Bigot Watch
BIGOT WATCH
I was extremely pleased that, as always seems to be the case, the minute's silence for the US tragedies was well respected by those in attendance. But it struck me at Ibrox that there was a bit of hypocrisy from some of the Rangers faithful. This minute was to pay tribute to people who had died at the hands of terrorists. It was in the wake of comments from the US President and the UK Prime minister that the World was at war with terrorism. How many people in the Stadium were sporting terrorist regalia? How many would be singing songs supporting the "provos" in Ireland? How many would be playing tapes or CDs supporting these organisations in their cars on the way home?
I am not sure that there are many at Ibrox, or Celtic Park, who support the terrorists on either side of the great divide. But maybe they should have another moment of reflection and think about the misery that the organisations that they support has brought on families all over the UK.
It also got me thinking that some of the problem in this incident was about polarised religious belief. The Muslim/Islamic community see themselves as being dumped upon by the western Christians. Maybe both sets of Fans on both sides of our divide should also have a think about the actions that they take in the name of their religion and put it into perspective. Maybe they should also put the past behind them, the Battle of the Boyne was over 300 years ago, the Irish immigration was way back at the start of the last century.
This has been followed by the latest campaign to curb sectarianism being launched at Glasgow City Chambers last month. It was interesting to see what level of support that each club gave it, Rangers sending Arthur Numan who seemed to deny knowing anything about it, and Celtic sending their manager who should have some real insight being an Ulster man himself. Then O'Neill blew it by stonewalling the questions of BBC's Forbes McFall, and for me making himself looking stupid and naïve. I believe he should have faced the question and said he would do all he could. How much would it hurt for him to have said that he'd put a piece in his programme or the Celtic View. This was typical of the desire to appear to support these campaigns publicly, but really only playing lip service to them.
David Murray is always given great praise for what he has done at Ibrox, this seems to be based entirely upon signing Catholics for the playing staff. Bigotry and sectarinasm is still rife in their stands, with the club having to stop playing Simply the Best because of the change of lyrics from the fans. Bhoys against Bigotry was a big thing by Celtic, and is widely regarded as ridding the stands of Celtic park of sectarian songs, but this was not the evidence I saw and heard at Fir Park recently.
This all smacks of double speak to me, and I worry that the truth is that like many of their fans they believe that nothing can be done to prevent this. This is a view I have heard many Celtic and Rangers players express. If that's what they all believe then we are stuck with the problem forever!!
Graham Barnstaple
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