Coronavirus pandemic (2020)

Incidents, Events & Controversies | About Celtic

Details

aka: Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, Covid
Ref: Suspension of the football matches in season 2019/20 (began around March 2020)
Dates: 2020 Q1; football suspension began March 2020, Society lockdown began March 2020
End of restrictions: Aug 2021, but restrictions brought in again later and wound down in 2002H1

Summary

‘Football is a religion for Celtic fans and they’ll miss it’
Ryan Christie on postponement of matches in March 2020 (2020)

Coronavirus pandemic (2020) - The Celtic WikiIt’s already been noted on this site in various articles that we all can agree that football is not more important than life & death. As the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp put it once “Football is the most important of the least important things” (you can agree with that or not to whatever degree you wish). We love football and can argue its relative ranking in our lives, for many reading this article on this site, it rates highly, but some events mean that football is forced down the pecking order, and one of those events was with the tragic COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect the lungs and airways, and is caused by a virus called coronavirus. The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath, and for the more vulnerable in society it can lead to a premature death.

The disease originated in China and spread fast across the entire world, leading to border closures, people forced to work from home, isolation of people and so on. Sadly many have died from the disease, RIP. A fuller discussion & analysis on coronavirus is left to a more appropriate forum.

Our condolences to all those who have lost family, friends and colleagues through those days. RIP.

Scottish football
Scotland was not immune, and cases began to come to light around February/March 2020. The UK government was sadly slow and not as proactive as others across the globe but fell into line and enacted stringent measures.

Sporting, political & social events were cancelled en mass across the globe, and inevitably this would hit Scottish football too. Even the Tokyo Olympics were postponed.

In March 2020, just a few days before the key third Celtic v Sevco league match of the season, all Scottish football matches were postponed. Admittedly at first the SFA were a mess and did not timely delay the matches but were going ahead, but as all else across Europe & even in the UK were postponing or cancelling their fixtures, the SFA followed suit. The general Scottish public agreed and there was pressure from football fans to cancel the games. The first Scottish victim of the pandemic occurred just a day or two after the football match suspension.

Celtic at this point were comfortably 13pts ahead in the league (albeit Sevco had a game in hand) with just nine league games left to play. Similarly in England, Liverpool also had a near impassable lead in their league title challenge (their first league title for 30 years). Some groups were trying to have the leagues annulled (mostly for their own ends, e.g. Sevco). Celtic were going for a history equalling nine-in-a-row league titles, and an unprecedented fourth treble in a row.

Concerns were growing for the survival of many smaller clubs as lost gate receipts were vital for their existence, and after the usual melodrama with the voting, the leagues were ended early with only Sevco & relegation threatened Hearts in the top tier against. It was the right thing to do, so that prize money could be distributed to help and so planning for next season could begin which could start afresh.

One Sevco fan called up Clyde one phone in so incensed at the Scottish League’s majority decision to end league’s early (Belgian league was first) that he was stated he was to boycott all Hampden events (which would include a Beyonce concert). We all laughed.

Sevco tried to make themselves relevant questioning processes at the SFA, and called for resignations, but they were all in the wrong, and resoundingly defeated in democratic votes across the structures.

As was practical, the SPFL ended the league campaign and so Celtic were crowned league champions & Hearts relegated. Celebrations were sadly limited to online social media, with Celtic achieving the record nine league titles in a row for 2019/20. An incredible achievement, followed up by completing the unbelievable quadruple-treble in delayed Scottish Cup final in Dec 2020.

However, the 2020/21 season was a disaster and saw Celtic surrender the league title without much of a fight, and the team collapsed, with manager Neil Lennon belatedly cut from his role as the manager. It was a season to forget both on the field as well as off the field.

The new season 2021/22 began and timed with the ending/loosening of restrictions, with a welcome return of full stadia for fans.

Society may have returned back to some kind of normality as priior to the shutdowns, but there was now a change in working life, for discussion beyond this summary.

To all those who lost loved ones during this time, our sincere condolences. RIP.

Timeline notes

  • 13 Mar 2020 – Football suspended in Scotland
  • March 2020 – Ex-Celt Artur Boruc isolated due to contact with team mate who has symptoms.
  • March 2020 – Lockdown in UK enacted
  • March 2020 – Celtic FC: “We have already established a Football for Good Fund which is in the process of distributing £175,000 to vulnerable people affected by this crisis and will continue to do all we can to offer as much support as possible.”
  • 28 Mar 2020 – Ex-Celt Andy Ritchie reveals he has the virus and his body is ‘crippled’. We wished him the best. (post-note: he came thru it, thankfully, and some reports on side saying tabloids over-egged it, which is quite despicable).
  • 01 Apr 2020 – Celtic have, in a statement, ensured that the members of staff on furlough will still receive their full salary with the club making up the difference from the scheme.
  • 06 Apr 2020 – Following the serious misrepresentation of Celtic FC, The Herald newspaper made the following apology to the Club.“On our front page promotion for a column on Saturday, we stated ‘Celtic cutting non-playing staff’s money shows how far football has lost its soul’. “We are happy to clarify that Celtic have not cut any non-playing staff’s money. All staff on the Government’s job retention scheme are having their salaries paid in full by Celtic. We apologise to Celtic for our error.”
  • 06 Apr 2020 – Celtic make clear publicly they want the season’s remaining league matches to finish, pulling the rug from under the feet of those claiming Celtic are trying to close the season early as Celtic are on top at present. The Belgians have though already ended their league early and made the leading side the champions.
  • April 2020 – Green Brigade group have delivered hundreds of NHS hampers to those in need. Much respect to them and all others who are also doing similar to help those in need in our community.
  • April 2020 – UK PM ends up in intensive care due to COVID-19.
  • April 2020 – Celtic League/Pro-14 rugby annul their competitions, nobody cares. Later Glasgow Rugby coach states the title should have been awarded correctly to Leinster, but Edinburgh disagree. Shows that not all was rosy there either.
  • 07 Apr 2020 – Sevco first-team squad and the club’s executive directors have volunteered to take a reported 50 per cent salary deferral for the next three months as the club bids to come to terms with the lack of income due to the shutdown of football caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
  • 09 Apr 2020 – Celtic announce the club’s Chief Executive, Manager, non-executive directors, executive team, and backroom staff, including Academy and Football Operation executives, have volunteered to take a significant reduction in salaries and make deferrals of a significant proportion of their earnings.
  • 10 Apr 2020 – Ex-Celt Kenny Dalglish diagnosed with COVID-19 (but thankfully came thru it)
  • 10 Apr 2020 – Scottish league teams meet to push for early termination of the season, one Championship club holding all up. Sevco & Hearts in top tier are against it with some laughable public statements from Sevco.
  • 15 Apr 2020 – The 2019-20 Scottish Football League season is over after Dundee voted yes to an SPFL resolution after a lot of dramas and comical Sevco statements. It means Dundee United are declared Championship winners, with Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers champions of Leagues One and Two respectively. Celtic expected to be awarded league as can’t see matches going ahead even behind closed doors. Scottish Cup likely cancelled now.
  • 16 Apr 2020 – Sevco declared they will consider “all legal options” open to them in order to challenge the SPFL’s controversial resolution vote and to ensure the 2019-20 Premiership season is played to a finish on the pitch. The Ibrox club have condemned the passing of the SPFL board’s proposal to end the campaign, describing it as “deeply flawed”. Sour grapes an attempt more to make themselves just look relevant.
  • 19 Apr 2020 – Hibs chief Leeann Dempster has warned a meteor is heading towards Scottish football. It follows the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggesting it will be difficult for football to even return behind closed doors anytime soon.
  • 20 Apr 2020 – SPFL plan to crown Celtic champions is premature warns Uefa chief. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has insisted it is still too soon for top flight leagues to call time on their 2019-20 seasons, casting significant doubt on the SPFL’s plan to crown Celtic champions and relegate Hearts this month.
  • 22 Apr 2020 – Uefa has opened the door to domestic league and cup competitions being cancelled “in special cases” due to the coronavirus pandemic. It paved the way in Scotland for Celtic to be declared champions and for Hearts to be relegated, pending potential reconstruction of the leagues in time for next season.
  • 1 May 2020 – Sevco fans claim they found a smoking gun to show that Celtic former board member Dominic Keane had paid £50,000 in the days after the SPFL vote. Problem is that the gormless fools were taken in as a Celtic fan had made up a fake invoice showing that Dundee had been paid £50,000 in the days after the SPFL vote. Gormless-Gate as some called it, and all outwith of Ibrox laughed at them. They’d made a huge deal of this (see article below).
  • May 2020 – Pandemonium in Scottish football, worst melodramas in sport. Sevco release a dossier of supposed questioning of decisions, only for it to be a damp squid. SPFL refute this all, and Celtic rightly keep their counsel on this one.
  • May 2020 – Reconstruction voted against, meaning Hearts to be relegated. Hearts pushed for expansion.
  • 12 May 2020 – Sevco/Hearts/ICT: another unanimous vote defeat in their attempt to force an independent inquiry into the SPFL’s handling of the resolution to bring the season in the lower leagues to an early conclusion.
    • Celtic: “This current crisis is the fault of no individual or organisation and it would be irrational to suggest otherwise. It is the duty of everyone committed to the future of our game to make the best of this awful situation, and not the worst.” Celtic FC
    • “Peter Lawwell defended the SPFL executive during the 42-club ‘Zoom’ conference and said that, after waiting four weeks for it, the Ibrox club’s dossier of evidence on alleged wrongdoing had been “embarrassing”. ” (The Times)
  • 18 May 2020 – SPFL have ended the league campaign: Celtic crowned champions / Hearts relegated.
    Ladbrokes Premiership and SPFL Season 2019/20 curtailed as Premiership clubs reach unanimous agreement that top flight cannot be finished.
  • Late May 2020 – German Bundesliga starts up
  • 3 June 2020 – SPL & Sky TV agreed deal for all season ticket holders that for all games they can’t see due to lockdown etc next season they will be able to watch for ‘free’ on club media platforms.
  • June 2020 – EPL games to start up
  • 16 July 2020 – Celtic’s first game since lockdown: Nice 1-1 Celtic (Friendly)
  • 20 July 2020 – Hearts & Partick Thistle fail in their attempts to reverse relegation.
  • 26 July 2020 Celtic’s first home game since lockdown: Celtic 2-0 Ross County (Friendly) – played behind closed doors
  • 2 Aug 2020 – Celtic finally play their first competitive game: Celtic v Hamilton league opener
  • 8 Aug 202 – Aberdeen game v St Johnstone called off due to Covid-19. Two Aberdeen players tested positive for Covid-19 and a further 6 ordered to self-isolate after coming into close contact with one of them. Told they must play their match against St Johnstone on Saturday.
  • 10 Aug 2020 – Bolingoli: broke strict quarantine rules with secret trip to Spain before playing against Kilmarnock without club knowledge and failed to quarantine on his return. The Scottish government said it could call a halt to Scottish football. Disaster and unbelievable irresponsible behaviour.
    FM Nicola Sturgeon pushed for postponement of Celtic & Aberdeen games, and the next two games for both sides were postponed! Shambles all because of selfishness from Boli. Celtic board & manager very furious in public statements, and the wider Celtic support is livid.
  • 18 Aug 2020 – Celtic’s first game after two match postponement, and first European game since lockdown started.
  • 12 Sep 2020 – Test matches – 300 fans are allowed to watch two games in Scotland this weekend: Ross County v Celtic, and the Aberdeen game: The club’s code of conduct says: No singing, chanting or shouting ; No standing ; No pies ; No throwing the ball back to players – must be sanitised first! It’s football… but not as we know it
  • 22 Sep 2020 – After increasing lockdown measures in certain part of Scotland and the rest of the UK, greater measures were brought in across the UK, postponing plans to allow fans back to the grounds on a regular basis.
  • 7 Oct 2020 – Celtic player Edouard diagnosed with Covid whilst away with France U21s. Isolated for own sake as is mandatory.
  • 7 Oct 2020 – Scotland confirmed Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie will have to self-isolate for 14 days after coming into contact with Stuart Armstrong who tested positive for COVID-19. Expected to miss match v Sevco. Kieran Tierney had returned a positive test for Coronavirus two months ago but was asymptomatic as he carried out the required ten-day isolation period.
  • 10-12 Oct 2020 – Celtic players Bitton & Elhamed contracts COVID-19 putting them out of contention for big match v Sevco on 17 Oct 2020.
  • 26 Oct 2020 – Two AC Milan players who played v Celtic in the Europa league give positive Covid results
  • Nov 2020 – New transfer David Turnbull out due to contracting Covid on time with Scotland U21s.
  • Dec 2020 – UK Govt authorises rollout release of Pfizer vaccine to begin.
  • Dec 2020 – New strains in the UK, tougher lockdowns in force regionally, inc all of mainland Scotland. ‘R’ Rate all up and so on.
  • Dec 2020 – In England, Man City v Everton game called off due to Covid cases. Calls begin for new shutdown of all football fixtures in England.
  • Dec 2020 – Celtic win delayed Scottish Cup final, and complete the quadruple treble! Incredible achievement.
  • Jan 2021 – Celtic players go on Dubai trip for winter getaway training. All under heavy criticism from even govt, but no rules were broken and all was checked and cleared.
  • Jan 2021 – Celtic v Hibs: Celtic without at least 13 players plus three members of staff after a large section of the first-team squad were ordered into self-isolation. The instruction from health authorities comes after one Celtic player, confirmed as defender Christopher Jullien, tested positive for coronavirus following the club’s return from a mid-season training camp in Dubai. Gavin Strachan strictly in charge on the sidelines.The list of Celtic players #isolating are as followed: Barkas; Hazard; Ajer; Ralston; Brown; Soro; Turnbull; Connell; Ajeti; Laxalt; Ntcham; Griffiths; Edouard. Celtic drop 4pts out of 6 in these two matches.
  • Jan 2021: Second player from Dubai trip gets Covid belatedly from that trip. All fans are up in arms, and the Chief Exec makes a public apology over the Dubai trip.
  • Feb 2021: Vaccine being rolled out; Celtic lose their manager who resigns after disastrous season to date.
  • May 2021: Celtic end season with no silverware and no fans still at matches. Various sports allowing limited number at games presently.
  • May 2021: Sevco fans cause mass havoc in Glasgow City Centre despite told no mass gatherings.
  • July 2021: Euros held across Europe, restricted attendances in Glasgow & elsewhere but full stadium allowed for the final in London.
  • July 2021: Restrictions to be removed across Scotland & the rest of the UK.
  • August 2021: Limited numbers and then full access for fans back to Celtic Park allowed. Full capacity crowds permitted at Celtic Park from, August 9 onwards.
  • 15 Aug 2021: Celtic 3-2 Hearts (League Cup) – No Hearts away fans despite return of capacity crowds, due to the need for ‘red zones’ within the stadium, with some seats remaining closed off in order to maintain player and staff bubbles. Disappointing to hear as both home & away fans needed at games.
  • 9 Sep 2021: Vaccination Passports: Law change requires sports fans attending large stadia to prove vaccination against Covid-19 Scottish sport fans heading to Hampden, Murrayfield and several other stadia around the country will have to show proof of their vaccination against COVID-19.
  • December 2021: Booster jabs (third shot) is made available to all. Numbers affected by new strain of Omicron variance is causing concerns as new restrictions are brought in.
  • March 2022: Restrictions wind down in England, and slowly in Scotland over the next month or so.

Articles

Coronavirus in Scotland: Scottish football season SUSPENDED until further notice

An emergency meeting of the SFA / SPFL Joint Response Group took place this morning
By Patrick McPartlin
Friday, 13th March 2020, 12:35 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/coronavirus-scotland-scottish-football-season-suspended-until-further-notice-2449463
All domestic professional and grassroots football in Scotland has been suspended until further notice.

The decision was taken by the Scottish FA board following a meeting of the SFA / SPFL Joint Response Group on Friday morning.

A statement read: “The Joint Response Group can confirm the decision of the Scottish FA Board to suspend ALL domestic professional and grassroots football under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA until further notice.

“As a result, the SPFL has announced the postponement of this weekend’s and following midweek’s fixtures, starting with tonight’s Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen and the Championship match between Queen of the South and Ayr United.

“The Scottish FA and SPFL will continue to liaise with governments and UEFA in relation to domestic, European and International fixtures in the coming days and more information will be communicated at the appropriate time.

“The Scottish FA Board made its decision in the interests of the health and safety of players, match officials, staff, supporters and the general public.”

SFA chief Ian Maxwell added: “Since the guidance outlined by governments last night we have been engaged in extensive dialogue to clarify the position and implications of that guidance for Scottish football.

“Today’s announcement is made in the interests of public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game. This is of paramount importance as the country enters the ‘delay’ phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is also why the Scottish FA is compelled to ensure that the suspension is cascaded through the non-professional and grassroots games until further notice.”

League chief Neil Doncaster said: “As everyone knows, this is a fast-moving and unprecedented situation for the entire country.

“We have been in intensive and detailed discussions since last night and have also been taking on board the experience of our counterparts in England and across Europe. As a result, the board of the SPFL has agreed this morning that all league fixtures this weekend and next midweek will be postponed until further notice.

“The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount. We have not yet had any confirmed cases of Coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time.

“We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.”

UEFA has already postponed all of next week’s Europa League and Champions League fixtures, including Rangers’ trip to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen, while PFA Scotland has expressed concern at the prospect of games being played behind closed doors, insisting the welfare of players should come first.

Coronavirus pandemic (2020) - The Celtic Wiki

Celtic Football Club statement

http://www.celticfc.net/news/17911
By: Newsroom Staff on 10 Apr, 2020 14:39

CELTIC Football Club today confirmed that a package of measures has been agreed with staff and players which will help the club to come through the current coronavirus crisis on a stable basis while ensuring that the rights and interests of all colleagues are safeguarded.

For the period April-June, the club’s Chief Executive, Manager, non-executive directors, executive team, and backroom staff, including Academy and Football Operation executives, have volunteered to take a significant reduction in salaries and make deferrals of a significant proportion of their earnings.

Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “I would like to pay tribute to Neil and the players for their desire to play their part and the outcomes achieved. I am also grateful to my own executive team for the commitment they have devoted to this outcome in very difficult working circumstances and also their own willingness to play a part in the measures adopted.

“I am extremely appreciative of the willingness of everyone concerned, to recognise the practical difficulties which this awful crisis has created. Celtic are in a strong financial position but we are not immune to this unique set of circumstances.

“Our club is built on a great collective spirit and we are acutely aware of our responsibilities to colleagues, supporters and society as a whole. The fact that we can announce this package of measures in a spirit of harmony is testimony to the unity which exists within the club and will carry us into the future.

“We will negotiate and overcome these unprecedented times of challenge with continued teamwork and support for each other and I would like to thank our fans for the continued support which they give to the Club. Our togetherness is our strength.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those people, across so many areas of life, who are so bravely doing all they can to keep us safe and well. Everyone at Celtic applauds this monumental effort.”

Neil Lennon said: “This club is all about teamwork and solidarity, on and off the park. We are well aware of the economic realities and are very willing to play our part in recognising them. We will come through this in unity and then look forward to the challenges ahead.

“We also know that many within society, including our own support, are facing distress and, in some cases, tragedy. Everyone at Celtic Football Club, including the players and my own backroom team, expresses our appreciation of the work being done by NHS staff, carers and all who are providing vital public services at this time.”

The package of measures will apply from April to June, to be reviewed thereafter.

Celtic Football Club statement

By: Newsroom Staff on 12 May, 2020 15:41
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CELTIC Football Club welcomes the decisive vote by SPFL clubs to reject a lawyer-led inquiry into the processes relating to the resolution approved last month with support from the vast majority of clubs.

We are satisfied that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the board or executive and do not consider that such an inquiry is necessary.

We now appeal to all clubs to look to the future in the knowledge that the threats which exist to the fabric of Scottish football are grave and unprecedented. All of our energies should be applied to planning for the return of the game in season 2020-21 and to the financial survival of all our clubs.

This current crisis is the fault of no individual or organisation and it would be irrational to suggest otherwise. It is the duty of everyone committed to the future of our game to make the best of this awful situation, and not the worst.

We greatly regret the denigration of named individuals who have, on every occasion, acted upon decisions which were made by the board of the SPFL, representing all 42 clubs. The board and executive of the SPFL have operated under circumstances of unique difficulty in dealing with challenges of an unprecedented nature.

Although Celtic are not directly involved in issues of promotion and relegation, we have great sympathy for clubs which will end up in a lower division. While we have been supportive of temporary reconstruction, Celtic also understands the position of clubs who do not support league reconstruction at this time.

We recognise the hugely damaging effects that measures to counter the pandemic are inflicting on football clubs of all sizes across Scotland, Europe and beyond. It is the duty of everyone with the interests of football at heart to work for the greater good of securing the future of our sport.

In that spirit, Celtic will play our part in ensuring the earliest possible safe return to something approaching normality. Our highest priority is the safety of our players and supporters and we are acutely aware that Scottish football’s current difficulties represent only a tiny part of the challenges faced by society as a whole.

SPFL Clubs Reject Call For Inquiry

Tuesday 12th May 2020

Resolution Rejected in All Three Voting Sections, Less Than One Third of All Clubs Vote in Favour

SPFL clubs have voted to reject a resolution by Hearts, Rangers and Stranraer to hold an independent inquiry into last month’s directors written resolution.

The resolution today required at least 75% of votes in each of the three voting sections (Ladbrokes Premiership / Championship / League 1 & 2) to succeed. However, less than one third of all clubs voted in favour.

All 42 clubs cast their ballots, with 13 in favour, 27 against and two abstentions.

In the Ladbrokes Premiership, where nine clubs would have been required to vote in favour, a total of four clubs (33%) supported the resolution, with eight clubs (67%) opposing it.

In the Ladbrokes Championship, where eight clubs would have been required to vote in favour, a total of one club (10%) supported the resolution, with nine clubs (90%) opposing it.

In Ladbrokes Leagues One and Two, where 15 clubs would have been required to vote in favour, a total of eight clubs (40%) supported the resolution, with ten clubs (50%) opposing it and two clubs (10%) abstaining.

Speaking shortly after today’s EGM, which was held via video conference with clubs casting their ballots electronically, SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan urged all clubs to respect the democratic process and unite behind efforts to restart football as soon as could be done safely.

He said: “The last few weeks have been bruising ones for many people in our game. Far too many words have been spoken and written which have sown anger and division amongst clubs. That is a matter of the deepest regret to very many people in our game, myself included.

“I know those who proposed this resolution will be disappointed, but I trust that everyone involved, on both sides of this argument, will now respect the clear, democratic and decisive result we have seen today and allow our game to move forward together. The overwhelming majority of clubs voted to oppose this resolution and it’s now incumbent on all clubs to put their differences aside, otherwise we will all suffer together.

“I have taken careful note of the concerns expressed by the minority of clubs which voted in favour and when we are back to playing football in a safe environment, I will bring clubs together to discuss the lessons learned.

“Every single one of us understands that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought huge challenges for our game, which we must overcome soon if we are to save all 42 clubs and restart the sport we all love.

“That is a daunting prospect in its own right – one of the gravest our sport has faced and it’s no exaggeration to say that it threatens the very existence of many of the SPFL’s clubs if we get it wrong.

“If Scottish football is to survive this, we simply must unite and use the enormous talents, resources and creativity at our collective disposal to rescue our game.

“Time is short. In reality, we must do everything humanly possible to get games back up and running by the end of July.

“We simply cannot afford the distraction of further infighting or legal challenges.

“I’m sure we can all agree that the quicker we get back to playing football, the better.”

Back to news

THE CELTIC FAN’S EXECUTION OF GORMLESS-GATE SHOWS SEVCO SOCIAL MEDIA AT ITS WORST.

https://thecelticblog.com/2020/05/blogs/the-celtic-fans-execution-of-gormless-gate-shows-sevco-social-media-at-its-worst/
Date: 1st May 2020 at 1:47pm
Written by: James Forrest
I took my time considering what to call Sevco social media’s latest embarrassment.
I had a lot of possible names for it, but Gormless-gate works for me.
It sums them up perfectly.
It was so easy to execute too; the guy responsible knew he only had to scatter enough breadcrumbs and the febrile minds on their forums would take care of the rest.
In case you’ve missed this, a Celtic fan made up a fake invoice showing that Dundee had been paid £50,000 in the days after the SPFL vote.
He knew that it he got it out there that the geniuses over in La La Land would do their own “digging” and find the “evidence” they wanted.
The money was apparently coming from a company owned by Dominic Keane.
In every way, this was the perfect trick to pull on this lot. Keane has no official connection to Celtic these days but was once on the board.
But he’s also got history putting his money into other Scottish clubs, so it was plausible that he would shield a bribe behind a sponsorship opportunity, and that the trail would be traceable to Celtic Park, but only if you start out from the assumption that the Grand Conspiracy of the Unseen Fenian Hand is behind the voting.
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Since almost all of them do believe the SPFL vote was designed solely to “hand Celtic the title” there was no way in Hell they weren’t going to swallow this.
It was like shooting fish in a barrel. So many of them are so eager to believe the worst, the very worst, that they leaped at this like a cat spotting a mouse peeking out of a hole in the skirting. And like said cat in every Tom and Jerry cartoon there is, they banged their heads on the wall instead.
This lot are so dense they make osmium seem like Swiss cheese.
One of those caught up in the net was our old friend The State Aid Loony who gobbled it up like the old lady who swallowed a fly. The moment he did his rabid followers started disseminating the story all over the forums.
Noted “in the know” voices “confirmed” the legitimacy of this barefaced and brazen fabrication, proving to all the word that they have none.
It was a masterpiece of disinformation, and not because it was especially creative – although it certainly was – or particularly well executed, but because they so badly wanted to believe it they couldn’t help themselves.
Lunacy and paranoia proliferate on their forums.
Think back to the incident involving Morelos’ car, back when that seemed important. Threads buzzed with dark rumours about how he had been targeted for assassination. And for what? Because he was threatening to score, at some point, in some match, against Celtic.
It is madness.
Yet their fans clearly believed this.
They clearly did think their player was in fear of his life because he had scored a few goals in the SPL and might score a handful more.
No other explanation was even considered by some of them, and there were many possibilities.
The same applied to the Jim Traynor “assault” about which nothing more has ever been heard … they believe that the rest of the world is venal and corrupt and capable of anything.
It doesn’t help that we have a media which panders to this nuttiness and often echoes it.
None of the hacks latched onto this, not in print anyway, but it’s clear that some of them were initially convinced; David Tanner, who was tweeting just the other day, wondering what inducements had been made to Dundee, clearly took the bait.
I would be amazed if others hadn’t gotten all excited and feverishly tried to verify it.
All of them expect Sevco to have some devastating information; we’ll know by the end of the day if the top flight clubs are as convinced. I’ll be doing a separate piece on that when we know more, but you have to remember that we’re not the target audience here and the clubs aren’t either.
The target audience for whatever dodgy dossier the Ibrox board has come up with are their own supporters … the very Peepul who believed this forgery was real.
Is it any wonder they think they can convince their fans to buy into their claims?
These Peepul will accept anything if it appears to confirm their twisted view of the world.
If there really is a sucker born every minute, you have to marvel at how an inordinate number of them seem to wind up in Larkhall.
As Scottish football goes through the current crisis it is important to keep up with developments and the key issues. We are determined to do so, and to keep you informed as well. Please subscribe to the blog.

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Coronavirus Joint Response Group Update – 11 August

Tuesday 11 August 2020 Scottish Government Update During discussions this morning with the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing a request was received – and subsequently agreed by the Joint Response Group – for the postponement of the following fixtures: Wednesday 12 August Aberdeen v Hamilton Academical St Mirren v Celtic Saturday 15 August Aberdeen v Celtic These matches have been postponed in light of ongoing restrictions in Aberdeen and today’s news of a breach of government public health guidance and football protocols involving the Celtic FC player, Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo. During further discussions today with the Minister and government advisers, the JRG has offered to work on a range of measures – which will involve the whole of professional football in Scotland – to underpin a commitment to raising public health awareness and reaffirm the collective responsibility of the national game. Rod Petrie, Chair of the JRG: “The Joint Response Group has acted swiftly and decisively in addressing the latest concerns raised by the minister on behalf of Scottish Government. While the decision to postpone these games is deeply regrettable nevertheless in the circumstances it is unavoidable and uncontestable. “The JRG members were astounded to learn of the recklessness demonstrated by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo in his breach of government public health guidance and football protocols. We echo the sentiments of Celtic FC in their condemnatory statement and commend the club’s swiftness in opening a disciplinary investigation. “That this comes on the back of eight Aberdeen players showing similar disregard for public health is disrespectful not just to every football team-mate, fellow player and colleague but also to every fan in this country. It is also hugely damaging to the image, reputation and sustainability of the game. “We sympathise with the position this puts the Scottish Government in as the country is tentatively easing its way out of lockdown restrictions. “We agree wholeheartedly with the unequivocal message relayed to managers and captains by the National Clinical Director for Scotland, Professor Jason Leitch, last night. Clubs and players are in no doubt that there is now no more margin for error and no more scope for further breaches. “Since March, the Joint Response Group has worked hand-in-hand with government advisers and medical experts to ensure a safe return for the professional game, with clubs undertaking to fulfil their obligations. “Players must heed the warning of the First Minister that this is a yellow-card moment for Scottish football. Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive: “We have only been able to restart matches thanks to the enormous efforts and sacrifices of literally thousands of people across the Scottish game. For anyone to put that in jeopardy in such a thoughtless and selfish manner is just beyond belief. “The vast majority of players and officials who have strictly observed the necessary restrictions will rightly see this as a real kick in the teeth. “Everyone knows that this season’s fixture schedule is already horrendously tight without having to reschedule matches because of the irresponsible actions of a handful of players.”