By Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
Exclusive
Irish politician Alan Shatter TD has submitted a Dail question to Foreign Minister Micheal Martin about the Famine Song controversy in Scotland.
I spoke with Deputy Shatter last week and he confirmed to me that he had acted after a constituent had contacted him.
“I am urging Minister Martin to directly contact Alex Salmond, the Scottish First minister in Edinburgh, to deal with the racist chanting of the “Famine Song” by Rangers supporters at soccer matches in Scotland,” said Deputy Shatter ”Rangers supporters should get behind their world famous team and move on from the hatred of the past. I also hope that the club itself will deal with the supporters who will not desist from singing this racist song.”
In a separate development the organisation “Show Racism the Red Card” (SRTRC) has called upon supporters of all clubs to refrain from singing songs and participating in behaviour that contravenes
footballing regulations as outlined by FIFA, UEFA and the SPL and that may result in possible prosecution from the police. In a statement on the SRTRC website specifically referred to the “The Famine Song”. The statement from SRTRC was very similar to that of the Rangers FC in that it warned Rangers supporters singing this song that they may be liable to arrest for a “racial breach of the peace..” The statement from SRTRC, like the one from Rangers, did not condemn the “Famine Song” as racist. This first statement from SRTRC had coincided with the publication of the Irish Post’s first piece on the Famine song controversy, which highlighted SRTRC’s lack of action on this issue.
That was SRTRC’s stated position at close of business on Friday 3rd October. By Monday 6th October midday they had changed the text of this section on their website to include the statement.
“We refer to “The Famine Song” which is being sung by sections of the Rangers support. We are of the opinion that this song is racist. Both Rangers Football Club and Strathclyde Police have stated that anyone singing this song risked being arrested. UEFA guidelines stipulate that “racial abuse” or “discrimination” is not confined to skin colour. It can also be reflected in abuse for being foreign or from
an ethnic minority background.”
To the innocent reader it would appear that, as of October 1st, SRTRC publicly considered the “Famine song” to be racist when this was not the case.
This journalist was unable to solicit any direct quote from the organisation despite speaking to two members of staff at SRTRC on several attempts. My request for SRTRC coordinator Billy Singh to get
back to me and speak for the organisation did not happen.
Alasdair Allan the Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (western Isles) stated that:
“The sentiments in this song are unquestionably anti-Irish and racist. The overwhelming majority of people here would say that there is no room in Scotland for this song. This song is so sad on a number
of levels. If people only knew their history they would know that the potato blight was such a terrible disaster and led to death and devastation in both Ireland and Scotland.”
Spuds
Think it’s a bit simplistic to label players using the grandparent rule to play for another country as “mercenary”. I do honestly believe the likes of andy Townsend, Matty Holland, Ray Houghton & John Aldridge gave their all when the pulled on the green jersey. Although I remember a guy, Paul Butler, who actually went on record to say he would have played for anyone at international level.
It should also be made clear Aiden McGeady & James McCarthy have represented ROI at youth levels before now, due to the fact that Scotland has some silly rule about not calling up young players that play for their school (or something to that effect). ROI doesn’t, knew these guys qualified, and offered two young guys the opportunity to play international football at a young age. I don’t know any young lad that would turn down that opportunity, and their move to the full international setup could be seen as a natural progression.
Also Ryan Giggs, I could swear I read somewhere his dad was English, mum was Welsh, he represented England at youth level. Then his dad left and he chose Wales out of loyalty to his mum? Could be wrong though
November 10, 2008 at 11:29 am
Tony
Denboy
“It is a local West of Scotland issue and dispute”.
Yes, it is. I am protestant from West of Scotland my wife is Irish catholic. We live in London. Our children went to catholic schools. Although, they are proud of their Scottish and Irish roots, they see themselves English, as did their friends at school. They fail to understand how someone can place their primary alliagence to where one of the persons grand-parents was born.
Anti- irish / anti-catholic attitudes are prevalent all over this country, as can be seen anywhere Celtic play – ask Aiden McGeady / Neil Lennon / Celtic fans in general. Also in places visited by the support in England (eg. Blackburn / London).
That is part of football it is not get Celtic thing. Rangers players playing for internationally teams in Dublin get special abuse. Catholics playing for Rangers appear to receive special treatment from Celtic fans. Attending games in London at players and supporters for types of reason. Unfortunately, that is part of life.
Last year we were sitting outside a café in France, there were 4 Irish women near us, who did not realise we could speak English. They poured out non-stop racial abuse about Eastern Europeans who had move to ROI. Believe me if the grand-child of one of these immigrants had chosen to play for the country of their grand-parents rather than ROI, these women would happily called for the entire family to be strung the whole family up. I am not having a go at Irish saying this, but trying to show to your bigoted mindset that prejudice is not confined to Rangers supporters or the entire Scottish non-catholic population.
Blame Catholic schools – haven’t heard that one for a few days. Only seems to be a problem in this country though. Wonder why that is ???
My two experiences with schools outside West of Scotland have been England and France. In London, the catholic schools although not particulary socially healthy, for example, you can argue dicriminate with pro catholic staff bias, which I do not think would be accepted in any other form of employment. However, it is not the problem as in Scotland, where it resembles something out of America’s deep south pre 1960’s with children being bused aound to avoid contact with the other race. London percentage of catholics is much less, place is more diverse, and children quite often go to catholic primary school then attend non-denominational secondary school or sixth form college. Also, children’s allegiance is to England not another country from where they were born, live and being taught.
I will be interested to see developments in years to come with the possible growth in Muslim schools, it may be viewed that religious schools have to sacrificied to meet changing society.
France, although it is mainly catholic country seemed to have solely non-denominational schools. Seemed to work fine.
“Celtic songs and actions, which are equally as vile as the Famine Song” – name them please………..
This year, I encountered Celtic fans that had been attending pre-season friendlies in London and South East twice this year on trains. One group were fine. Noisy, had been drinking, boisterous but good humoured. The group shouted abuse at everyone. Racially abuse people. Wished to kill all protestants. Murder certain Rangers current and ex-players who happened to be catholic. It is what actually prompted me to reply to post here.
“After all many Celtic fans seem to believe they have more allegiance to Ireland than Scotland”.
What country’s flag is most noted at Rangers Games ? Here’s a clue – it’s not Scotland, and it’s got a wee hand in the middle. Etc.
I condemn them as well. I think indicated that in my original post.
So, all of the above applies to me. If I then for example went to work abroad, instead of here in Scotland, would I be betryaying people like you.
Or would I only be betraying you if I went to work in the Republic of Ireland ????
I actually moved to England for work reasons. My wife is Irish. I would love to have played football for Scotland, not England. My children would love to have played football for England. They would only have chosen Scotland or ROI as last resort, if they felt that they would be good enough to play for England and the other countries offered that opportunity. Their feeling to play a country based country of grandparent would be solely as that of mercenary, with no strong allegiance to that country, rather like the many foreign players with premier league teams. If one of my grand-children said they wish to play for Scotland, I would tell them I was proud of them, but if they were good enough to play for England, that should be their first choice.
Just say it simply that it’s because of the choice of country. Again, no mention of Brian McLean of M’well, who chose N. Ireland………. No condemnation / put downs for the likes of Goram / McCall / Gough. But they’re all great guys, eh ????
Goram and McCall parents I believe were Scots. They mainly played for Scottish teams. I doubt if they would have been called up by England. Gough interesting one, I understand his parents were Scottish and Swedish, born in Sweden. Lived as child in South Africa, but his career was mainly with Scots teams. However, I assume he experienced segregated schooling in SA, but I did play for teams there to experience the views of supporters. Mclean, now there is a true merceracy. Played under-17 for Scotland, I guess figured out he was not good enough, then found a tenouous NI connection.
I do not think that they are particulary great guys. But apart from possibly Gough, their parents did not choose segregated schools for them, excluding themselves much of their fellow countrymen before choosing to play for another country. In fact I feel if you go to a school that is based on excluding much of your fellow countrymen, you are under more responsibility to show your choice of international team is not based on a similar prejudice and bigotary to your fellow countrymen.
Discussing McGeady and the Famine Song with friends English, Irish and Scots. The Famine Song was totally condemned. McGeady and family were also not thought much of. Scotland and ROI were thought of similar in terms of football standing, support and opportunities presented. The English discussed players born in England who played for other countries, these included Gough, McCall and Irish players some who used the grandparent connection. None of these were felt as any great loss as they would not have had many if any games with England. Players who went back to grandparents were viewed as English players taking advantage of FIFA loophole to play international football for another country, basically mercenaries. They would be shocked if a young player of calibre, such as, Theo Walcott chose to play for another country on basis of a grandfather, they would be shocked and class him as a traitor. He would deserve all stick that he might expect from other supporters when playing for Arsenal. The only player my English friends considered a loss was Ryan Giggs, but they felt both his parents were Welsh and his choice was justified. However, if it was Ryan Gigg’s child and he was good enough to play for England, they would be very upset if he chose Wales. My Irish friends while happy to gain a good young player do not have much respect for McGeady or his family. They think them a bit sick just like the famine song.
This week there was an historic event where Americans elected a black African president. Scotland is still in the dark ages is comparison, but segregated schools ended in the States decades ago. Anyway, I have said enough on subject. Denboy, I will leave to life with your fellow bigots who form part of the Rangers and Celtic support. Have a good life.
November 10, 2008 at 5:44 am
gerry
Tony 15.
“It is a local West of Scotland issue and dispute”.
Total bull !
Anti- irish / anti-catholic attitudes are prevalent all over this country, as can be seen anywhere Celtic play – ask Aiden McGeady / Neil Lennon / Celtic fans in general.
Also in places visited by the support in England (eg. Blackburn / London).
Blame Catholic schools – haven’t heard that one for a few days. Only seems to be a problem in this country though. Wonder why that is ???
“Celtic songs and actions, which are equally as vile as the Famine Song” – name them please………..
“After all many Celtic fans seem to believe they have more allegiance to Ireland than Scotland”.
What country’s flag is most noted at Rangers Games ? Here’s a clue – it’s not Scotland, and it’s got a wee hand in the middle.
Tyhe people who go out in the marching season with their sashes – are they showing allegiance to something Scottish ?
Are you only concerned with pointing out negative Celtic stories ?
Again, I wonder why that is ????
“Remember these young players were born, live, went to school, learned their football in Scotland. Their fellow countrymen wish to be proud of them and wanted them to have chosen to play for Scotland. They feel betrayed, which is reflected in some of the words of the Famine Song”.
So, all of the above applies to me. If I then for example went to work abroad, instead of here in Scotland, would I be betryaying people like you.
Or would I only be betraying you if I went to work in the Republic of Ireland ????
Just say it simply that it’s because of the choice of country.
Again, no mention of Brian McLean of M’well, who chose N. Ireland……….
No condemnation / put downs for the likes of Goram / McCall / Gough. But they’re all great guys, eh ????
“your great great grandmother did not have this freedom, as unless the children were brought up catholic, she would have been excommunicated from the church”.
I’m not 100% sure of your facts here, but it did give you another opportunity to put the boot in to Catholics in general.
All the anti-racist organisations – including Scotland’s own SRTRC (5 / 6 months later !) have said the famine song is RACIST.
The main football club whose supporters belt out this song have not. Once again, we wait and wonder why not ????…………..
November 6, 2008 at 9:27 am
john n
Has anyone had the thought that perhaps the players who defect to play for the Republic are motivated by plain old greed?
The ROI has had more international success than the Scots, probably offers more money and attracts more talent scouts thus improving an individuals chances to perform on the world stage and perhaps be scooped up by a more prestigious club – lets face it, playing for a Scots club for life should not be the height of a young mans ambition.
November 5, 2008 at 7:58 am
Tony
While I totally condemn the Rangers fans singing of the Famine Song, I believe that Irish politicians have been duped by Celtic fans and made a mistake in getting involved. It is a local West of Scotland issue and dispute. Irish politicians have ignored Celtic songs and actions, which are equally as vile as the Famine Song. Also, a large percentage Rangers fans claim Irish heritage so they can argue the song is not racist. Are Irish politicians going to act impartially and condemn Celtic fans obscenities? After all many Celtic fans seem to believe they have more allegiance to Ireland than Scotland.
Like many Scots I wish to see an end to bigotry from both religious sides within my country. I believe that we are Scots belong the one nation and united but remaining proud of our different heritages. Unfortunately, we have some recent instances where young Scottish football players choosing to play for the Republic of Ireland rather because Scotland because they had an Irish grandparent. Fair enough, they had freedom to choose, but it does not earn them the respect of their fellow non-catholic Scots, indeed it goes along to increase suspicion of the Catholic Church. Remember these young players were born, live, went to school, learned their football in Scotland. Their fellow countrymen wish to be proud of them and wanted them to have chosen to play for Scotland. They feel betrayed, which is reflected in some of the words of the Famine Song.
When fellow Scots ask themselves why these players did not choose to play for Scotland, they look at the influence of the Catholic church with it’s determination to maintain segregated schooling. The majority of Scots felt this divides the country and is the root cause of the bigotry, but felt it was freedom Catholics were entitled to as fellow Scots. However, now we have Scots educated in these schools segrated by choice from their fellow Scots and then refusing to play internationally with their fellow Scots. Is this because they feel the Scots team is racially impure because it contains protestants? Is their decision not to represent Scotland based on a form of racism?
In South Africa the whites wished to maintain separate development from their black countrymen, separate schools, they would not play sport in same teams as their black countrymen. It was called Apartheid, and condemned by the world. Are Catholics in effect practising this in Scotland? By getting involved in rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, Is the Irish government and politicians supporting a form of Apartheid?
Denboy – Your great great grandparents married because they both loved each other. Your great great grand father could marry and continue to practice his religion. However, your great great grandmother did not have this freedom, as unless the children were brought up catholic, she would have been excommunicated from the church. Please remember this and show respect to your ancestor and his religion.
November 4, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Denboy 2000
Paul 1912. You ought to be ashamed of yourself re your comments about Neil Lennon. The only reason Rangers supporters hated Neil was because he was an Irish Catholic.A few years ago I attended a Rangers v Celtic match at Ibrox. (the Arthur Boruc Flag waving Game) and was with Rangers supporting friends in a hospitality box. The bile directed at Neil Lennon was the most vicious I have ever experienced(and that was from the women in the box). I suppose in your eyes the cowards who attacked him are UDA freedom fighters or who will be rewarded with free season tickets for the dump for life!! All because he is an Irish catholic.How sad you lot are.
Re the famine song. It is just another example of how Rangers supporters consider themselves to be superior to us poor catholics. Perhaps they should not forget that many of them originate from Ireland including my protestant Great Great Grandfather. My grandfather was a Rangers supporter and but for his great fortune in meeting my catholic Granny I could have been one of the blue bigots.God forbid!!!
October 28, 2008 at 11:00 am
Auldheid
As I recall John Reid spoke of songs that \”incite\” hatred and violence not \”glorify\”them.
Because the words of The Billy Boys were seen as inciting hatred and violence to an identifiable group, The Billy Boys was deemed sectarian and banned.
The onus on the complainers about The Billy Boys was to show that IN THE WORDS SUNG hatred and violence were being incited against an identifiable group. This complaint was upheld by UEFA.
If the complainers of IRA or any other songs sung by the Celtic support in audible numbers can make the same case then they should do so on those grounds and not on any other.
TBB was not banned because it was offensive but because it was sectarian.
TFS is not being cited because it is sectarian but because it is racist.
But surely the question has to be asked why is it that songs from a particular group
have now twice drawn attention for being unacceptable for different reasons in a civil society?
Surely this is indicative of a mindset at play that should be isolated from the benefits of living in a society that passes anti-sectarian and anti-racist laws BECAUSE it wants to be civil.
October 9, 2008 at 8:30 am
Paulb1912
spud are you serious – a few neds ? so 50,000 odd fans singing are now a few, is this like the juan ghuy who causes all the trouble at games in which celtic are part of like the lighter throwers, the mobile phone throwers, the juan ghuy who ransacked the shopping center in Blackburn…
Neil Lennon is a vile bigot who thrives on his victimhood, fuinny how “worse” players have played for celtic over the last 30 years but not once attacked, yet he does.. mmmmmm something “fishy” about that
October 9, 2008 at 8:04 am
Spuds
There’s a staggering amount of “Whataboutery” evident amongst the Rangers support. To try and compare a few neds threatening Nacho Novo with an “IRA bullet” (incidentally, no, this is not the same IRA viewed as patriots and heroes) with 8,000-odd Rangers “fans” telling an ethnic group (Celtic fans may not be an ethnic group, but once The Famine is brought into it, the targets are obviously Irish, and they certainly are) to “Go Home” (incidentally, I did go home, the very next day) is so far off the chart I don’t know what to say.
You and your ilk are indulging in Whataboutery, so I shall do the same:
Why does Artur Boruc get booed when he crosses himself before each half. He has always done this, even before he joined Celtic, it’s an expression of faith used by millions worldwide daily. I don’t think there’s any doubt that most major stadiums have seen this, and I haven’t heard it being a problem anywhere else. Can you tell me what’s wrong with it?
Why is it OK for Neil Lennon to be booed and jeered playing for his country?
Why does Neil Lennon “deserve everything he gets”?
October 9, 2008 at 6:56 am
Enda
I see the apologists are out in force.
Let’s keep this simple:
The song is racist – the main anti-racism group in Scotland has said so.
It has nothing to do with anything else.
It stands alone. End of.
October 9, 2008 at 4:57 am
Santino
“My suggestion to all right-minded Rangers fans, and you say that you are ‘not a fan of the Famine song’, is to clean up your own house rather than try to point fingers at others”
Ed, I’m not going to get into a slagging match as we’ve bth put our poits cross in a fashion that cna hopefully avoid that.
However, the section of your reply to me that I’ve just listed displays an absolutely shattering level of ignorance.
Celtic are not a beacon of morality, despite your UEFA award, being that you seem smart enough you will not need me to point out that your away support, Same with us, generally falls a good few years behind the home support in terms of cleaning up one’s act.
But seriously Ed, who the hell are you, Ed and any Celtic fans to lecture ANYONE else about sectarian behaviour? Please don’t insult yours or my intelligence by suggesting that sectarianism is some obsolete concept that Celtic phased out decades ago and Rangers are still struggling with: Ask Nacho Novo and Allan McGregor, it’s alive and well. Ask our manager who has regularly been called a DOB in song by your support (oh, wait, that’s just “craic”, eh?)
As for you, FIGHTRACISM, talk about ignorance. See this IRA that are patriots and heroes, is this the same IRA who the Celtic fans were hoping would put a bullet in Nacho Novo’s head?
You know as well as I do FIGHTRACISM that you are hiding behind politics here. You sing about the modern day IRA, modern day IRA bombers who killed innocent men, woman and children of many ethnic backgrounds. Again, don’t insult mine or anyone elses intelligence that you are only referring to a non-militant form of the IRA.
Going back to the Famine Song, once again, it targets Celtic fans. Celtic fans are not a race, they are a group of supporters who support a club who were formed on sectarian foundations to hinder and block the intigration of Catholics with Protestants in Glasgow. I assume I don’t need to point out that not all of the famine victims were Catholic? No? Good.
As for comparing this to Rangers fans or anyone else telling muslims, blacks or any other religious or ethnic group to “Go Home”, you really have to take it into context.
Celtic fans, regularly, home and away, insult the monarchy of this country, sing songs about their soon being “no protestants here at all” along with plenty more assorted anti-British bile. We’re not telling some subtle we group of settlers who love this country to go home, the irony is clearly lost on you all given that you sing about how much you hate this country and the monarchs in the first place.
Need I remind you that such behaviour is a criminal offence.
If this campaign is to go on Phil, then carry on. But please don’t hide behind the “You racists made my child cry” bullshit. This is a one-sided campaign with the sole intent and purpose of landing Rangers fans in the shit. It is not a wide-reaching anti-sectarianism/racism campaign.
If you have the balls Phil, I’d be interest to hear you answer the above points. I’m all for freedom of speech and I’m not personally offended by anything chanted or sung by Catholics or Celtic fans, especially not at a football game. But the reason why I and others bring up the, as so many of you Celtic fans call it “aye but he did it first” crap is because, well, both clubs still have a problem, both clubs have to sort it out.
Quite simply, as Celtic fans, you support a club who still have a minority but a significant number none the less who partake in Anti British, Anti-Monarchy and Anti-Protestant Chanting. The level of which is irrelevant, it still exists. Therefore, the fact that Phil and the other bastions of morality are not willing to condemn this at the same level (probably because they agree with the sentiments of these fans!) makes it utterly ludicrous, and it invalidates any credibility you lot can hope to muster from these moronic crusades.
Maybe when the problem is solved amongst the Celtic support, you lot can try and climb up on that high horse and hope to have the justification to stay there.
Until then, May I politely request, that you make clear your REAL intentions with these campaigns?
October 8, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Ski Bunny
“My suggestion to all right-minded Rangers fans………. is to clean up your own house rather than try to point fingers at others.”
Surely this is exactly what you are doing, maybe you should take your own advise Santino!
October 8, 2008 at 5:56 pm
jim marshall
Its easy mate – this can all be stopped in a heartbeat.
Lend some vocal support and urge Celtic Heirarchy to openly ask their supporters to stop singing Pro IRA songs which are without doubt more offesive than a little tattie munching tongue in cheek jibe at the kid on Oirish
October 8, 2008 at 4:42 pm
FyldeCelt
To claim that \’pro-IRA chanting by Celtic fans\’ has worsened over the last 2 years is a complete lie. I am a season ticket holder who attends most home games and I challenge anyone to sit next to me and point out any unacceptable songs. Nobody would dare say the same for Rangers. This whole episode is making me doubt whether the \’decent Rangers fan\’ exists.
Attempts at all levels of their club to hide behind the \’they\’re as bad as us\’ smokescreen will eventually catch up on them.
This is a racist song sang by the vast majority of the Rangers supporters home & away and against teams and individuals with any Irish link or background. It is an absolute disgrace in the modern age.
October 8, 2008 at 3:29 pm
FIGHTRACISM
Santino
Nobody has a monopoly on songs of bad taste or insensitive nature.The song is racist,without a shadow of a doubt.The call for an ethnic group to repatriate is as racist in many ways as it gets.Incidentally Graham Speirs had nothing to do with UEFA sanctioning Rangers.Furthermore,there is no legislation related to Equality that i am aware of that can prohibit people singing Irish patriotic songs or songs about the IRA of the War of Indpendence or their predecessors.They are revered all over Ireland as patriots.You cannot ban patriotic songs because they are Irish.Incidenatally the only PIRA song that Celtic fans tend to sing is Roll of Honour and that is a handful on occasions at away games
October 8, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Ed
Rangers fans are yet again attempting to defend the indefensible.
Show Racism the Red Card (Scotland), a body set up to deal with racist issues in football, among other areas of Scottish society, have deemed the song racist.
As have: Kick it Out, the Equality and Human Rights Comission and the anti-racist and anti-fascist group Searchlight – all acknowledged and respected experts in the field.
But some Rangers fans so NO!, so they must be right? I don’t think so.
FACT: The song is racist.
Santino, in post 2 says: ‘To be honest, I’ve noticed the pro-IRA chanting within the Celtic support worsen over the past 2 years or so…’
I make this request of Santino: Prove it.
There is limitless proof of Rangers fans singing vile sectarian, bigoted and now racist filth. Limitless!
Prove your assertion about Celtic fans.
I doubt you will however, and for this reason: just saying something is true doesn’t make it so and it won’t be accepted as true without supporting evidence. And that, sir, is something you will not find for your accusations, because your accusations are without any foundation. They are simply false.
My suggestion to all right-minded Rangers fans, and you say that you are ‘not a fan of the Famine song’, is to clean up your own house rather than try to point fingers at others. ‘But he did it too, mammy’ is the justification of child, not an adult with adult responsibilities.
Rangers fans with any sense of morality should do their utmost to rid themselves of this significant number of depraved people in their support – or accept that they must face the inevitable consequences of their cancerous prejudices.
October 8, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Ian
The song may be in poor taste but it is not ‘racist’. It mocks Celtic fans and their sentimental, ill-informed preoccupations. Celtic fans are not a race.
October 8, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Santino
fans who choose to indulge in chants such as the Novo song and the like.”
No-one is saying that, but no-one from Celtic is doing anything about it.
This crusade from the Celtic-Minded Fans, and the supporters of these crusades in the media, are becoming very tiresome with their one-sided campaigns. To be honest, I’ve noticed the pro-IRA chanting within the Celtic support worsen over the past 2 years or so because so many of them probably feel they have carte blanche to sing what they want, when they want as the spotlight isn’t – and never is….-on the Celtic support over sectarianism.
I am not a fan of the Famine song, but smearing it as racist and claiming that a full version is being sung all the time with the sickening lyrics posted is ludicrous. True enough that these lyrics were posted on a message board, but the chorus is the only part sung. As a Rangers fan, I do however, hate the prominence the song is given amongst our support, especially when we have plenty of traditional songs that could be sung in it’s place.
Nacho Novo and Allan McGregor are and have been subject to constant, regular and serious sectarian abuse over the past couple of years, yet Celtic, Celtic-Minded constituents and the like have not made any attempt publically call on the fans participating in this to stop.
Whilst the song should probably be stopped, the biggest problem is that it has given those who are determined to make sectarianism look like a one-way street in Scotland ammunition they didn’t even need.
I also find it bizarre that Dr John Reid has sent a letter to Celtic fans asking for the ceasation of songs that glorify violence and murder, when he, in fact, according to a certain ex-Labour MP turned Tadio Talk-Show host, taught said host “Every IRA song” he knows.
As for your attempt at impartiality Ryan, as you’ve pointed our, Rangers have been fined twice by UEFA and are the only club who have been in Britain if I recall. We’re also the only club to receive a warning from the SPL/SFA for the same thing
Simple Question: Are Rangers the only club or support who have indulged in this behaviour?
Here’s another one: Is it not undeniable that Graham Speirs, who, by his own admission, actually reported us to UEFA AND translated songs and chants to ensure our punishment?
October 8, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Ryan
I find it staggeringly unbelievable that bodies and delegates from countries outwith Scotland are having to get involved in this. I’m sure that UEFA are also reluctant to get involved in this as well despite TWICE fining Rangers in the past for sectarian chanting. UEFA prefer to leave these matters in the hands of the FA of the country involved and I am sure they are baffle and bewildered by so-called journalists bombarding them with e-mails and youtube footage of fans of “the other mob who haven’t been fined” and inviting them to punish Celtic because one side is as bad as the other.
However, waiting for the SFA to take action on this could involve a long wait when you consider who the chief executive of the SFA is. A man who, before he got the post of CE, claimed that there was an “agenda” against his beloved club. A man who claimed that he regarded “Catholic schools as the enemy” when he played schoolboy football in Ayrshire. Don’t hold your breath.
Now, no-one is suggesting for a second that Celtic and every single last one of their fans are innocent wee souls who are pure as snow. Celtic officials have publicly come out and condemned the minority of fans who choose to indulge in chants such as the Novo song and the like. This is the key difference. Celtic are saying they have a problem of sorts and want to sort it. It is NOT a sign of weakness to identify and admit any shortcomings. Rangers spokespeople (from within the club and outside) have spectacularly failed to condemn any of this at all. It’s almost a case of “Well, they wind us up with their very existence so we have a right to sing these tunes regardless of how we are seen by the outside world”.
In a world of financial turmoil and uncertainty, it seems that the bigot’s pound is a currency that is unaffected right now. Surely that’s not the reason for the lack of condemnation from within the hallowed walls of Ibrox.
October 8, 2008 at 8:28 am