C*unty thrown out of top level Youth Inititative!!!

[CaleyD]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/s...v_1/7491711.stm

A bit harsh on all 3 teams involved IMO, especially as it appears to have been no more than an administrative issue for everyone.  At the end of the day it's unlikely the teams will suffer greatly but it could make all the difference to the youngsters involved, especially if, as stated, we see a teams entire youth system ending up being scraped as a result.

What I find so strange is that the SFA felt the need to call a meeting of the emergency committee to rush the decision through instead of bringing it to the attention of the clubs and allowing them the time to rectify the matter.

[Kingsmills]

I agree, the decision seems very harsh indeed.

[PullMyFinger]

That stinks

[SMEE]

If they flouted the rules then its fair enuff methinks

[Guest birdog]

If they flouted the rules then its fair enuff methinks

Very true but I do believe that if it is found that rules were not flouted then they should be reinstated without prejudice. :004:

[Alex MacLeod]

Sorry SMEE but that is uncalled for. The exact same thing could easilly happen to ICT and any other team. County and the others have complied with the law of the land in regards to the employment of those working with youngsters. Unfortunately, and for no good reason, the SFA have made their own law in this regard and require clubs, at their own expense, to renew 'Disclosure Scotland' investigations every three years. For a club this is a very big expense as everyone involved with youngsters, be they coaches, escorts for matches, the coach driver, families who volunteer to board youths, even players who want to impart their skills to the youngsters, must have a valid disclosure. the law requests a five year review so why do the SFA think three years is better. After all, if anyone is convicted of an offense within the guidelines their position would be made public knowledge by the courts.

[Guest birdog]

Sorry SMEE but that is uncalled for. The exact same thing could easilly happen to ICT and any other team. County and the others have complied with the law of the land.

Have not read the story but that quote is so accurate, if you break the law suffer the consequences, if not why be hit with sanctions?

[SMEE]

If the teams concerned did nothing wrong, they wouldnt and couldnt possibly be turfed out. If the SFA say they want these forms renewed every 12 months, then the teams should adhere to this. Obviously all the other teams managed to abide by the rule without much trouble!

[Guest birdog]

If the teams concerned did nothing wrong, they wouldnt and couldnt possibly be turfed out. If the SFA say they want these forms renewed every 2 months, then they should adhere to this. Obviously all the other teams managed to abide by the rule!

This is also true mee, if you break the rules you should be punished but like I say why impose sanctions on those who have not?

[Alex MacLeod]

If the teams concerned did nothing wrong, they wouldnt and couldnt possibly be turfed out. If the SFA say they want these forms renewed every 12 months, then the teams should adhere to this. Obviously all the other teams managed to abide by the rule without much trouble!

Of 30 non SPL teams only Stenhousemuir meet the SFA criteria to compete in the top youth league. So are the SFA right and 29 teams wrong?

I think the SFA are being very stupid in this. Highlight the problem and give the teams time to comply. Dont go straight to sanctions. The teams can fold their youth initiatives but what about the youngsters. Whats the effect on them and the future of the game? And why should Lex Gould have a say in this kangaroo court?

[Scarlet Pimple]

Usually a warning is issued first so that well-intentioned teams who have made a mistake or overlooked something can rectify it without being asked to visit the scaffold on the way.

What appears to be immediate dismissal smacks of arrogance and perhaps a hidden agenda since it does not either seem fair or logical.

Shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!! :008:

[KingBeastie]

and perhaps a hidden agenda

It does seem a little odd and over the top.

The article states that c*unty could loose ?30,000 a year in SFA grants.  Now if these teams are just putting together a ram-shakle youth initiative without paying proper attention to who is coaching the kids purely for the funding then the SFA are right to do something.  However I am definatly not saying that this is the case and very very much doubt that it is.  It would seem as tho the SFA do have some reason that they are not mentioning or are just being very heavy handed.

[Guest Calum-Red-an-Blue]

Another point this issue brings up is the future of scottish football, how can scotland have an international future if a majority of its youth cannot play in the top youth leagues in the country there progress will be halted, players cannot be expected to play in the ess pee ell if they haven't even played in the top youth leagues.

Does the sfl have a ruling like the spl on the amount of u21 players that must be in the team, because if it does then thease sanctions could seriously harm the shape of the teams involved.

[PullMyFinger]

The real issue here is that it's not the clubs themselves who will suffer most because of this but the young players, I'd like to think that ICT could offer these players from across the bridge some support in that respect maybe sharing the training facilities and "registered coaches". Would that satisfy the SFA rules to permit County to participate?

[Alex MacLeod]

What, if anything, is the effect on the Highland Academy

[Scotty]

I feel a little sorry for County and Dunfermline as it sounds like a paperwork issue that could be resolved quite easily, but not so much for Dundee as theirs was because they didnt have the personnel in place to satisfy the requirements.

Having said that, all of this is contained in the club licensing documentation and clubs know what they are supposed to have in place and when it is to be in place so exactly why they are "raging" or saying "We will take this to the highest courts in the land" is a little beyond belief as it is their own fault and not the fault of the SFA. If you could say anything about the SFA it would be that they are perhaps being too rigid in applying the rules and should allow the clubs a grace period in which to comply.

[PullMyFinger]

The clubs can recover but the players can't replace the valuable experience they would have gained, I can't help thinking something could and should be done to help them.

[CaleyD]

My big question is, what does the need for having Disclosure Forms completed every 3 years as opposed to 5 years have to do with the standard of coaching these kids are receiving?

Had it been a lack of facilities, equipment or personnel then you could perhaps understand it.

Aside from that, if the SFA were to stick so rigidly to all their rules then most of the teams in Scotland would have been thrown out of top level football long ago.  In fact, I'd bet money that there's not a single team in Scotland doesn't return their Football Licensing Audit forms each year without them falling short on one requirement or another...asking for dispensation and being granted it, and on things more important than renewing a form which is legally valid for a further 2 years.

[Libero]

story seems to be growing arms and legs now, further development here

[Bush]

As well as the article you link to, the BBC website also suggests in another article that Rangers have fallen foul of the regulations but haven't received the same treatment as C*unty, Dunfermline & Dundee. Smacks of the old SPL boys club and, if true, there should be a proper investigation about the even-handedness (or not as seems to be the case) being dished out!

([email="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7539144.stm"])

Edited August 4, 2008 by Bush

[Alex MacLeod]

Personally I think its a damn disgrace that the youngsters of those clubs are being penalized for a bit of beaurocratic mumbo jumbo and that one egotistical ersehole can have such power within the SFA. He's a representative of all the registered teams in Scotland not a fecking god and the sooner he's booted out the better for all.

[thejailender]

An on-line petition has been set-up requesting that the youth teams of the three teams involved be re-instated into this league.

If you would kindly take a moment of your time to sign this it would be greatfully appreciated.

On-line Petition

Thanks

[Guest birdog]

Signed.

[Scotty]

signed too.

[kencar]

Did anyone hear what Chick Young's 'sensational' breaking news on this story was last night?

I gave up listening after about 25 minutes as the news was so 'sensational' he just went on with the terrible Planet/World football feature