I haven't had a response from
childsafeguarding@uefa.ch to the e-mail I sent last week, so I followed it up with another today, using elements of your posts, Karbear and Tim Hunter ...
'
Good afternoon,
I sent the message, below, to your office a week ago. Unfortunately, I have received neither a response nor an acknowledgement.
In addition to the information in the 1st Jul 19 e-mail, yet another Member of the Scottish Parliament (James Kelly MSP) has voiced his frustration with Celtic FC’s continued refusal to submit to a public inquiry into the child abuse and subsequent cover-up which took place over four decades, under Celtic FC’s auspices.
'Sir,
I share your concerns with the closed door approach to the abuse at Celtic Boys Club. I believe a public inquiry would have been the best option in the interest of transparency and accountability for all relevant figures and sporting bodies.
I have written to Peter Lawwell on a number of occasions now regarding the abuse. I outlined in these letters that more clarity has to be provided as to what the findings of this investigation are and made clear that a public inquiry would have been favourable.
Mr Lawwell had outlined in his response (attached) that this was a legal matter and they could not comment. I am frustrated by Celtic’s approach and have asked that they provide a timeline for publication of the work that they have carried out on the matter and also that they are specific about what is being done to address victims concerns.
I note your concerns with the silence in Parliament around this. It is a matter we must approach with care due to the sensitivity of the matter as well as the legal issue. I gather myself along with a few other politicians have been corresponding with Celtic to help clarify the means of justice in this instance, the communications relating to such I am happy to share - as attached.
However, I do believe it is important that politicians speaking publicly on the issue should do so appropriately and sensitively with the victims in mind. Rest assured, if I am asked for public comment in the press or the issue comes up in parliament, I will make my views clear.
I hope the above is helpful and I am happy to keep you up to date with any further correspondence relating to this issue. If I can be of help with anything else in the future, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely
James Kelly MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow Region
Scottish Labour Finance and Constitution Spokesperson’
As I’m sure you are aware, Article 17 of the current UEFA regulations (2019), covers Ethical Provisions: Scope, UEFA’s competence and General Principles and applies to all member associations, clubs and their officials.
These regulations place responsibility on the above-named member associations, all clubs and their officials to observe the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship, and to act with complete honesty when exercising their functions. They go on to say that all persons bound by these provisions have a fiduciary duty towards UEFA, and have a responsibility to report unethical conduct to UEFA without delay.
Celtic FC’s behaviour in matters relating to child welfare, and the SFA’s inaction in dealing with this, place them both in contravention of Article 17.
As I said in my previous e-mail, could you please let me know how you plan to take this matter forward?
Regards,
johnkp'
We'll see what they say, if anything.