As a journalist you usually know you’re doing your job when people aren’t pleased to see you.
My family are pleased to see me, and my friends welcome me into their homes, so I don’t take it personally when people don’t want to see me and my press card.
Its only business it isn’t personal.
Billy Singh of “Show Racism The Red Card” (SRTRC) wasn’t pleased to see me at Tynecastle last Friday.
It is ok Billy this is business, nothing personal.
I had, since, mid September been trying to get an interview, a comment even, from Billy Singh of SRTRC.
I had spoken on the phone with two of his colleagues.
I wanted SRTRC’s view on the Famine Song.
Many people considered the song to be racist and it was sung at soccer grounds by Rangers fans.
The nice people at SRTRC told me that Billy Singh was dealing with the issue and that I would have to deal with him.
I left my number, but didn’t get any reply.
I had to go to print in the Irish Post on Friday October 1st with SRTRC having made no public statement about the Famine Song.
Later that day SRTRC made a statement via their website that singing the famine song could lead anyone singing it to be liable to arrest for a “racial breach of the peace”. This statement on the SRTRC website was, err, very similar to the statement released by the Ibrox club in late September.
At this stage I felt like one of the journalists who were piecing together the sequencing of the Northern Ireland Peace process. Who was writing statements for whom?
Still no call from Billy.
Finally on Monday 6th October STRC made a public statement via their website that, in their opinion, the Famine Song was racist.
Phew!
I know that several Irish community organisations had approached SRTRC in May to complain about the Famine Song.
Still my phone didn’t ring.
A journalistic colleague who works at the Scottish parliament told me that there was due to be a charity football match played between a SRTRC select and MSPs at Hearts’ ground Tynecastle.
No brainer.
A few clicks on the Aer Lingus website and I was good to go!
It is fair to say that Billy was surprised to see me turn up in Tynecastle, as the game was about to start in Hearts home ground on Friday 17th October.
I introduced myself and showed him my press card. I told him I was researching a piece on the Famine song.
I asked him why SRTRC had taken so long to state publicly that the famine song was racist?
Billy stated, “We have always considered the Famine Song to be racist! It brings nationality into it, it is racist and it is wrong.”
I asked Billy why, having been petitioned by Irish community groups about the song in May, that his organisation had only made a public statement two weeks before our conversation October 6th? Billy could not answer my question, but conceded that the October 6th statement on the SRTRC website was the first public pronouncement by the organisation on the Famine Song.
Billy stated that SRTRC was “working behind the scenes with Rangers football club and the Rangers supporters organisations.”
Billy went onto the field of play and slotted in at right back, he did very well.
As I watched the “Red Card Select” confirm to the MSPs that they would never have made it as footballers (I stopped counting the score after five to the Red Card).
I chatted with Red Card manager for the day Lex Gold.
A very amiable man he is.
He explained to me that the SPL did not have a songbook of banned songs and he, publicly, could not have an opinion on the Famine song, as he might be the guy to punish an SPL club if they were deemed to be negligent in tackling racism among their own supporters. There was, of course, a corollary to this. If the SPL deemed the club in question to be doing all that were possible to eradicate the illegal behaviour of their fans then the SPL would not punish the club. He agreed with me that, in a situation where the club could not be found to be negligent in tackling racism by their fans, but that if that racist behaviour persisted then it was a matter for the police not the SPL.
I also interviewed SFA boss Gordon Smith.
The ex-Rangers man stated that the SFA could not have a public view on the Famine Song as the SFA was, in effect, the court of appeal of SPL clubs.
If the SPL punished a club, for whatever reason, and the club thought this unjust or unfair then the club could appeal to the SFA.
Subsequently, Smith explained, the SFA could not have a public view on the Famine Song for that reason.
I also asked the SFA chief about the treatment of young James McCarthy who had decided to play for the Republic of Ireland. Smith was particularly adamant that young James McCarthy of Hamilton Academicals should be left alone “It is his decision; it was his decision to make. He should be left alone!”
In fairness he couldn’t have been clearer or more unequivocal. People should leave young James McCarthy alone and respect his decision to play for Ireland.
That was from the guy at the top of Scottish soccer as we chatted in the away dugout at Tynecastle. He had just came off the field of play where he had scored the goal of the match, a twenty yard curler with the outside of his right foot.
Smith’s goal was an absolute cracker. Even topping Chic Charnley’s swerving shot which was also from outside the box.
As the Red Card team celebrated Gordon’s goal Gary McKay started to sing to the MSP team “Are you the House of Commons in disguise?”
There is nothing wrong with rubbing it into your defeated opponents, nothing at all.
Everyone who assembled in Tynecastle that day was saying that racism could not be included in any song or chant in soccer.
Agreed.
I had been concerned that following on from Ally Ross’s piece in the Sun attacking James McCarthy’s decision to elect to play for Ireland instead of the country of his birth that he would be the victim of racist abuse.
I had been in phone contact with the club secretary Scott Struthers the week before I travelled to Scotland and I was impressed with vehemence with which he objected to the attacks on James in the media.
Moreover he told me that everyone in the club knew that James would declare for Ireland.
He explained to me that following on from the Ally Ross piece James was not speaking to the media.
This I fully understood.
I attended the Hamilton v St.Mirren match the following day at New Douglas Park.
I had called him the day before on my way back to Glasgow from Tynecastle. Scott was surprised that James had not been in touch, but it was absolutely no problem on my part.
I told him of my intention, as a journalist, to attend the next Hamilton match and sit in the away end.
I attended the Hamilton v St.Mirren match the following day at New Douglas Park.
James McCarthy was subjected to sustained racist abuse in the second half from St. Mirren fans.
Every touch of the ball was booed. In the second half Hamilton were attacking the away end. Each time McCarthy was on the ball for any length of time some chant or other would be struck up. “Plastic Paddy” was the main chant.
In the scale of racist chanting this wasn’t up there with the shameful treatment of Mark Walters by Celtic fans in the 1980s. However, it was, throughout the 2nd half sustained. There was a vociferous minority of St.Mirren fans at the back of the away end where I was sitting.
Every touch of the ball was booed from the time I took my seat with a few minutes played right through to the final whistle.
In the first half he was the only Hamilton player who was booed by the St.Mirren fans. In the second half as Hamilton chased the equaliser.
James McCarthy was regularly on the ball charging from midfield towards the St.Mirren goal.
On each occasion he was running with the ball the chant of “There’s only one plastic paddy!” would strike up from the hard core of St.Mirren fans.
After the match I went down behind the goals and introduced myself to a senior police officer. I showed him my press card and told him that I was in touch with Scott Struthers the Hamilton club secretary and that he was expecting me.
As we walked around to the tunnel area I asked the police officer had he heard the abuse directed at young James McCarthy?
“Yeah he gets a bit of stick doesn’t he?” stated the officer with a slight giggle.
I thought, little chance of this law enforcer approaching the match delegate though the appropriate channels.
After several phone calls and emails I got to meet Scott Struthers. Lex Gold had spoken of him in high terms and I had already made, as one does, an assessment of the disembodied person you are communicating with.
He is a fine man, with only the best interests of young James McCarthy at heart.
He was willing to go on the record about the booing. He declared that he was “disappointed” at the conduct of the St.Mirren fans towards James.
I was lead into the press box where the rest of the media were preparing words and images of the soccer watch we had all just witnessed. When I was asked what blatt I was working for a couple of the pack were interested in the piece I was researching.
One sports journalist who I won’t name to save his blushes stated to me that:
“This PC thing has gone mad hasn’t it?”
I thought of the event I had attended the previous day.
I countered with “ when is anti-racism political correctness? Surely it is beyond debate that racism is a social evil and that it should be confronted at every opportunity?”
“Yeah, but James McCarthy is white and Scottish so it can’t be racist!”
This, I suspected, was what he thought to be a winning polemical point.
“Well racism isn’t necessarily a matter of skin colour, although of course it can be. FIFA and UEFA are very clear that racism can be about nationality, citizenship or ethnic heritage. The abuse aimed at James McCarthy was specifically about his Irishness and his decision to declare for the Republic if Ireland. Hence the abuse was racist.”
His answer was a mumbled “ Yeah, suppose….”
I considered that if this was typical of the level of awareness of such issues in the pressroom what chance the supporters in the cheap seats?
Scott Struthers then brought young James out to be interviewed by me.
The first thing that strikes you about the young Irish midfielder is that he IS young.
I was standing in front of him outside the pressroom at New Douglas Park and thinking that this was a boy doing a man’s job.
It wasn’t the time or the place to have a relaxed examination with a hassled 17 year old about issues of national identity. So my questions on his wearing of the green were to the point.
“Why did you pick Ireland James?”
“When I was young, when I was a kid I would always watch the Ireland matches on the telly.”
For a fifty year old to hear a lad of 17 hark back to the days of his innocence made me smile, but it was a clear and precise answer from the lad. He felt drawn towards Ireland. He qualifies for Ireland through his mother’s side. Donegal people. His uncle Hugh Coyle had stated quite clearly in a piece in that day’s Sun that James was Irish on both sides of his family. In qualifying to play for Ireland he also was entitled to legal citizenship.
I told him
“You will need to get yourself one of these for your travels!” as I brandished my Irish passport. His smile said it all. James McCarthy is for the wearing of the green.
James told me “the Irish set up has been great.” James told me that in a recent 2-2 draw with Portugal his midfield partner is Owen Garvan of Ipswich town and that he hoped that they could strike up a partnership together.
I told him that he would need to learn the words of An t-Amhran na BhFiann. He promised that he would!
When I asked James could he hear the abuse from the St.Mirren fans?
“Yeah I heard it, but I just keep my head down and try and block it out.”
James McCarthy is a lovely young lad, polite and well mannered. As I left New Douglas Park I hoped that the fans of all Scottish clubs would heed the words of Gordon Smith and leave the kid alone.
The following day not one of the Sunday papers that covered the match mentioned the booing of James McCarthy.
There was no doubt that anyone in New Douglas Park that day would have known that James McCarthy was booed every time he got a touch of the ball. They may not have heard the “plastic paddy” chants from the knot of St.Mirren up at the back of the away end, but almost the entire away end was booing when James was on the ball.
There was no play related reason to be booing James McCarthy, he had not kicked or injured a St.Mirren player for example. So they would have had to discount the fact that the was being booed so they did not need to comment on it
So there it was, it didn’t happen. Within 24 hours of the Show racism the Red Card football match and the fine words here was racist abuse of a young Irish kid and not a mention of it in the papers.
The next day (Monday) I was on my way to the airport when a journalist colleague in Dublin called me to say that there had been a match report on the Hamilton official club website which had mentioned the racist abuse of James McCarthy by a section of the St.Mirren fans.
Luckily he had printed the screen because a short time later the match report had been amended and the reference to “racist abuse” had been excised.. I called Scott Struthers to ascertain what had happened. He confirmed to me that that there had indeed been such a match report on the club site, but that it had been altered. I asked him why and he said because there had been no abuse of James.
“Sorry Scott, but I have you on record as saying that you were disappointed at the booing of him every time he touched the ball”
“Yes” the club secretary replied, but there wasn’t any racist abuse of James.
I heard the unmistakable sound of goalposts being moved. I reminded Scott that I had personally told him after the game about the chants.
“Yes, but it was only you who heard them.” He said, “ There was no report by the stewards or the police.” I thought of the policeman who had taken me around to the tunnel.
I thanked Scott for taking my call and for all the hospitality and help he had afforded me on the match day and before in facilitating my work.
I remain of the opinion that Scott Struthers is a fine man.
Scott had told me that James had given an extensive and exclusive interview to the Advertiser the week that he wasn’t speaking to the press (after the Ally Ross piece in the Sun). It was a hunch.
I got through to Andy McGilvray who covers the “Accies” home games at New Douglas Park. I told him who I was and the conversation I just had with Scott Struthers.
“That’s nonsense I heard it!” I asked Andy where in the ground he was?
“I was in the main stand right in the middle.”
“Like, above the tunnel area?”
“Yeah”
“And you heard the ‘plastic paddy’ stuff?”
“Yes, everybody heard it!”
I asked him could I go on the record with this conversation and he agreed (or you wouldn’t be reading it now) I thanked him and hung up.
My cell phone immediately went off in my hand again, it was my colleague in Dublin. He had been intrigued by the censored match report between, lets face it, two not every unimportant Scottish soccer teams. He had gone onto a message board for St.Mirren fans and there had been reports of phone calls made to the Paisley club by St.Mirren fans about the original Hamilton match report.
A complaint from St.Mirren to Hamilton, I thought, seemed a likely explanation for the removal of the original match report.
I called St.Mirren and asked to speak to the press officer. I was told that he was on vacation. Ok could I speak to someone else? General Manager Brian Caldwell took my call. He denied that there had been any racist abuse of James McCarthy. I told him that I had heard the abuse and that I had been in the away end. He countered that he had also been in the away end and that he had heard nothing! Mr.Caldwell then asked me what I was doing in the away end with the St.Mirren fans. I told him, quite bluntly, that following on from the Ally Ross piece in the Sun and the Real radio football phone in that I feared that James McCarthy might have been the target of anti-Irish racism because of his decision to play for the Ireland.
“So you went there looking for it?” accused the St.Mirren general manager.
Well yes Mr.Caldwell I’m a journalist I was there checking out a story. It is what journalists are supposed to do! Journalists find stories and then report them to the public. I admitted that it was a small minority of the St.Mirren fans that were subjecting James to the abuse. Mr.Caldwell then stated that if it was only a small minority then it wasn’t a story. This I told him was a slightly different from “it didn’t happen at all”.
Silence.
At that stage it seemed almost impolite to tell him that a journalist from the local paper sitting in the main stand could hear the racist abuse of James McCarthy that Mr.Caldwell sitting in the same stand as the St.Mirren fans claimed he could not.
I thanked Mr.Caldwell for taking my call.
I am back home in Ireland now and I can reflect that in the space of four days I attended an event dedicated to eradicating racism from the game in Scotland, a soccer game where an Irish kid received racist abuse and found out, by looking at the Sunday papers, that such abuse didn’t make it into a single match report. Moreover there is a hesitance in Scotland to call what happened to James McCarthy racism.
You know, as a journalist, that you’re doing your job when you ask questions that people don’t want to answer.
Alan a Hamilton fan
This abuse is now expected in Scotland, Rangers fans in particular have their own anti -Irish agenda….. the ’sheep’ follow claiming their “go home” and “your in the wrong Effin country” are a jibe at not playing for Scotland ….Racism for me thinly veiled but racism no the less…
http://www.setbb.com/acciesworld/viewtopic.php?mforum=acciesworld&t=6304&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&mforum=acciesworld
November 5, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Spuds
78 william
Oh I see….so it’s obviously not racist then. Thanks for pointing that out.
November 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Ryan
I know William,
How dare anyone be offended by a chant which has been deemed racist, vile and offensive by independent no-partisan organisations, MP’s and HM’s police force. Where is everyone’s sense of humour over this fun supremacist ditty?
If you still feel the need to dsing it in public then try and explain your wee variances on what people hear and what you actually mean with yer wee bit o’ banter.
Man, try and join the rest of us in the 21st century blinker-boy. I look forward to attending the next Celtic-Rangers game without hearing this vile tripe, but then again I don’t share the same sense of humour. Any chance you could sing a pro-Rangers song or 2 which doesn’t mention Celtic, Fenians or the Irish?
November 3, 2008 at 9:34 am
william
Are to too stupid to realise the difference between “go home” and “Why don’t you go home” One is a direct order the other is an offer. It amazes me the lengths people will go to these days to be offended
November 2, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Keigan McCann
I have at in work and had to explain why the famine song and abuse of James McCarthy is RACIST.
Anti-Irish racism is generally accepted in Scotland. I said to a colleague of Asian ethnicity…how would you feel if in your workplace if you face chants of “Paki go home”….she looked straight through.
I said to her that although I am white, both my parents are Irish (Tyrone and Cork) it doesn’t mean I can’t or my parents can’t suffer racist abuse.
My old man was know as ‘Paddy’ at work for years. His forename is not Patrick.
October 31, 2008 at 11:51 am
Ian
74-Gerry.Only thing missing was our day will come.Many people march on our streets.Republicans and Loyalists.Ban them all i say and give us all peace.I switched on TV on Sunday and watched Australia v Ireland Gaelic football/Aussie rules.Lo and behold there was the fields of Athenrye with all the add ons ira etc.I was shocked as i never expected that in such a gentlemans sport.Just for the record Gerry if our small minded nation hate the Irish so much why have so many Irishmen and women made this country their own(my family members included)Whas like us.
October 29, 2008 at 2:51 pm
gerry
Brian McLean – formerly of rangers. not sure if he’s still with Motherwell.
I’m assuming he’s of scottish parentage.
he chose to play for Northern Ireland.
Has any abuse ever been directed at him from the media / from the terracings ?
No ?
Now I wonder why that is………. that’s a difficult one.
People in Scotland NEED to start telling the TRUTH, nothing but the TRUTH – from the SFA / the SPL / rangers football club / the media / supporters.
Only then, can this best small (minded) country move on.
You have to laugh (if it wasn’t so sad) at all the comments from non-celtic fans saying that Celtic Supporters are so hung up about Ireland.
Tell me, don’t people march down the streets of many towns every year due to an event in Ireland ????
Don’t rangers fans carry many non-scottish flags (Northern Ireland) to games ????
If people of Irish descent had been accepted and welcomed over the past centuries, do you think that would have made any difference to anything at all ?????
Somebody wrote that Aiden and James turned their backs on Scotland – was it not scotland that didn’t bother about them originally ?????
On Real Radio on the way back from the Celtic game on Saturday, Cameron tried to say that if James McCarthy had chosen to play for Australia or Jamaica, he would still get the same abuse. Fortunately, Rough kind of told him how niaive he was (or how he wanted to come across).
As I said, people – from the top – just have to be honest and tell the TRUTH – many people in this country – all over the country, not just west of scotland are anti-irish / anti-catholic / anti-celtic. Simple as that.
Admit it, and we can only pray that it will be dealt with – assisted by Education, Education, Education……
Phil, keep up the great work. Keep fighting the good fight.
October 29, 2008 at 9:28 am
Dave S
Andy 71
I think it reprehensible that you condone the abuse of young men plying their trade, because they choose to play for a country that has looked after them and coached them in their formative years.
I suppose that the abuse that Neil Lennon took at every ground in Scotland including Love St was not sectarian or racist probably more to do with his ginger hair.
October 28, 2008 at 9:55 pm
ricky
sorry Andy McDade ,but McCarthy and McGeady were rejected by Scotland,and that is fact.Possible from a St Mirrem popint of view the reason you sya they were booed may apply ,but given the history of Rangers fans and their past ,it is quite clear why they boo him.Noel Hunt had the famine song sungat him every time he touched the ball at Ibrox in May.Now Noel Hunt was born in Ireland ,so he cant be accused of jumping ship.As far as i know no other sides fans gavehim a hardtime for being Irish,so tell me why the Rangers fans did???
October 28, 2008 at 9:11 pm
andy mcdade
It’s interesting that Owen Coyle, among others, never got that kind of abuse – apart from the predicatable as ever Rangers supporters, of course. Is it because he was at the end of his career and wasn’t going to get a game for Scotland? In the case of McCarthy and McGeady, they are both Scottish born of Scottish parentage and, at an early age, chose to turn their backs on Scotland and play for a foreign country. That’s why they get abuse from other Scottish teams supporters, nothing to do with it being Ireland they chose.
If the journalist in question had done a bit more homework and attended or even watched the St Mirren v Rangers game a few weeks ago, he’d have heard the chant “We support our local team” coming from the home support. For the Buddies, that applies at a national level as well as club level.
October 28, 2008 at 9:25 am
Ryan
Jimmy Meadow,
Quote:- ‘thousands of fans wishing death on a foreign opponent (I hope you die in your sleep Nacho Novo)’.
Please give me an example of this. Or is this yet another case of sling some mud and see what sticks? I can emphatically state that I have NEVER heard the lines sung at Parkhead, or even by thousands at an away game. Unfortunately, a handful of buckie-fuelled neds seem to revel in reciting this through the Gallowgate on the way to games and even at that are shouted down by people who have more than on brain cell.
You are going down the usual internet debate of posting in comments which you arrogantly have convinced yourself is fact, in order to condone your own vile hatred.
To use one of your own spurious arguments, how many people have been arrested at grounds for singing the Novo chant? How many have been arrested for singing Rebel songs?
It’s not exactly a true gauge of right and wrong is it?
Also when you refer to the Novo chant has it not been roundly condemned by posters on here and the vast majority of Celtic fans everywhere? Not one Celtic fan has posted on here whilst trying to justify and condone anything which is out of order. The same cannot be said for TFS.
Leith Lounge Lizard,
I’m sure in an extreme minority of cases (like Aberdeen & Hibs fans for example) are anti-Celtic for purely football reasons. However, in the majority of cases (our Glasgow rivals) anti-Catholic, anti-Irishness and being anti-Celtic is all tied into a convernient complete package. As long as things like TFS are ignored (though not for much longer) then this will remain the case for as long as I live unfortunately.
October 28, 2008 at 6:20 am
Ricky
I have to laugh at those who bring up the singing of IRA /Republican songs by Celtic fans as some sort justification for the singing of this song.What about the singing of songs by Rangers fans and the like about the UVF (fathers advice,here lies a soldier ) or the UDA ( Orange wings).Ive followed Celtic all over Scotland and the only 2 grounds were the abuse ive received has not been sectarian was Easter RD. and Pittodrie.Tell me this though if its because the lad has rejected Scotland(which he hasn`t) why then were Rangers fans singing “you can stick the tartan army up yer arse”…obviously aimed at the Kriss Boyd scenario but not very Scotland national team friendly is it.Scotlands shame
October 28, 2008 at 5:22 am
BLF
I am afraid this article is nothing other than the paranoid ramblings of a sensationalist. There was no racism directed towards McCarthy at the abovementioned match, yes he got booed and heckled, as do most good players! Fans will try to unsettle players, particularly talented ones, to gain their side an advantage, much to the chagrin of the writer above, that is all the abuse of young McCarthy was.
On a more general point I do agree that racism is not confined to colour, and can be applied to nationality or heritage.
The real danger of this article (and others like it) is that it takes the emphasis off of the real racism evident in the game, the ‘famine song’ for example. Booing a player is not inherently racist just because said player is not the same as those doing the booing, that ascertain is dangerously close to racism in itself.
October 28, 2008 at 4:33 am
Martin
You are quite correct Dubcelt,
The abuse of James McCarthy is now being reported in the Irish media. The fact that the Scottish football authorities have put out a statement on the Famine Song is because Irish football officials, many Irish football fans and some Irish politicians now want this brought up at UEFA level. Given the history and reputation of Rangers fans within Europe there are some determined to now make them responsible for their actions and hit them hard. Walter Smith is a decent fella as is David Murray but even they can’t control the vile hatred that many Rangers fans pour out on a weekly basis. What is surprising is that it is the younger Rangers fans who largely encourage and sing it loudly. I know veteran Rangers men who have NO time for it. The most annoying part of this shameful episode is the role of ‘Establishment Scotland’. The Scottish political and media world have buried their heads and tried to ingore this hoping that by not mentioning it will make it go away. Others in Scotland support the sentiments of the song but dare not say it in public. The Famine Song stirs up the wide anti-Catholic, anti-Irish and anti-Catholic feeling that exists throughout Scotland. Only by continuing to bring it up will anything be done. It is unfortunate that decent Rangers fans and Scottish people are caught up in this but their silence only makes it worse. The decent minority will unfortunately also have to take the blame with the guilty majority.
October 27, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Leith Lounge Lizard
In reply to comment 33 from Paul, if a player born and raised in Scotland and still playing for a Scottish club was to choose to play for England he would get a lot worse abuse than young McCarthy is getting, you can be sure of that! I\’m not saying that it\’s acceptable, just that it\’s not anti-Irish.
I\’d also like to point out that being anti-Celtic does not mean being anti-Irish or anti-Catholic as some responses on here would seem to believe.
October 27, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Dubcelt
Jimmy Meadow63 & 64
Firstly I\’d love to hear how the booing of Neil McCann because he played Scotland\’s Shame was sectarian. Please explain. You obviously know something about his religion.
And secondly there will eventually be arrests for singing the racist famine song. Society will not stand for racism. They hoped you half wits would give it up yourselves but your disgusting racist abuse of a 17 year old kid on Saturday and no doubt tomorrow, will be the line in the sand.
October 27, 2008 at 3:42 pm
jimmy meadow
59. Tell me Auldyin, how many people have been arrested so far for singing The Famine Song?
I’ll give you a choice in case you are struggling.
A. None
B. Zero
C. Ziltch.
It’s about time some people stopped all this mopery and got a life.
October 27, 2008 at 11:10 am
jimmy meadow
53. Martin, did you find it offensive when Neil McCann was subject to sickening abuse when playing for Scotland against the Republic a few years ago or is secterianism a one way street for you? Also it’s funny that while you have stopped visiting Scotland as a tourist you continue to visit that cess-pit of intolerance called Celtic Park where you will be surrounded on occasion by thousands of fans wishing death on a foreign opponent (I hope you die in your sleep Nacho Novo). You sir are a hypocrite.
October 27, 2008 at 11:05 am
PaulB
Martin
Thats good we dont want you over here anyway you lying SOB, anti irish – dont make me laugh son, we embrace the true IRISH people, you know the ones that HATE all forms of terrorism.
Anti-Catholic – again dont make me laugh, the Catholic population in Scotland is growing and flourishing, tell me if there are so many anti-catholics then why do we encourage integration and no separation unlike the Catholic Church
Anti-Celtic – you better belive it son, we hate an organisation that prudly welcome republican band into there stadium, a club that does nothing to stop its supporters singing death threats to “another catholic player in Nacho Novo” or sing terrorist songs
October 27, 2008 at 11:03 am
Martin
Further to my previous post. I go over to watch Celtic several times a season and will continue to do so. I also used to go to Scotland 4 or 5 times a year to visit relatives and spent £200 – £300 per short visit. I have stopped this and have told my family why. I don\’t want to contribute financially to a country that is rank rotten and stuffed full of large anti-Irish, anti-Catholic and anti-Celtic elements. I am also informing relatives in other parts of the globe NOT to visit and spend money in Scotland UNTIL the Scottish Executive and media start to treat this serioulsy. It has already worked as my Aussie relative went to the South of Ireland and England rather than Scotland.
October 26, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Why boo Noel Hunt?
First, try the line “Eh, it’s just banter”.
When that one is shown up, try the “Eh, you’re just too sensitive” line.
Move then swiftly on to “Eh, what about you, then. What do you sing?”
We all know who Scotland’s Shame is. It resides at Edmiston Drive.
October 26, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Auldyin
The argument that TFS is not Racist will not stand up in court. If it was not racist Rangers support would not have been warned that they face arrest. You only get arrested for breaking a law and TFS breaks anti racism legislation. But by all means try out the “banter” argument as the judge fines you for breaking the law.
October 26, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ryan
William,
A huge thanks for the above post!
I have long been asking for certain posters to come on and, rather than trying (foolishly and hopelessly) to defend the indefensible, just admit outright an unrelenting hatred of all thing Ireland and Irish. You have saved us all time and energy. I suppose your beloved Rangers will now be handing back their TV coverage cheque to Setanta should they decide to go home.
I’m off now to discuss the relevant merits of a multi-cultural society with David Duke and Nick Griffin. Sure beats battering my head off the PC monitor! Mind you, I am a Thick-Mick Plastic Paddy!
October 26, 2008 at 2:42 pm
william
By the way if all the immigrants went home Scotland would be in some state, you would be left with the junkies, jakies and work-shy for a nation. lol.
My goodness mc, A very racist remark, Thats why we want the Irish to go home, And if they did the only thing we would lack in this wonderful protestant country would be Big Issue sellers, Are you blissfully unaware of the massive heroin problem in Dublin.
People in Scotland are not anti Irish, Hibernian football club are the real Irish club in Scotland, Celtic are linked to violent irish republicanism, All irish songs sang at Celtic Park are to linked to violent republicanism, Why should be we accept songs in support of murderers who killed our brothers, family and friends in cowardly bomb attacks, wake up and smell the coffee,
On another point, In case you are unaware Scotland has produced some of the greatest scientists, inventors, chemists and engineers in the world, you can t walk 5 metres without coming into contact with something invented by a scotsman, Lets look at what Ireland gave the world, global terrorism, Dana, Terry Wogan, Westlife and Johnny Logan
October 26, 2008 at 11:37 am
Alex
My goodness, the frivolity of this article and others of its nature is breath taking. If only Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks had to contend with silly songs and boos from drink sodden football fans. As far as I’m aware the Irish people that I have met, (including those of “Irish descent”) find life in Scotland so comfortable that it’s preferable to living in Ireland itself.
October 26, 2008 at 8:03 am
greg
trevor, more recent DNA / geneaology studies have evidenced differences between celtic and saxon make up.
The Celtic lineage comes from our Iberian cousins who mixed with the Moors people.
This was used to denegrate the Irish peoples by the victorian facista who knew that if you present a people as less than human, you can get away with any form of crime by saying any action taken was for their betterment.
A basic tenet of imperialism, nazism and fascism in general.
This victorian attitude is still evident in the thought processes of many in Scotland and it needs to be eradicated.
Scot’s are responsible for the establishing the KKK whose symbol is a celtic cross.
The Irish can be equally as bad when it comes to racism and they too need to get their act together, but utlimately we should get our own house into order – bricks in glass houses……
October 25, 2008 at 8:23 pm
mc
My how times have changed, it wasn’t so long ago Celtic players were getting booed whenever they pulled a Scotland jersey on by their so called ‘own’support. We now have players berated for not choosing to play for Scotland but one they are actually entitled by birthright to play for and what happens they get booed, you can’t win in this bigoted backwater. Novo may be eligible to play for Scotland by simply living here no family or historical connection and is welcomed with open arms-sums it all up really.
By the way if all the immigrants went home Scotland would be in some state, you would be left with the junkies, jakies and work-shy for a nation.
October 25, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Martin
I watched the Rangers/Hamilton game and the sectarian abuse directed towards James McCarthy was vile. It was constant and seemed to put the young lad off a bit. Like Neil Lennon, Aiden McGeady and Noel Hunt he is being subjected to racist, bigoted bile. In the case of McCarthy and McGeady this has been been stirred up and actively encouraged by certain Scottish journalists whose sympathies DON’T lie with Celtic. Scotland is rotten and awash with anti-Irish and anti-Catholic bigotry and it seems to permeate ALL sections of Scottish life. As an Irish citizen I still go to watch Celtic but have stopped going as a tourist UNTIL the Scottish Executive starts to address this.
October 25, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Stuart
With regard to the “report” on the Hamilton v St Mirren game……Good journalism my bahookey!
At what point does exaggeration become lying? Well I consider that point passed by the author.
McCarthy was not “booed at every touch” in fact hardly at all, “plastic paddy” was shouted twice by one individual within the StMirren support, McCarthy was booed on occasion during the 2nd half when he was attacking the StMirren fans end, the only “chant” aimed at McCarthy was one of “who are you” when from a promising position he blazed the ball out of the park. One chant, chanted once! “Plastic paddy” not chanted at all, ever!
Perhaps the author is getting McCarthy mixed up with Mark Corcorran, ex StMirren player, booed at every touch during the pre-match warm-up & booed roundly during the game by StMirren fans, for turning his back on the club.
It seems to me the author came to this game with his “story” already written.
To the author, next time you come to Scotland to continue your career in “campaigning journalism” & “literary dissidency”, don’t tar the name of non-sectarian football club & their support with a pile of libelous rubbish merely to suit your ends.
October 25, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Tom the Tim
As a Scottish Catholic of Irish descent I laugh at the idea that abuse of McGeady or McCarthy is racist.
They are Scots, they carry British passports. They get abuse because they chose not to play for Scotland.
October 25, 2008 at 10:54 am
Kev.
Good article,
the questions begs however;
Why is there no video/audio coverage of the St Mirren Fans chanting?
October 25, 2008 at 2:51 am
mark feely
I think it’s a disgrace that we’re still having these types of discussions concerning the Irish debate. I would imagine that a lot of the people who give the likes of James McCarthy & Aiden Mcgeady abuse don’t even follow Scotland but just see it as an opportunity to have a go at these young lads. The mainstream press have avoided the real reason for the divide in the west of Scotland for years & that is the Orange Order. This organisation has one aim & that is to maintain the divide between Catholics & Protestants. When will we see all the descent people of this country unite & get rid of this filth?
October 24, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Andrew McDomald
Hi Phil,Being brought up in Glasgow as a catholic,reality set in very quick when looking for a trade in the shipyards as soon as what school did you go to was asked,I was refused the job at every trade.That was 62 years ago,it seems nothing has changed,I watch the games here in Canada,where I live now,and at every ground in Scotland,McGeady is hounded just because he is catholic and playing for Ireland and for no other reason,the bile is still rampant and now this young boy is berated also,if he played for Wales,not a murmour.The powers that be have not changed there and keep the bowler hat brigade alive and thriving,not a word said about the taunts of Artur Boruc but plenty about his finger,and blessing himself ,wearing the holy father on his tshirt,anywhere in the world this would be ignored but not in Scotland.The whole country turns it\’s back on this shame,sanctioned for 100 years at every level.I met Pat Crerand in Las Vegas and he was telling me That the Scottish manager at the time he was playing for Scotland was handed down a team sheet from the SFA,13Rangers players on it whether the manager liked it or not.The SFA is riddled with them,Smith and CO.Good luck to young McCarthy,he\’ll need a thick skin to survive the Venom that is Scotland,glad to be out of there,Cheeerio
October 24, 2008 at 5:22 pm
John
Very good piece of journalism and I hope that more people complain to the powers that be in Scotland. We have to eradicate this cancer and we have to keep chipping away at this vile and disgusting bile that is ever so prevelant in scottish society
October 24, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Sarah B
I don\’t think it\’s a great article. I think it\’s been written with more than a little bias.
As a female and Queen of the South supporter – with absolutely no leanings towards either side of the old firm, I find this whole \’religion/racial abuse\’ issue beyond belief.
I have no idea why Celtic play and sing Irish songs at their games. They are a Scottish football team. In my opinion this practice encourages Rangers to counteract with the likes of the famine song. And the hard core Rangers supporters are no better. It\’s six of one and half a dozen of the other.
As for James McCarthy. As far as I\’m aware, he is not Irish. He was born in Scotland as I think were his parents. For me, it wouldn\’t matter if he\’d chosen to play for England, Wales, Jamaica – he has turned his back on the country of his birth and will get stick for it. I would view it differently were he born in Ireland and moved to Scotland as a young child – but he wasn\’t.
Personally I\’d like Celtic to go play in Ireland and Rangers to go play in England.
Neither would be missed and Scottish football would benefit greatly.
October 24, 2008 at 4:18 pm
cal
get some banter about ya!
why do some sad, primadonnas feel the need to tell people what they can and cant do?
its people like you who ruin football and are turning it into the prawn sandwich brigade it has become. when i started going to matches with my dad – it used to be brilliant – banter, a laugh and just good fun. people feel scared to have that banter and FUN now which has contributed to it being boring. i see hardly any young guys at games – i agree that is partly due tothe price but also because it is boring and i’d rather be in the pub.
who cares if he’s booed!?!?!?!?!?!? its not racist – it is because he chose to play for someone else rather than us!!
and your probably going to delete this! and if you do it shows what you are – almost dictator like as people cannot express opinions unless they are the same as yours!
CRINGEWORTHY JOURNALISM
October 24, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Erol
They just Don’t get it, do They !!!! …. God Bless You & more power to You for Your Bravery & Honesty in the face of all these unselfaware, perversely twisted & basically mentally-challenged dim-wits ….
HAIL HAIL !!!!
CHAMPIONEES !!!! CHAMPIONEES !!!!
October 24, 2008 at 11:50 am
James
An excellent article,the journalists actions in Scotland over that weekend is the beginning of breaking Scotland’s last taboo.I am fed up listening to Rangers fans trying to justify the Famine Song,you would think that after all the relevant bodies who have condemned the song as racist that such well versed defenders of the song would have the sense to shut up and stop making themselves look like the fools and bigots they are.
The bottom line to Celtic fans support of Ireland is because thats who founded our club and to give support,encouragement and pride to its devastated exiles,there is not a \\\”Pastic Paddy\\\” in Timdom or Scotland because we are all celebrating our clubs roots regardless of our religion or family ancestry.
Keep up the good work Phil,I would have suggested that the Rangers fans choice of chants and song in the last few years are a last refuge of defiance due to their teams complete ineptitude over the past 3 years to win trophies of much importance but I realise that wouldnt help the long held and accepted obscene level of racism that exists in Scotland,Phil,you have more support than you could possibly imagine.
October 24, 2008 at 11:44 am
paul
I have been there and sung all the songs but i say this, rebel songs are few and far between at celtic park, and i might add that i did not hear the love street tanoy man condeming sectarian songs from the rangers fans a few weeks ago ,is he just like the press and got selective hearing?
October 24, 2008 at 11:01 am
Da Man
Excellent piece of journo Phil,thing is,at Hamilton v Rangers,we can expect the same amount of hostility,if not worse than the St.Mirren fans subjected young James last week.
I was born in England,lived there for 6 months,by the grace of God came up to live in Scotland,now if i had a choice of playing for any country,it would be Scotland without any question at all,that would be my prerogative,same as James McCarthy’s,so why doesn’t the Rangers,St Mirren et al fans give this lad a break.
October 24, 2008 at 10:16 am
Ian
Young James is a tremendous talent and was only booed because he is a terrific young player.If you want to use your jounalistic skills why dont you watch Setanta games when the old firm play away from home.You will be treated to IRA AND UVF songs about killing and maiming of innocent civilians.I have relations from both sides of the divide and religion is never discussed.My daughter of 24 actually asked me which religion she was.The problem a i see it is there are too many protestants and too many catholics and not enough christians.I was over in Ireland last year to watch St Mirren and was delighted to see the WHOLE community able to venture where previously they could not go and live in relative peace.Im not naive enough to think that the problems have simply gone away but gangsters on both sides have grown rich through terrorist activities.The Irish people now regognise this and said enough is enough.May we all live in peace as one as god wanted us to do.Please come back to a Saints game and join us for a pint and a bit of craic.Im sure you will find that we are neither racist or bigoted.We just hate the old firm.
October 24, 2008 at 10:03 am
Frank
A fantastic piece of journalism which shows the hypocrisy which reeks throughout Scottish football, and indeed, wider Scottish society. How we challenge this is to work together in Scotland and make our voices heard becuase with unity there is strength.
Very shortly in Glasgow – in the City Chambers in George Square – an organisation will be formally launched; ‘The Irish in Scotland Diaspora Association’. Among the new bodies members will be all the significant Iriish commumity organisations in the country, including, comhaltas’ branches, Celtic Supporters Associations, Irish Dancing Organisations, andc indeed, all with an interest in the preservation and articulation of the Irish identity in Scotland. The new organisation, among other things, will seek to challenge and refut our detractors in Scottish society. I will post more info as it becomes available.
October 24, 2008 at 9:39 am
Ryan
Peter,
Have you bothered to read any of the background to James McCarthy? He didn’t turn his back on ‘his country’. If you read the comments of the Hamilton chairmen it is made abundantly clear that ‘his country’ had no interest in him even if he wanted to play for them and not the ‘enemy’.
I don’t recall similar treatment for Brian McLean, the Scots-born ex-Ranger who chose to play for Northern Ireland due to family connections. Same with Rangers legends Andy Goram, Richard Gough and Stuart McCall (who was actually on the bench for England under-21s) who most certainly did NOT represent the country of their births. Were they labelled ‘Plastic Jocks’ and told to go home? What’s the difference.
If you want to report your fellow countrymen for racist and sectarian bile in YOUR country, then what is stopping you? Many of your ilk (and so-called sports ‘journalists’) have tried to do so before to no avail. I wonder why that is? More Papist conspiracies perhaps?
As I have stated many times before, if certain posters would just come on and freely admit to having an unremitting hatred of Ireland and all things Irish (especially in relation to Celtic) instead of trying to condone the indefensible, then we could all move on.
Lunchtime’s over – I’m going home, or back to work (but please no-one tell the dole office, you know what us Tims are like!).
October 24, 2008 at 8:31 am
peter
surely the player was being booed for turning his back on his country? its a cruel world, the least he could expect was a few boos from a ‘minority’ (as you admitted) of st mirren fans.
cant believe the amount of people on here banging on about what great a piece of journalism this article is. how about tackling the issue properly and reporting your experiences from a celtic v rangers match?
or, as most likely, dont you want to report your your fellow countrymen arriving here every week to spout their secterian (or is it racist) bile in my country?
October 24, 2008 at 7:02 am
Mark McManus
Excellent article.
For the idiots to stop singing the ‘famine song’then ordinary fans, and not just journalists, need to make a stand. I’ve written to UEFA, the SFA and Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister. Whereeas my voice alone may not make much of a difference, if evceryone expressed their disgust and emailed the above perhaps something would get done?
Maybes aye, maybes no’.
October 24, 2008 at 6:35 am
Steven
Wow Steve_G aren\’t you the inteligent one why the people of scotland (which i am) put up with your narrow minded stereotypical uneducated blatently racist views are beyond me,
John Canoe your comment about catholic schools being sepratist schools are wrong. I went to catholic school and my classmtes were catholic protestant muslim hindu sikh and many more. Catholic School is open to all i\’m afraid In fact the only difference between them and a non denomenational school was they occasionally held mass on holy days.
October 24, 2008 at 6:30 am
George Craik
I was at a lecture way back in the 80s,Whitehall London given by Phil of “The Celtic League” entitled “The Irish in Scotland true guardians of Celtic culture or despised aliens” it was excellent.The answer to that question is now ringing in our ears. Shame on Scotlands SHAME they don’t even know or understand their own history/culture.
October 24, 2008 at 6:29 am
paul
Get the cards on the table here,it is not choosing to play for another country thats the problem for the bigots,it is becouse he choose to play for IRELAND,if it was wales or england or timbukto no-one would have batted an eye lid! KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.
October 24, 2008 at 5:32 am
JFK
Ah Steve G how can we go home we’re paying your dole money
October 24, 2008 at 5:20 am
FIGHTRACISM
18,
I think when the song is specifically aimed at an Irish player,Noel Hunt in May’s game against Dundee United it tends to reinforce the idea that the motivation is anti-Irish.I am quite satisfied in the assertion of Kick it Out,Searchlight and the Equality and Human Rights Commission who have all said it is racist.
I think the idea that the abuse was centred around James’ Irishness and not any perceived ’snub’ to Scotland tends also to reinforce the idea that it is anti-Irishness that is the motivting factor.
October 24, 2008 at 5:00 am
James Molloy
Phil do you smell like Speirs?
October 24, 2008 at 4:13 am
Geraldine Torney
Why don’t your “Ulster” loyalists go home? They hate Ireland and were put in a position that they have been able to do a lot of damage to my country – let them go back to the country of their roots – support their Queen and Britain and leave the Irish in peace and prosperity.
October 24, 2008 at 12:54 am
Steve_G
Why don’t the people of Scotland love these smelly, unemployable, drug-abusing, benefit-claiming parasitical tims? – I just don’t understand it………..
October 23, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Ted
Er……Why don\’t you just go home ?
October 23, 2008 at 6:38 pm
paul
A rust is slowing growing over the anti Irish/Catholic sentiments widely held in Scotland thanks to articles like this. The more this often unrecognised racism/sectarianism is exposed the faster it shall rot.
October 23, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Geraldine Torney
“However the British citizens living in Northern Ireland who were terrorised by their neighbours may have felt a little less welcomed.”
What??? The British citizens living in the north of Ireland demanded that that part of Ireland is under British Rule and the British Government gave in to their threats of violence. They were settled on land taken from the Irish – those of Irish descent in Scotland were not given anything, they had to work hard to survive.
October 23, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Brian Hendry
These songs are oh so wrong, my poor wee sheep are so upset when you sing “sheep Sha***** Ba*****” who do I complain to
Get a life
October 23, 2008 at 4:45 pm
rose mcghee
I shall be contacting my MP the local counciller and the queen aboot this outrage .
October 23, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Trishb
Excellent article that gives an incredible insight into the double standards and cowardis of people who should know better. Personaly I am sick fed up with the \”authorities\” taking no action. Should I hear any racist chants when I am at a game I will absolutely find a Police officer and insist that he report this to the SPL officials. These chants are audible and clear on footage of such matches therefore all the proof that is needed. I plan to find out how a complaint can be made to the European Courts in respect of racism as this poison needs to be \”outed\” and the cowards who profess to being the \”judges and juries\” of Scottish football will live to regret not carrying out the duties of their post in a fair and proper manner. It\’s frightening that so many people appear to have no principles or code of moral responsibilty. Well done Phil for your dogged determination to report the facts and \”out\” the hypocrasy.
October 23, 2008 at 3:32 pm
John Canoe
Whilst I agree with the principal of your article (racism has no place in any civilised culture) i have to say the content is very dissapointing. Communities of Irish descent have emigrated to Scotland for hundreds of years and lived peacfully within our shores, practised their chosen religion freely and also been schooled in separist schools (which could be seen as sectarian by even the uneducated). However the British citizens living in Northern Ireland who were terrorised by their neighbours may have felt a little less welcomed. This article reeks of desperation and a lack of objectivity. Perhaps if you really feel the need to highlight racism you should look closer to home.
October 23, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Patrick O'Reilly
How are the kids Phil? Still breaking down in tears at the mention of a couple of lines of a song
Sounds more like being brought up in the “Celtic Way” if you ask me
October 23, 2008 at 3:02 pm
FIGHTRACISM
RJ
A truly reprehensible line that you refer to.When exactly was this aired btw mate.People engaging in such expression should be arrested.Likewise the Novo chant.
Trevor,
Do not look for the obsolete concept of racism being applicable only to perceived ‘races’.That school of thought no longer exists.Regarding the IRA chants.There is nothing within any footballing legislation that prohibits patriotic song.In short if the songs are themed around the Easter Rising or War of Independence then fans are perfectly entitled to sing them.You cannot ban patriotic songs just because they are Irish i am afraid,no matter how much some would like to.In fact that is just another example of the lack of equity regarding legitimate expression.
October 23, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ian
14,
The reason it’s “easy” to argue against the song being racist is that it’s not racist. In future perhaps you and certain others should try to avoid taking things at what you see as “face value”.
As for Mr Mac Giolla Bhain’s notion that booing someone from the same country as yourself because he chose to play football for another country is “racist” that is patently absurd.
October 23, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Trevor
The whole argument of the famine song is specious.
The following is the first and therefore main definition from the OED on race
“each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics”
The Irish, Scots, English etc are not different races. They are the same, which has been proved in a court of law in the UK.
Is Phil McGilligan on a personal crusade of some sort
against any implied, ficticious or actual negative point of view about Irishness / Catholicism / Celtc Football Club?
If he is, he had better contact the Americans who have butchered more histories and folklore in Hollywood than any Masonic / Protestant / Establishment conspiracy.
They, like Phil, tend to gloss over actual facts if it doesnt suit their agenda.
How about the conduct of Celtc fans who still chant their support of the IRA both in and out of football grounds and call for the death of opposition players Phil? ( If you are short of material I suggest Google is a good place to start )
October 23, 2008 at 2:43 pm
RJ Alexander
Any comment on the line “soon there will be no Protestants at all” sung by fans of Celtic or is it a one way street, with celtic fans crying at the end of it??
How about the abuse Rangers’ Catholic players get from those angelic Celtic fans. But no it can’t be true people are just anti-Irish or anti-Catholic.
October 23, 2008 at 2:41 pm
James Baillie
an Irish kid received racist abuse
sorry a Scottish/British born kid who has turned his back on his country did.
Seems that you are not as important as you like to think you are.
Any views on Flower of Scotland and the anti British rascist chants that come form Celtic fans or is that allowed?
October 23, 2008 at 2:23 pm
FIGHTRACISM
Ian
It is very easy after being exposed,to emerge with efforts to exculpate the perpetrators by citing ‘mawkish preoccupations with events in Irish history’.The song and sentiments taken at face value are blatant racism.The problem is in part that the Irish diasporic community have been compelled to put up with such attitudes from many with impunity.That perhaps explains why the notion of anti-Irish racism seems unfamiliar to some.I think the best recourse would be for the thousands of decent Rangers fans to feel empowered enough to rid themselves of the poisonous element whose raison d’etre is a profound antipathy to those of Irish Catholic extraction.Incidentally almost every credible anti-racist body have said it is racist.
October 23, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Ian
The so-called “famine song” may be in poor taste but it is not “racist” for it is aimed not at the famine itself or at Scots of Irish descent as such, but at mocking Celtic fans and (as those singing see it) their mawkish and misinformed preoccupation with certain events in Irish history – and Celtic fans are not a race.
October 23, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Patrick McGuire
Good work!
I don’t see why Gordon Smith can’t speak out about the Famine Song, but he can (rightly!) have a “Big Jock Knew” banner removed at a Scottish Cup Game. (you can see a reference to this here: http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.1751431.0.0.php)
October 23, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Gearoid
Cen fath ? feictear go níl a fhios ag aon duine. Ach ar feadh m\’eolais crediem go bhfuil se mar gheall ar na amadáni na SFA agus an phreas na hAlba.
Níor tharla sé riamh! haha. cúis gháire chugainn!
Why does this happen ? Seems nobody knows ( or will admit to knowing ) Personally I think that its due to the stupidity of the SFA and the complicity of the scottish press. It never happened, what a joke ! Anti-irishness is CONSTANT here and not just at football matches.
By the way Im from Glasgow of Irish parents and get the plastic paddy stuff all the time. Have a pal who is second generation Punjabi and who attends classes to learn Bangra drums , I wonder would \’plastic Paki \’ just as easly roll of their forked toungues ?
Is mise
Gearoid
October 23, 2008 at 1:19 pm
kubla
Another great article, having heard you on the football phone-ins, and reading your work I applaud the way you tackle the deep rooted anti irish racism that exists in Scotland.
October 23, 2008 at 12:37 pm
John MacDonald
Good investigation. I wonder if you spent as long looking at the racist abuse some prod got a year or so ago for trying to cross the divide and play Gaelic Football?
October 23, 2008 at 12:32 pm
mc
It is a sad indictment of Scottish culture that obvious racist behaviour is tolerated at all levels of society,fron singing that hateful song to abusing a young boy plying his trade, this piece of journalism proves that.Worse still is the Scottish media and law enforcers who choose to ignore it. It is only by constantly highlighting these occurrances something might be done-but thn again i am know for being an optimist so don\\\’t anyone hold their breath.
Excellent piece
October 23, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Jim McLaughlin
Great journalism. I hope you get it syndicated. Keep up the good work Phil. You have my utmost admiration.
I believe the football establishment will crack under the pressure of good men like yourself.
October 23, 2008 at 11:46 am
Liam G
People don’t like the truth but the truth is being spoken and uncovered bit by bit . Thanks to Phil this won’t go away and we all have a duty to highlight and help Phil ….
IRISH AND PROUD
October 23, 2008 at 10:47 am
Ian M
To follow on about Lex Gold it is questionable that Rangers are doing all they can. All Rangers do is point out the legality\\\\\\\’s of what is being sung rather than condemn it. No doubt it will be left to UEFA to take action again.
October 23, 2008 at 9:43 am
davy watt
i can`t believe that the SPL or the SFA can`t have a public view of “the famine song” just in case rangers appeal any decision to take them & thier support to task over what they both admit is racism. What chance do we have of ridding scottish football of this scourge if the 2 main bodies are washing their hands of it,before anything has been done.As for gordon smith,when he said that “it`d be unfair to punish the clubs,who have done all they can to tackle sectarianism & racism”,then surely gordon if the clubs have “done all they can” & it isn`t working then surely sanctions against the club i.e. points deducted for fans sectarian & racist behaviour,might go some way to eradicate it from the stands at football grounds.Or is it because you know that it`d be your beloved rangers that you`d have to deduct the points from that makes you not want to go down that road.
October 23, 2008 at 9:28 am
Den
It would seem that Scotland’s media’s 100 years plus of “head in the sand”stance on Irish racism continues
October 23, 2008 at 9:09 am
Sean
Great bit of work, bet you felt like one of those civil rights activists in America going to investigate the activities of the people who like to play the Banjo and dance with snakes
October 23, 2008 at 7:50 am
FIGHTRACISM
Lex Gold’s comments are staggering.The legislation relating to sectarian and racist chanting came into being at the start of the 2007/08 season.Why then were Rangers investigated and consequently warned because of songs stemming from the very first fixture at Inverness.Why were Rangers, following his logic,not given time to address the issue given that this was the first game sectarian songs had been sang under the SPL jurisdiction post-SPL legislation.My own view is that Rangers FC were involved to a degree,and i also believe that if and when the Famine Song is censured Rangers FC will have some input.Incidentally that is not a criticism of Rangers FC,more the SPL.
October 23, 2008 at 7:36 am