Celtic's £100,000 appeal may miss out on fax of the matter

IAN PAUL

7 Oct 1994

BY closing time last night, the SFA still had not received word from Celtic that they were going ahead with their final appeal against the £100,000 fine imposed on them by the Scottish League for inducing Tommy Burns to leave Kilmarnock to become manager at Parkhead.

Under the relevant rule, Article 179, Celtic had to send, by recorded delivery, notice of their appeal accompanied by a £50 deposit.

That still left them a few hours after the SFA offices closed at five o'clock to have the appeal document recorded as despatched, but if they decided on a fax message they may find that would not be considered as complying with the rule.

It would be ironic if the Parkhead club lose out on their last-ditch appeal by relying on the latest communication technology, considering the criticism of their communication efforts over recent years, but chief executive, Jim Farry, said last night that he did not think the executive committee would accept a fax as being competent within the rule.

Celtic chief executive Fergus McCann refused to comment, one way or the other, thus helping to confuse matters even more.

All enquiries were told that he was sticking by the fax -- he is fond of them -- issued the previous day, to the effect that there would be no further statement as the matter was now being dealt with by the authorities.

The club did delay their original appeal to the Scottish League until the last moment, but in the end were decisively over-ruled by the special general meeting called by the clubs last Thursday, both in their protest against the decision and their subsequent objection to the size of the fine.

Now it will be today before it is known whether or not they have made their last plea in time to be heard.

If they are too late -- or chose not -- to go ahead with their protest, they would then be obliged to pay the £100,000.

Meanwhile, Hearts manager Tommy McLean is entitled to wear a semblance of a smile after the announcement yesterday that the club intends to let him have more than £1m to spend on players if the new share issue raises enough cash.

And even if that does not work out, there is as an alternative source of funds on the way, one way or another, when Rangers and Hearts agree the deal to take Alan McLaren to Ibrox.

Although the Hearts chairman denied that any bid for McLaren had been made it is believed that initial talks have taken place and the details of which players would go in a swop-plus-cash deal discussed.

However, while those continue, Hearts have made it clear that players plus a £500,000 deal would not be "good business," considering that they turned down a £1m bid from Celtic.

But that does not rule out a better arrangement being acceptable and, presumably, the manager would not be against the acquisition of players as well as cash.

A deal amounting to £1.7m appears to be most likely.

But whether that happens sooner or later, McLean would like to think that the share issue would be a big success with the prospective investors.

They will be available for 40 days and will come in blocks of a minimum £250.

They do not carry the same voting rights as other shares, but it was confirmed that, subject to the board's approval, representatives of the supporters could be on the board.

Robinson said that the first £1.5m raised, less the £350,000 costs involved, would be given to McLean for players.

Taken from the Herald