Arrests made over alleged sectarian singing at Kilmarnock v Rangers game

[ian1964 10,723]

TWO men have been arrested following complaints about sectarian songs by Rangers fans during the match with Kilmarnock on Friday.

 

BT Sport, which broadcast the match live, received complaints from armchair fans with one describing a "high level of sectarian singing" during the game at Rugby Park which ended in 1-1 draw.

 

Police Scotland confirmed that two men aged 22 and 23 were arrested in connection with alleged offences contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

 

They were released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.

 

BT said: "Some viewers complained. We take our responsibility as a broadcaster very seriously and apologise if inappropriate behaviour by fans at this live game caused offence."

 

The Billy Boys song with its reference to "Fenian blood" was clearly heard by those watching at home.

 

One complainer told BT Sport through social media: "If there is to be bigoted chanting throughout the Rangers game should there not be some sort of warning before it starts. Or block it."

 

In January the Scottish Professional Football League governing body examined issues about sectarian chanting heard during Rangers' match against Hibernian at Ibrox on December 28.

 

It is understood that SPFL will not consider what action, if any, to talke until it has receipt of the match delegate report.

 

Following the match against Hibs, which Rangers won 4-2, the Glasgow club issued a website statement condemning fans who took part in what they described as "inappropriate singing".

 

Rangers stressed it was a minority of fans involved and said it would assist Police Scotland in identifying the culprits.

 

European football's governing body Uefa fined Rangers in 2006 and ordered the club to make a public announcement at each of their home games pointing out that the chanting of the Billy Boys was banned after it was heard during a Champions League match against Villarreal.

 

In February, nine arrests were made over the alleged use of pyrotechnics and sectarian chanting during the Scottish Cup fourth round tie between Stranraer and Celtic.

 

In April, Dave Scott, campaign director of Nil By Mouth, accused the SPFL of doing nothing to tackle sectarianism in Scottish football. One third of arrests for sectarian activities relate to football.

 

Speaking as part of a debate hosted by Action on Sectarianism, Scott said without the football authorities help sectarianism will not be got rid of and called on the Scottish Government to intervene.

 

“The SFA has failed in that no club has been fined a point or a pound for sectarian behaviour," he said.

 

“The clubs early on did make a show of trying to do something about it. But it was usually for the press opportunity. They do little unless it involves UEFA, Scottish football has just ignored the issue. Recently they asked for facial recognition software as a solution rather than work with the fans."

 

He called for clubs to adopt the Strict Liability Rule, where they are punished for the behaviour of their fans regardless of their attempts to control them, saying without it sectarianism would always prevail.

 

“There is a lot of arrogance which seems to hide a lot insecurity to tackle it. Most people who go to football are incredible people, but there is a very noisy minority," he said.

 

Two weeks after Scott's comments police investigated the singing of sectarian songs by Old Firm fans during the Scottish Cup semi-final. The match resulted in 18 arrests in and around Hampden and in the city centre.

 

Before the game police vowed there would be a crackdown on supporters singing sectarian songs.

 

It came after their previous meeting in February last year, but made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

 

Flares were let off at Hampden and 10 of the 19 arrests concerned alleged sectarian breaches of the peace.

 

Police praised the behaviour of most fans at the game but criticised a minority who set off the flares and took part in sectarian singing.

 

Rangers and Kilmarnock were approached for comment but did not respond by the time of going to press.

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14709351.Arrests_made_over_alleged_sectarian_singing_at_Kilmarnock_v_Rangers_game/

[Germinal 27]

Thursday - rare PR victory.

 

Friday - bad PR.

 

Much as I'd like to point at the suspect timing, it happens too often to be agents provocateur. I used to think every club had its share of do

dimwits as fans but we really take the biscuit.

 

Unless the club really tackles the issue hard, I gues we'll be stuck in this cycle of self harming forever.

[cooponthewing 1,139]

Don't know about anyone else but I just wish they would sing it and change the words when they do!. Sadly we live in Scotland's petty primitive little world where it is run by Rangers haters and words and naughty songs cause more offence than individuals being attacked at their work etc.

[cooponthewing 1,139]

Btw, the Killie fans who were in the stand with the TV studio in it(across from main stand) right at the studio in fact "were frequently singing "we are the Killie boys".

Yahoos with their ears at the telly probably don't grasp that other songs are available!.

[BEARGER 1,830]

Btw, the Killie fans who were in the stand with the TV studio in it(across from main stand) right at the studio in fact "were frequently singing "we are the Killie boys".

Yahoos with their ears at the telly probably don't grasp that other songs are available!.

 

We can say the same about our fans who just will not be told, they don't care what damage they do.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Nothing for the club to worry about. The police can deal with it.

[der Berliner 3,744]

We can say the same about our fans who just will not be told, they don't care what damage they do.

 

The point here is that the media wants to hear what they want to hear. Mr. Rae apologized to viewers on air during a scene when there was Derry's Walls to be heard from our support. Why would he do that, when seated amongst the Killie folk?

 

IMHO, those who complaint were yahoo folk hearing what they wanted to hear, TBB rather than Killy Boys. The way this is being treated by the mhedia in Scotland is beyond belief, but rest assured, if they can't get us on the field, they will try everything to make it happen off it.

 

NB: I agree that those who will not learn should be taken to the side and lectured.

Edited August 28, 2016 by der Berliner

[Germinal 27]

BT Sport, the media, Scotland....everybody's fault but ours.

 

If it was a media or political conspiracy, why would you do exactly what it wants?

 

Bollocks to it. Been over this ground for years and.altho we are miles forward from 20 years ago we're reluctant to finally nail the issue. Maybe it's fear of alienating elements of the fanbase, who knows. But it's so disappointing.

[cooponthewing 1,139]

The point here is that the media wants to hear what they want to hear. Mr. Rae apologized to viewers on air during a scene when there was Derry's Walls to be heard from our support. Why would he do that, when seated amongst the Killie folk?

 

IMHO, those who complaint were yahoo folk hearing what they wanted to hear, TBB rather than Killy Boys. The way this is being treated by the mhedia in Scotland is beyond belief, but rest assured, if they can't get us on the field, they will try everything to make it happen off it.

 

NB: I agree that those who will not learn should be taken to the side and lectured.

 

Didn't know he had apologised for the "singing of derry's walls" DB. The singing of DW is permitted and not a crime. It's deemed as part of cultural heritage. Therefore if you did hear anyone apologise for it on air, a complaint or complaints should be made.

Again, attempts to falsely accuse Rangers fans by the msn!

[cooponthewing 1,139]

BT Sport, the media, Scotland....everybody's fault but ours.

 

If it was a media or political conspiracy, why would you do exactly what it wants?

 

Bollocks to it. Been over this ground for years and.altho we are miles forward from 20 years ago we're reluctant to finally nail the issue. Maybe it's fear of alienating elements of the fanbase, who knows. But it's so disappointing.

 

I don't disagree with you Germinal. I wish they would learn to change the words when they sing it. It's the constant highlighting of behaviour in our supporters yet conveniently using selective hearing/memory with others that is blatant bias and an effort to damage our support as much as possible from the msn that I have an issue with.