We learnt last night that the SPFL will penalise three clubs—Motherwell, the Ibrox club, and ourselves—by taking away 500 tickets from each of us in our upcoming Hampden distribution because of the use of pyro at past games. Celtic released a statement in which they expressed their ire at the fans who did it.
However, the SPFL is not at last expanding a set.
In actuality, the punishment is really absurd.
Since UEFA does it frequently, we’re incredibly fortunate that we won’t be playing a game with a stand shut or behind closed doors because of previous instances. However, I think the SPFL’s response is essentially a farce. More than 20,000 Celtic supporters attend the League Cup semi-final at Hampden. What impact does 500 tickets have, then?
Furthermore, how is it possible to impose the same punishment on Motherwell as one of the Glasgow clubs?
They don’t sell any tickets anyway, so their followers will just take the 500.
Anyone who sees this as a real punishment or as a deterrent is fooling themselves. Nobody will perceive it as a sanction since it isn’t even close to being one.
This is where I always discuss the Dilbert Principle.
The notion that “real work plus the appearance of work equals actual work” is among the most amusing yet spot-on ideas I came across in that book. Since the beginning of time, people have gotten away with it, and every time our governing bodies make a choice like this, you can see it in action. Something just to look nice.
This isn’t a true penalty.
“Yeah, but we’re on the beginning of a slippery slope,” some will reply. I don’t think so. Removing 800 tickets was the most “serious” punishment they were thinking about; in fact, they have already stated that this will be the punishment if it occurs again. Therefore, everyone knows that it is a slap on the wrist.
It’s a tiny drop in the ocean. It’s not a real punishment. It’s the way one looks.
They installed it to give the impression that they are taking action.
The clubs were eagerly awaiting the SPFL’s next move. On this matter, they have been crying for assistance, asking the governing organisations to truly govern and pressing the police to be more forceful inside stadiums.
Since UEFA has made it apparent that they will severely fine clubs, we no longer witness flares and smoke bombs in large quantities throughout Europe. This problem would be fixed in two weeks if our domestic governing bodies were prepared to follow suit.
Here, the powerful are acting as though they are in charge. It’s just that.
Because it isn’t serious, no one will take it seriously, but it provides the media something to write about. They may sound tough all they want, but nobody thinks they’ll actually do anything to support it. The lawmakers, the clubs, the police and regular supporters who don’t want this junk on our pitch will be disappointed. It’s blatantly signs of weakness.
I don’t want my club to suffer any kind of punishment. I hope some of our supporters would act in a way that would eliminate the need for this altogether.
However, the SPFL should not put on this pointless charade if it is going to take action. If this is all they came up with, why even hold a meeting, discuss, issue a ruling, and issue a press release?
It’s ultimately simply another 500 tickets that can be given to the sponsors, the big cats, and the hangers-on who steal football without contributing anything in return. It doesn’t really penalise clubs, and it doesn’t provide those who bring smoke bombs and flares into stadiums any reason to stop.
Because UEFA isn’t scared of the clubs, its fines are effective.
Because UEFA takes issues seriously, its fines are effective.
Maybe I’ll give the SFA and SPFL some credit the day they decide to follow suit. However, today is not that day.
xz
