with the most fuss being generated by, firstly, the wave of dodgy Americans and, then, the recent Asian bids. A similar reaction to the takeover of Newcastle by Mike Ashley was remarkable through its absence.
The lack of action by the Premiership and, to a lesser extent, the FA is a complete disgrace. These faceless individuals have the stewardship of our great game in their hands and they insist on selling the game out to the very worst of the market sector participants - global betting market traders and bookmakers from Britain, Gibraltar, Israel, America, Russia and the Far East.
Mainstream media comment? Forget it. History is only written by the victors and contemporary press is only written by the acquiescent and edited by the corrupt.
I'll leave the final word to the billionaire barber: "I don't have any politics and I only want to buy for interest because I love football". If one were to exchange the word "football" for "money", this whole sorry episode would be more logical.
© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Enter The Fall Guys
Being in Glasgow on the day that Ibrox is raided by the City of London Police is, as a Celtic fan, a proper grin. The fact that Newcastle, Souness and Portsmouth are also being rightfully and properly investigated only adds to a general air of slightly malicious good humour. Undoubtedly, the raids are scratching the surface of the corruption endemic in the English and, to a lesser extent, the British game. And, yet, the particular clubs and individuals that are in the public eye as a result of these police raids, the Quest Inquiry and the Premier League's targeting of selective individuals are merely selected operators in relation to the core of this corruption.
The transfer of Jean-Alain Boumsong is an indication of the degree to which characters like Souness and Redknapp together with the bigger clubs feel that they are effectively above the law. To have conducted a transfer that was so obviously a stitch-up, Rangers and Souness must have made the assessment that they were untouchable. The player was available for £8.2million having joined Rangers just six months earlier on a free transfer. But even more revealingly, Newcastle were well aware of Boumsong prior to his departure from Auxerre because Bobby Robson (the manager at Newcastle prior to Souness) had travelled to France to watch him. Robson declined the opportunity to sign the centre-half, even on a free transfer, and his doubts about Boumsong's suitability for British football were confirmed when the club's England striker Alan Shearer was marked by Boumsong in a pre-season game against Rangers and came off to speak in dismissive terms about the Frenchman's lack of physicality. How much of this £8.2 million found its way into Souness' bank accounts? One cannot help but recollect the comments of Souness on Sky to the effect that the English game is "the most honest in the world".
Harry Redknapp similarly possesses a sense of belief in his indestructibility. His inappropriate closeness to bookmaking operations, the horseracing industry and Sky Television allows him to feel a protective shield against regulatory and public observations of his financial endeavours. We would suggest anybody with any doubt with regard to Redknapp's modus operandi to do the mathematics related to his business assets in comparison with his stated earnings as a mid-tier average football manager.
Pleasurable though it has been over this summer break to see the likes of Souness, Zahavi, Joorabchian, Redknapp and Poll slither around in cesspools of their own creation, these characters are either disposable or are a distance from the core of the corruption or they are well enough protected by their own security operations to be dismissive of the progressions in their realities.
Entirely conspicuous by their absence from any of these summer upheavals has been the bookmaking industry and the new breed of hyper owners who are targeting the global betting markets as their financial strategy for growth. It is a typical feature of anti-corruption campaigns for the lesser fish to be netted (and, often, let off, think Scoober Libby for example) while the true manipulators continue with their corruption away from the gaze of the regulators. Indeed, the system establishes concentric circles of fall guys that allows the most dangerous operators their anonymity in person and strategy. This structure is replicated across politics, business and the criminal underworld as well as the game of football. The manner in which the bookmaking companies were able to hijack the inquiry into the "death" of Bob Woolmer is a typical ruse.
Still, we should enjoy our small victories while we can. The next season in the Premiership is going to be several orders of magnitude worse than anything that has gone before. And the recent seasons have been bad enough.
It will be intriguing to see how much time Mr Redknapp spends on his mobile with his hand covering his mouth in the early games of the season - there were games last season (Arsenal at the Emirates, for instance) where the phone was permanently in use.
Perhaps the spread firms could start offering markets for Redknapp's mobile phone minutes in running!
© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
The transfer of Jean-Alain Boumsong is an indication of the degree to which characters like Souness and Redknapp together with the bigger clubs feel that they are effectively above the law. To have conducted a transfer that was so obviously a stitch-up, Rangers and Souness must have made the assessment that they were untouchable. The player was available for £8.2million having joined Rangers just six months earlier on a free transfer. But even more revealingly, Newcastle were well aware of Boumsong prior to his departure from Auxerre because Bobby Robson (the manager at Newcastle prior to Souness) had travelled to France to watch him. Robson declined the opportunity to sign the centre-half, even on a free transfer, and his doubts about Boumsong's suitability for British football were confirmed when the club's England striker Alan Shearer was marked by Boumsong in a pre-season game against Rangers and came off to speak in dismissive terms about the Frenchman's lack of physicality. How much of this £8.2 million found its way into Souness' bank accounts? One cannot help but recollect the comments of Souness on Sky to the effect that the English game is "the most honest in the world".
Harry Redknapp similarly possesses a sense of belief in his indestructibility. His inappropriate closeness to bookmaking operations, the horseracing industry and Sky Television allows him to feel a protective shield against regulatory and public observations of his financial endeavours. We would suggest anybody with any doubt with regard to Redknapp's modus operandi to do the mathematics related to his business assets in comparison with his stated earnings as a mid-tier average football manager.
Pleasurable though it has been over this summer break to see the likes of Souness, Zahavi, Joorabchian, Redknapp and Poll slither around in cesspools of their own creation, these characters are either disposable or are a distance from the core of the corruption or they are well enough protected by their own security operations to be dismissive of the progressions in their realities.
Entirely conspicuous by their absence from any of these summer upheavals has been the bookmaking industry and the new breed of hyper owners who are targeting the global betting markets as their financial strategy for growth. It is a typical feature of anti-corruption campaigns for the lesser fish to be netted (and, often, let off, think Scoober Libby for example) while the true manipulators continue with their corruption away from the gaze of the regulators. Indeed, the system establishes concentric circles of fall guys that allows the most dangerous operators their anonymity in person and strategy. This structure is replicated across politics, business and the criminal underworld as well as the game of football. The manner in which the bookmaking companies were able to hijack the inquiry into the "death" of Bob Woolmer is a typical ruse.
Still, we should enjoy our small victories while we can. The next season in the Premiership is going to be several orders of magnitude worse than anything that has gone before. And the recent seasons have been bad enough.
It will be intriguing to see how much time Mr Redknapp spends on his mobile with his hand covering his mouth in the early games of the season - there were games last season (Arsenal at the Emirates, for instance) where the phone was permanently in use.
Perhaps the spread firms could start offering markets for Redknapp's mobile phone minutes in running!
© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
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