The former Liverpool striker was due to give analysis in Raith Rovers’ Championship game against Kenny McDowall’s team at Stark’s Park.
But Collymore claimed he was “taken off the show” by the broadcaster. However, a spokesman said they had not dropped or sacked him, indicating it was Collymore’s choice.He tweeted: “Just had a call from @btsportfootball. I’m taken off tomorrow’s show. Absolutely fine. Better to be right than bury my head. Enjoy!
“I can hold my head high and say I did the right thing to challenge hypocrisy amongst Rangers fans. BT show #RFC games, so inevitable.”
The outspoken broadcaster had demanded Rangers are pulled off the TV if their fans continue to sing sectarian songs.
After announcing the news on Twitter, Collymore became locked in a fiery online exchange with some sports fans, many of whom brought up his violent past and domestic violence.
It had been triggered after Collymore backed a petition which said: “Boycott sponsors. Sectarian chanting is illegal. Demeaning.”He had urged his online followers to show their support for the petition and said if they signed it he would “take it to every sponsor and tv/radio station I know”.
The former international star hit back at his critics and said: “All @btsportfootball have done is empower right wing mob rule. Nothing else. 8 friends and I have cancelled already. Hypocrisy.”
He also wrote: “You can get sectarian, racist, threats from Rangers fans, but can’t tell truths. Censorship & fascism alive and well in 2015 Britain.”
Attention may now move to BBC Scotland who have shown more live games featuring the Ibrox side in recent seasons than any other club, despite Rangers* being a lower league club. At the recent league cup semi final, broadcast live on the BBC, around 25,000 Ibrox fans sang about being ‘Up to their knees in fenian blood’ and also the racist Famine Song – which has lyrics so vile they could not possibly be repeated here.
The football authorities, the BBC, its pundits (including Pat Nevin) and Police Scotland have all ignored this illegal, sectarian chanting. Nevin once falsely accused the Celtic support of singing sectarian songs at the same venue in a match against Motherwell. He said he would speak out whenever he heard sectarian songs being sung. Well there were plenty sung on 1st February Pat, all from the Mount Florida end.
After the recent semi-final CQN contacted Pat Nevin but we still await his reply.
*Formed 2012
