What Now for the Sectarian Songbook of Celtic Fans?

[Super_Ally 0]

Celtic FC asked to solve their terrorism problem

 

A member of the Northern Ireland Assembly has called for Celtic to solve it�s terrorism problem following disgusting scenes at Tynecastle last Sunday where the visiting fans sang the praises of the IRA.

 

Jimmy Spratt, the Democratic Unionist MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for South Belfast strongly condemned the Celtic fans responsible for the filthy chants and called on Celtic Chairman John Reid to root out the problem.

 

Horrified Hearts fans and television viewers across the world were subjected to horrific songs and chants in support of IRA murder gangs from 3 minutes into the game - amongst the filthy ditties were the Boys Of The Old Brigade; Roll Of Honour (about the 1981 H-Block suicides) and Oo Ah Up The Ra.

 

Mr Spratt had over 30 year of police service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary before entering public life and has seen the effects of terrorism at first hand. He was also Chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation.

 

http://www.dup.org.uk/JimmySpratt.asp

 

His statement reads as follows:-

 

SPL MUST NOT IGNORE PRO-IRA CHANTING: SPRATT

 

South Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt has called on the Scottish Premier League to take swift and decisive action against Celtic Football Club after sections of their support engaged in a series of pro-IRA chants during their recent game versus Hearts. After writing to the SPL outlining the need for action, Mr Spratt said:

 

"For several months Celtic Football Club has been extremely vocal in their condemnation of certain chants coming from supporters of other clubs. After listening to repeated instances of pro-IRA chanting in the course of their televised game against Hearts, their subsequent silence about the disgraceful conduct of their own supporters has been deafening.

 

Such glorification of terrorism has no place within sport and must be condemned outright. The Scottish Premier League must intervene and take decisive action in order to bring such chanting to an end. I would further call on the Chairman of Celtic Football Club, John Reid, to condemn those responsible and outline what measures the club intends to take to eradicate such naked sectarianism. As a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he will be acutely aware of the murderous, barbarous campaign of the IRA which brought bloodshed to the streets of Northern Ireland, and indeed across the United Kingdom.

 

Until Celtic Football Club can get its own club in order, dictation to other clubs and supporters will be viewed as sheer temerity."

 

 

A shame it's taken a NI politician to question this sham. Normally Scottish politicians can't wait to get involved when putting the boot in, as long as it's to Rangers.

[craig 5,199]

Mind if I merge this with the thread in Rangers chat S_A - I think it is relevant to the debate.

 

It is a starting step but one which should be much more visible in SCOTLAND and the Scottish media. Sorry but it is our own media (and the game's administrators) which are tarring us as bigots but letting Celtic fans away with chants which are every bit as sickening (actually more so IMO).

[Super_Ally 0]

Go ahead

[ian1964 10,720]

For me it was only a matter of time before the greetin faced MOPES get some of their own medicine,all the offended ones will soon be made to look like the hypocrites that they are and all this will come back to bite them on the arse.

[Wija 0]

A shame it's taken a NI politician to question this sham. Normally Scottish politicians can't wait to get involved when putting the boot in, as long as it's to Rangers.

 

 

It is a shame but after the way C****c use the foreign brigade from Eire, and since there is no way any of the Scottish MP's will say boo to a goose then maybe it takes someone outwith the sphere of Scotland.

 

It is truly amazing that in the civilised world where everyone people can be so berated for some song that is a tongue in cheek dig at a football teams fans and yet at the same time, the fans so downtrodden and abused can sing merrily about terrorists and glorify them without as much as a whistle from MSP's and the Mhedia in Scotland.

 

They opened the can of worms when it was merely a bit of banter in the songs. They must now under the leadership of John Reid, condemn, root out and punish there own.

 

I wait, but will not be holding my breath.

[Davy 0]

I've been going to see Rangers for 47 years now....I will tell you one thing.. the lack of sectarian bile has taken the edge off Old Firm games....I was never and still not offended by the chants aimed at us,and I have tim friends who feel the same...I am sick and tired by the constant references to what each other are singing....Lets get back to reading and talking about the fitba!.

[Bluedell 5,614]

Celtic's pro-IRA chants were apparently at an all-time "high" at the Hearts game. Celtic didn't control their distribution of the tickets due to this ticket handling surcharge argument, so if the tickets have gone to people who don't regularly attend then the policy has come back and bit Celtic on the bum.

[Super_Ally 0]

Their ready made get out clause BD?

 

Though Rangers got fcuked, for behaviour of those who claim to follow the club, in Manchester and Villareal.

 

Frankly i've always felt it a nonsense when a club gets in trouble for a behaviour of a small amount of fans. People have the ability to think for themselves and should alone shoulder the responsibility for their behaviour. However that is not the root that has been taken and as such Celtic have a lot to answer for here.

Edited November 4, 2008 by Super_Ally

[Bluedell 5,614]

I don't see it as a get out clause and would be surprised if tried to use it as such as they then get criticised for introducing the surcharge. It's their own fault and, as you say, they have to take responsibility due to their previous attitude.

[Super_Ally 0]

Need to see what if/any response we get from our media before we worry about Celtic's response. If the media do their usual and sweep it under the carpet Celtic will not be forced into any form of statement.