There could be a development within a matter of weeks on the ‘Resolution 12’ issue that some Celtic fans have been campaigning around for years, The Scottish Sun report.
You’ve likely heard of the drive from some Celtic shareholders for the club to take a more combative stance with the Scottish FA and UEFA regarding Rangers’ participation in the 2011/12 Champions League.
Resolution 12, a motion that has been brought forward at multiple Celtic AGMs, proposes that the Hoops pursue legal options against the SFA for lost revenue because the governing body granted the Ibrox side a license to compete in Europe.
It’s thought by campaigners that the failure of Rangers to pay taxes should have ensured this licence was not granted and that Celtic should have taken their place in the qualification process that season.
The Scottish Sun report that the Scottish FA are set to decide on whether to refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the Ibrox club rejected a notice of complaint from the association two years ago that said they’d failed to observe the principles of sportsmanship and behave “towards the Scottish FA and other members with the utmost good faith”.
The paper reckons that there is now an appetite within Hampden to deal with the issue at their end once and for all, with referring the case to CAS now possible after Rangers successfully argued two years ago that this is where the grievance must be heard.
There’s been near silence on it all since then but SFA Chief Exec Ian Maxwell said last June, as quoted by the paper: “I would expect that to come back to the board in the not too distant future. It [going to CAS] is still under consideration. We’ll come back on that in due course.”
Now it appears it’s all finally going to come to a head one way or another.
Peter Lawwell’s stance on Resolution 12 meanwhile was made clear last November, telling shareholders at the AGM (Daily Record live blog 27/11/19, 12:40): “The club has communicated with shareholders on a regular basis, and has communicated with UEFA and the SFA over our shareholders’ concerns. UEFA confirmed that there was no basis to investigate further.
“The club called on the SFA in 2017 to hold a review into all licensing processes. Regrettably the SFA declined hold such a review.
“Understand the long and complex investigation into the licensing issue remains ongoing. The shareholders thoughts come first and foremost but this has been a matter for the football authorities. Celtic’s best bet is to focus on Celtic.”
So while there’s not much of an appetite within Celtic Park to see the club benefit from the situation, it’ll be very interesting to observe what happens from here on out and what decision the SFA takes.
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