I’m not taking the SPFL- face recognition plan too seriously but that’s not to say the politics behind the suggestion should be ignored. Scottish football has no hooligan problems, compared England or the Continent our game is orderly and sedate. Until recent years there was no such thing as a flare problem, and offensive signing was a thing of the past.
All that changed when the SNP government got involved in 2011. Two managers shouted at each other after a game, three Rangers players were ordered off, and First Minister, Alex Salmond decided a summit was necessary to reign in the game’s wilder elements. What utter tosh.
Three weeks later, Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill congratulated fans on creating a great atmosphere at the League Cup Final, which was notable for the re-emergence of the previously eradicated Billy Boys song. At an instant MacAskill rebased what was acceptable behaviour at Scottish football.
Since then the game has been trying to put the genie back in the bottle. The arguments were rehearsed in the CQN comments pages and elsewhere, “They are congratulated by the Government for singing The Billy Boys and we can’t sing about nationalist politics”, or words to that effect. Songs which had disappeared from the Celtic support lexicon were soon back and remain. Incalculable damage done by two incompetent clowns.
Since then the Scottish Government and a very small number (very small indeed) of senior officers at Police Scotland decided to subject football fans to the kind of surveillance that would make a military junta of a banana republic blush.
It’s a mess. Officers on the ground readily complain in private, all other political parties pledge to repeal the Offensive Behaviour’ Act, while sheriffs line up to mock cases arising from the Act. Football has been left to pick up the pieces left from a Scottish Government created problem. The Government refuse to accept any liability, will not repeal the Act and having celebrated a new, low, standard for spectator behaviour, seem quite happy with the situation.
Scottish football was doing very well before the Government decided to rebase what is acceptable behaviour. No football authority will succeed in any endeavour if the government is working against it. What the SPFL did was make a clear, if clumsy, attempt to return the problem to sender – the newly disinterested in football Scottish Government.
When one becomes six
I’ve scoured the internet today but cannot see any complaints about Celtic’s alleged “one up front” tactics. This season hasn’t gone to plan, but we’re making an incredible number of chances and scoring a remarkable number of goals.
One up front leaves space for, what is in effect, two wingers on each flank, and an attacking mid able to work inside the box.
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Well said that man.
http://thecelticnetwork.com/blog/2016/01/20/its-all-we-ever-wanted-celtic/
THE GREEN MAN
I’m thinking of wearing a niqab to my next game. It works for me on so many levels.
A wee bit of solidarity to our oppressed minorities,no chance of facial recognition working,and I look good in black.
And even better wi my face hidden!
FRED QUIMBY
GOOD POST.
Alfie Noakes
The pot calling the kettle black.
I seem to recall many of your disparaging remarks about poor people.
What a brassneck you’ve got.
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/e15fhf/tw/b5Qs69
Try this link for me BMCUW and thank you.
There will be various events to help raise money but any budding artists/designers/sculptors out there here is your chance to win a fantastic prize!
More details on both Facebook and Twitter @GortaMorGla
Face recognition is it .
What about them two faced bassass.
Are they going to get away with it, or get hit twice eh!
MINX1888
Works well,a great reason to repost it nearer payday.
If you don’t,I will.
The Scottish Govt have levelled the playing field by handing the decison making to the police.
They cannot police the large numbers singing sectarian songs in their thousands.i doubt that many out with football fans in Scotland even know what they are singing.
It easier to police little boys sing nationalist songs. It also splits the Celtic support.
We need to stand alone with no ties to Sevco. Not convinced the Board feel the same.
The Croatian Midfielder is infact here on trail not to sign a deal as things stand
Latest gossip
Fred Quimby on 20th January 2016 1:19 pm
Every time the OBFA is mentioned I make a point of stating it needs binned. That’s what I believe. It’s stupid and unworkable.
Do you agree with the article that TBB had been consigned to history prior to it being brought into force?
One positive in this facial recognition scheme is that we may get to find out what Derk looks like!
Paul 67 Et Al,
There is absolutely no doubt that football supporters are generally better behaved now that ever before. This latest facial recognition that I believe will cost the taxpayer millions is a complete waste of our finate resources. It is a big brother step too far.
This money would be better spent in subsidising ticket pricing to encourage more supporters into our grounds. Not as another device in basically treating supporters as potential criminals.
Politically in Scotland we are moving into a dangerous place. Mistakes are not being addressed, valid questions are being brushed aside and no one in the governing party is allowed any dissent. Breaking ranks is simply not tolerated. Free speak from ministers ( or aspiring ministers ) Has been closed down. Individual conscience is never allowed to be expressed openly.
Is this democracy as we would wish it ? The forthcoming elections will in all probability strengthen the SNP’s grip. Voters will vote for them while not fully understanding the full consequencesis. Our ” opposition ” parties really need a good shake, it is no exaggeration to say that our futures, freedom and values are in jeopardy.
Subsequently The OB act is here to stay, along with the introduction of more draconian powers and surveillance. And indirectly we are all at fault ( with a few notable exceptions)
Football had the intention of letting the working man let of a bit of steam ( not smoke I may add ) . This basic value is being eroded.
We have enough cameras around our streets to recognise anybody going to games. Our city centres are saturated with cameras. Did they work when the gangs of Ajax thugs and their helpers marched from the city centre to the Gallowgate. ?
Football in Scotland has enough problems, our fans treatment on football coaches is unbelievable. I could not believe the conditions when I read them. Public safety or police state ? Yes we have some undiserable elements, any large crowd will have them, but to treat all fans as if they are potential criminals is undemocratic.
A few years ago Man Utd v Arsenal had a global TV audience of 1 billion. This is the scale of our competition. Government summits would be better to encourage rather than deter football fans.
Hail, Hail.
I was at a Scottish Cup Semi replay against the team from the City of Discovery one Wednesday night, the Saturday game had been a borefest.
Dundee who had an excellent squad at the time, Thompson Allan in goal, Dixie’s nemesis big George Stewart at centre half, big doug houston who would later play for the dark side at left half, John Duncan (who Big Jock coveted) and wee Jocky Scott up front, yet they parked the bus.
Their manager davie scheidt claimed they played to win to which Jock relied naw the didnae they played for a draw and draws are nae good in cup competitions.
It was only in the last 10 minutes when Jinky came on for Dixie that the game brightened up.
For the replay the Buzz Bomb who had struggled in the 1st game dropped out through injury and Jinky came intae the side.
For some reason I was in the schoolboy’s enclosure that night behind the Dundee bench. After the teams came out wee davie (who was derided on national TV by the Big Mhan for stating rankers would win in the following day’s game) approached the dugout much tae the derision of the Tims in the enclosure, he then burst out with “do youse think you should win every game” only for the fans tae practically urinate themselves laughing, wee davie had a squeaky Emlyn Hughes type voice, sounded like a tart.
Anyway same scenario as Saturday with the bus being parked. However, we did dodge a bullet late in the game when a doug houston thunderbolt seemed destined for the top left hand corner only for super ally hunter tae fly across goal and not only stop it but catch it as well.
So on we went tae extra time. Jock comes on the park, calls Davie Hay and big George over, makes a rotating sign with his hand and Davie is now sweeper with the Fife Beckenbauer as playmaker in the middle.
We ran out winners with a Jinky brace and a single from Kenny, all orchestrated by George of the Jungle.
BURGHBHOY on 20TH JANUARY 2016 1:35 PM
One positive in this facial recognition scheme is that we may get to find out what Derk looks like.
VG
Off to my cot,nightshift all too soon.
Wee bit of tourist info required,if anyone can help.
My sister and her pals are off to Kraków in a few weeks for a short break,so she’s looking for some touristy information.
I’ve already suggested the salt mines,she was a bit sniffy till I mailed her some photos! But,erm,that’s it from me…
So if anyone can help,I will as ever be deeply appreciative.
Thanks in advance,and fingers crossed.
TBB was not extinguished. As a matter of fact they didn’t, stop singing it because it .was sectarian/racist, no the old Rangers (IL) board made a statement saying that they couldn’t sing it anymore as they may be arrested. There was no condemnation of the song, just a warning of the consequences.. They did not condone it. Sevco are doing the exact same thing, just warning fans I not to sing it but no condemnation whatsoever por cierto
WEEMINGER on 20TH JANUARY 2016 12:41 PM
‘I also believe that Manchester was still fresh in their minds when the summit was held.’
###
No doubt the SNP thought that what took place in Manchester wasn’t already illegal under existing legislation. That’s why they had to do something.
I’m not sure how credible that is.
weeminger on 20th January 2016 12:41 pm
I’m sorry Paul67 I rarely disagree with what you write but to say BB was all but eradicated prior to the OBFA is errant nonsense.
I also believe that Manchester was still fresh in their minds when the summit was held.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/return-to-snp-sender-when-one-becomes-six/#sthash.CHMHmkQf.dpuf
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I agree – far from eradicated and the run up to OBFA being introduced saw bullets bombs and death threats sent to Neil Lennon and others connected to Celtic.
The fundraiser for ‘Help us build an Irish Famine Memorial in Glasgow’ is at https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/e15fhf
ERNIELYNCH
I get your point,but even the biggest hun apologist must realise that jumping a copper wi about fifty of your mates breaches one or two laws. And that’s only for starters.
As you infer,we were the main target for the law. They took their chance when they got it,as opportunistic politicians everywhere do.
I blame the democratic process,personally.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ZBqpEUbik
The facial recognition is what you do, when you don’t want to do anything.
You’re right Paul, the fault here lies with the devolved administration in Holyrood.
Árd Macha
BMCW – ‘re Krakow the salt mines are worth a visit. Also Auschwitz. If she likes the mountains she could try Zakopane about 1 hour drive. There’s also nearby thermal baths and breweries in the area.
If she’s a city girl there’s enough bars and restaurants in Krakow to last her a weekend.
Also get her to the check the weather before she leaves – it was -14 C last night
ernie lynch on 20th January 2016 1:42 pm
I meant more in the sense of the behaviour of football fans generally.
Unfortunately for us the most recent polls show the general public show that they support OBFA, mostly because a) they don’t really understand it and b) they aren’t really affected by it.
Perhaps the tide was turning in our favour. Maybe that’s the real reason behind the recent focus on smoke bombs etc (I see ICT have released a statement on them today)
Facial recognition?!?! On the face of it, who nose what will happen ear.
I’m gonnae outfox them wi’ wearing a balaclava backwards. Missus has been suggesting that for years actually.
cunningplancsc
Greenpinata on 20th January 2016 1:36 pm
Guessing here but I don’t think politicians have any interest in attracting more people to watch football matches. Football is a bit of an embarrassment and a nuisance as far as I can tell, unlike here in England where the establishment got over their snotty attitude to football once the grounds went all seater, the oiks started getting priced out and the foreign money started rolling in.
La Bella Italia ..
TIm Cup Quarter Final — Napoli 0- Inter 2 .
Napoli did all the work but couldn’t convert their domination into goals . Inter scored 2 very good goals on the break . First one was a screamer from the mercurial Jovetic .
Ugly scene on the touchline as the 2 Managers had a screaming match . A raging Roberto Mancini claimed afterwards that “-he ( Maurizio Sarri , Manager of Napoli ) called me a poof and a faggot ” Sarri responded with a ——— ” he annoyed me ,I lost my temper ,I can’t remember what I said “. Sarri has a long history of racist , sexist and homophobic remarks. ..
The seemingly obligatory off the field violence came at half time when a mob of Napoli Ultras scaled a fence and attacked the 100 or so Inter fans who had turned up to support their team . Police used batons and tear gas to force the Napoli Ultras back over the fence.
TD67,
Great article. Let’s hope the team build on this performance, especially those players lacking in confidence. Let’s hope too that the support really do support them.
I was just wondering if these facial recognition cameras will be used at Orange parades?.
Or does that not count?
By the bye, Paul67, excellent article. While I am not a fan of the SNP, I think, to be fair to them, they have realised what Salmond and Makaskill are like and they have been sidelined. Isn’t Salmond trying to build a new career as a shock jock? Makaskill doesn’t have that choice, of course.
PARKHEADCOMSALFORD
I agree.
Weeminger,
woohoo, thank you :o)
Eight goals and we get a political article!!!???
police have never had my picture as I have never been arrested and/or charged
how will they recognize me or my face ?
Good Afternoon CQN
!!Bada Bing!! on 20th January 2016 1:06 pm Crowd for last night given as 45,659. What’s the point in that ? I know they include ST’s but…… – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/return-to-snp-sender-when-one-becomes-six/#sthash.ALnmzpKn.dpuf
Baba Bing they must have counted me twice as I moved from one end to the other at Half time
Not on a lot but try to read site every day
Paul 67 keep up the great work and thank you for this fantastic site
Helps keep me going
I manage to get to the game last night (what a game 8-1) going on 28
First match I have manged since the Aberdeen victory 3-1
Caught up with the lads and lassies from the Kano foundation
They are doing fabulous work with the kids keep it up and god bless you all
Hail Hail
God bless
Mt
ernie lynch on 20th January 2016 1:42 pm
No doubt the SNP thought that what took place in Manchester wasn’t already illegal under existing legislation. That’s why they had to do something.
I’m not sure how credible that is.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/return-to-snp-sender-when-one-becomes-six/comment-page-2/#comments
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I think Manchester was a long time before the OBFA but what took place there wasn’t covered as it wasn’t in Scotland, That changed with the OBFA – Rangers fans were charged at a Berwick game – maybe more?
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 20TH JANUARY 2016 2:07 PM
police have never had my picture as I have never been arrested and/or charged
how will they recognize me or my face ?
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/return-to-snp-sender-when-one-becomes-six/comment-page-2/#comment-2758052
Not a problem, someone in here will grass you :))
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 20TH JANUARY 2016 2:07 PM
police have never had my picture as I have never been arrested and/or charged
how will they recognize me or my face ?
###
Well perhaps they might start arresting people just so they can build up their database.
Blantyretim
You will be on file somewhere.
HH.
BT,
hazard a guess, go on