Ref Payments & An Italian Club. Like An Ordinary Sunday in Serie A.

By: JT | July 28th, 2007

Tomorrow’s friendly with fallen Serie A giant Parma was nearly called off over payments (or lack thereof) to referees. Apparently there is a bit of a “gentleman’s agreement” among the clubs and the match officials that for high profile friendlies they will get paid the same rate as an SPL match. The Celts want to pay half the rate of SPL games which is what the contract with the officials stipulates. Refs get £550 and linesmen get £250 for SPL matches. Rangers, Dundee United and Hibernian have all paid the league rate in their recent glamour friendlies. So the refs pondered calling the match off in protest. Now, I’m all for saving some cash here and there, but are the refs the guys you want pissed at you? C’mon Peter Lawwell, ante up!

It wasn’t just a one day rumor after all! Barcelona’s Santiago Ezquerro is contemplating a move to Britain. The magnificently named Txiki Beguiristain (so glad I don’t have to type that every day!), Barça’s Director of Football and resident quote machine, claims that several clubs including the Bhoys have been in contact and that Santi is keen on a move to the “British Isles”.

I haven’t heard that term used since high school history. When I was in Barcelona this spring, the club was in the midst of the swoon that eventually killed their chances of wrapping up a third La Liga title on the trot. Transfer targets were all over the press, and in El Mundo Deportivo, Txiki called Sevilla’s Dani Alves a “barbarian”. It was a compliment. And you know what, if you watch Alves play for Sevilla, not Brazil, I can guarantee that you will say “Damn, that little dude is a barbarian.”

Wee Gordon Strachan is set to agree on an improved deal at Parkhead. He’s on a 12 month rolling contract, and the terms on the new one should be pretty sweet considering his success. As I’ve mentioned before, this is his defining year. All the players are his, he’s had cash to spend, and expectations are high. Greatness is there for the taking.

Yawn. Paris Saint Germain has not received a bid from Celtic for right back Bernard Mendy. Yawn. West Bromwich Albion is deciding if they want to overpay for another Celtic striker. Yawn. This time it’s want-away Derek Riordan. Yawn.