The Daily Record won credit for scooping the off-field story of the week, multiple investigations into singing by Celtic fans, but others are beginning to ask who gave the newspaper details of a police investigation.
The stories broke in an unusual manner, with SFA referee and policeman, Eddie Smith, named as the person who reported Celtic fans to Uefa and the SPL. The officer made what looks like an inexplicable decision after some confrontations inside Celtic Park, without mentioning a word of his concerns to the Celtic security people during the game – the normal procedure for such incidents.
Smith, who has Celtic supporting credentials, was named, providing the perfect foil to deflect accusations that this was some sort of Masonic conspiracy, which it was not. The entire episode is a classic internecine dispute among Celtic supporters, but with the comments made to Uefa, the story was parcelled up for the Record by a Strathclyde Police spokesman.
The Daily Record reported, “A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: “For Eddie [Smith] to speak to the delegate after the match is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it is standard practice””. This is completely irrelevant.
Celtic’s retort in the same article got to the heart of the issue – why the police are speaking to Uefa and the media but not speaking to the club: “This is quite unprecedented as no issues were raised to the club during the match and the police didn’t inform us directly about their concerns.”
Control over media communications from Strathclyde Police falls to Director of Communications, Rob Shorthouse, (pictured on the left). Shorthouse, whose own favourite team have taken a reputational battering from Uefa in recent seasons, despite silence from the police, should be concerned that the force have given newspapers material for three days of screaming headlines instead of addressing the key concern about departure from established procedure. This has only inflamed a volatile situation between Celtic fans and officers on the ground. Shorthouse, who held a similar position at the SFA until two years ago, will be familiar with the sensitivities of football issues.
Perhaps a Freedom of Information request will reveal who leaked a story that laid out details which reflected so badly on Celtic. All we want is equal treatment, as a former chairman once commented.
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Morning all from a bright North Ayrshire. Any “revelations” in the rags?
antonsleftfoot,
All I would say in mitigation is that the chap on rangerstaxcase is explaining what is in the public domain and is ignored by the media and the self same media are aggressively printing stuff which the relevant authorities didn’t have the courtesy to inform my Club about.
antonsleftfoot
Generalisation.
Everyone.
I think you’ll find that’s a CQN FACT.
MWD
2010 Never Again
It’s good to see this posted on Folgen Folgen
Green Brigade Response To Campbell Corrigan
Over the past few days, Strathclyde Police have orchestrated a media campaign to tarnish our group as bigots, as justification for their power-grabbing and the Scottish Government’s new anti-Football Bill – a Bill that criminalises football fans and the Celtic support in particular. Realising they face a challenge from fans opposed to the Bill, the politicians and police need a scapegoat and they’ve decided that we fit the bill. Lurid headlines about our supposed ‘songs of hate’ have been followed up with a demand from Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan for us to meet him for a dressing-down – a demand made on the back page of a tabloid newspaper.
We have yet to be formally invited to meet Corrigan but we are happy to respond to his public offer with a public response, and to tell him in the firmest possible terms that we have no intention of meeting him and letting him wag his finger in our face. Corrigan’s police force have spent hugely disproportionate resources on policing and gathering intelligence on the Celtic support, and ourselves in particular, including constant video surveillance at matches and a range of petty harassment.
Out of concern with the policing of football fans and the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill we, alongside the other established Celtic fan organisations, formed Fans Against Criminalisation. On October 29th, we held a peaceful and very successful demonstration in George Square to oppose the SNP’s anti-Football Bill. In what seems like a direct response, Corrigan’s police force have since acted against us and the Celtic support. At the match v Hibs that afternoon the police, with no regard for fan safety, waded into our section of the ground in an attempt to make arrests of unknown fans. Match commander Eddie Smith then made a complaint to the SPL about offensive chants and after the subsequent match with Rennes in the Europa League he made a similar complaint to UEFA. Such a complaint is unprecedented.
Following the demonstration and those two matches, several fans have been arrested. In a dawn raid on Friday, the police arrested a 17 year-old boy for a breach of the peace. He has no previous convictions but despite this, he was remanded in custody for 7 weeks on Monday morning, for singing a song that Alex Salmond, Campbell Corrigan and co don’t like. Earlier that morning a man accused of attempted murder was granted bail. The young fan was released last night after the intervention of the Lord Advocate. The Lord Advocate, one of the Bill’s main cheerleaders, must have realised the potential political damage such a case, illustrating the Crown’s attack on fans, would have had on the Bill.
Campbell Corrigan has today been on radio shows, further scapegoating our group. We note that he is also insisting that he will be meeting Celtic fan organisations to tell us all how to behave. After the police’s attack on Celtic fans following the Fans Against Criminalisation demonstration, two Celtic fan organisations asked them for a meeting to discuss their behaviour. The match commander Eddie Smith refused to meet them and his superior, Wayne Mawson, refused to speak of the events of that day. Rather than giving Campbell Corrigan free reign to scapegoat our group for his own ends, perhaps the media should be questioning him on his own force’s political policing.
starry plough says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:08
Morning all..
It’s the same the world over mate………..
Evert teams star player is always linked to someone
How much would you knock back now for K Commons
BigjoejustTrying2getawayFromtheSongsDebate
to all…fair enough, you think what you think, i think what i think.
we might want to get away from anyone thinking that we are part of “the old firm”.
its as stupid as thinking barca or real can could away from el classico.
i see no difference on the internet between supporters of my team and rangers. you are all the same. you might not think it – but you are.
best of luck with that.
Hearts problem.
“A club statement was then released in which Hearts bosses admitted that they do not have enough funds to cover the cost of the players’ pay packets – worth a total of around £250,000 – after handing £1.1m over to HMRC earlier this week.”
Now it seems to me that if they did not pay the HMRC then they would be okay for 4 months wages.
And, of course, if they owed the tax man around £3million, they could afford to pay an even higher wage bill.
Big Joe says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:28
For sure Mate, when you see the Man U’s and Chelsea’s etc chasing 15/16 year olds all over the world you can see that the pressure to have the best players even younger is growing to the detriment of the world game. I’ll be honest with you I rarely watch football now apart from Celtic, the game is rotten to the core.
What I would love to see is Celtic holding on too our best players and building a team worthy of the name and the jersey of Celtic, back in Europe where we belong and dominating the domestic( if there still is one!!)
James Forrest has to one of those we hold onto, Kris Commons will come good again this season as will the others when they return from injury, mon the Joe Ledley!!
Hope you’re having a good day in Spain Mate..
Hx2
TBB
Thank you for mentioning my post from last night.
I noticed you went on later to ask the question our CEO should be referring to the GB in reopened dialogue as a matter of urgency. I say GB, but could just as easily have said Singing Section, they are all the same to me and it’s from where any good musical vibes or atmosphere generated at Celtic Park
Variated lyrics, in one possibly two songs are misheard or misinterpreted, even by Celtic fans, therefore they are not serving the purpose to the extent
that through misinformation they remain and indeed grow arms and legs.
I hope these first steps have been taken, but fight with the bill, can then continue.
2010 Never Again
Every now and then you read a story where your heart goes out to someone…….Someone who deserves your sympathy…..your admiration…..A player who plays the beautiful game with such honesty and integrity.
STEVEN NAISMITH has opened his heart for the first time over the horror injury that’s left his season in pieces.
The stricken Rangers ace faces nine months out after snapping his right cruciate against Aberdeen three weeks ago.
He tells SunSport the agony he’s felt knowing the big games he’ll miss after starring for club and country this season.
But he insists he WILL be back after recovering from the same injury to his left knee in 2008.
Naismith, 25, said: “I’ve come back from this once to do that and I can do it again.
“I was on the upward climb and playing most weeks for Rangers and Scotland but I’ve got to turn that into my drive forward.
“I DID play two full seasons in the Champions League, I DID play most times for Scotland and I DID start scoring goals again.
“Is it worse doing it when I was playing at that level? I’d say it’s comforting to know I got to that level from the injury. I can do that again.”
Naismith is totally gutted he’s got no chance of playing a major part in trying to help Gers to four in a row.
He said: “The feeling of winning the league, of playing a big part in it on that last day or whenever it is, was fantastic.
“If you are on the park going for a trophy or winning one, being involved is a massive thing. I know I won’t be there.
“If that day comes this season I’ll be in my suit.
“I won’t have my gear on and I won’t be dirty and sweaty after playing.
“There’s still a lot of work and points to play for and it could go to the last day like last season.
“But that feeling won’t be there for me this season. I know that.
“It’s not the same but I know I have contributed which will help soften the blow.
“It’s the club I grew up supporting and you will do anything to win.
“I think that’s shown in my game since I came back.
“The first Old Firm game was a great day for us, personally it was a great day scoring my first Old Firm goals.
“Not having the chance to experience that feeling again this season is the gutting part.”
Morning all from gay Paree, pretty overcast with a bit of drizzle (11C max).
And so back to the fitba’.
In a normal state of affairs, there shouldn’t be any problem visting the team that are proppoing up the league. But this is the SPL and we need to be at our best and motivated.
Hopefully, Joe Ledely will be back. He had a great game up there last season in the cup, scoring a couple of goals.
Hopefully, we can come away with a comfortable win, and make Mr Butcher feel a bit of pain.
I dislike that cheating little narky git
blantyretim says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:46
I dislike that cheating little narky git
_____________________________
NO NICE……………………………..but,quite right.
Morning all.
not you sixtaeseven….. o)))
blantyretim says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:46
You’re a master of understatement!!
“Not having the chance to experience that feeling again this season is the gutting part.”
Is that Naismith talking about his horrendous challenge on Rob Milsom which could have put the Aberdeen player out for the rest of the season, or his own self inflicted injury?
I have not an ounce of sympathy for the little runt
bhoys, my faith teaches me not to hate… 8-))
Hi Sixtaeseven,
I think that Ledley is very doubtful for Saturday. Loovens and Mulgrew may be back next week.
blantyretim says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:54
Hate is a heavy cross to bear even though it is often very tempting..
I thought that i hated Novo/Ferguson etc,,,, but Naismith is a whole new ball game,a cheating diving,whining,narky we toe rag,i have no sympathy for him at all!!
Hve to say say though,, i now believe in karma :D
Hail hail
http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/around-the-capital/banned_football_fan_to_dodge_jail_after_sectarian_abuse_chant_1_1968552
Banned football fan to dodge jail after sectarian abuse chant
Published on Wednesday 16 November 2011 14:19
A BANNED football fan who sneaked into a Hearts game looks set to avoid a jail term after being caught chanting sectarian abuse.
James Begbie, 19, from Kirkliston, had already been punished for threatening Celtic fans on an away trip.
And on October 15 he managed to gain access to Dunfermline’s East End Park, a game Hearts won 2-0, through a disabled gate, after which he embarked on the bigoted singing.
However, at Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday he was told he would probably be spared time behind bars because the offence did not take place around Celtic fans.
Prosecutor Azrah Yousaf said: “This man was already subject to a club ban which prevented him attending games at Tynecastle.
“At about 10 past four in this match police became aware of a group of supporters in the disabled area of the ground.
“The accused was heard singing on his own a Hearts song called The Gorgie Boys. It is sung to the tune of the loyalist song The Billy Boys.
“He sang ‘We’re up to our knees in Fenian blood, surrender or you’ll die.’
“Fans around him were becoming unrestful about the words he was singing, and he was taken out the ground.
“Police had initially refused the man entry to the game because he was seen as a high risk supporter. He left the stadium but was seen to enter via the disabled access.
“He has another conviction for a football related matter.”
He admitted the sectarian abuse charge and religiously prejudiced breach of the peace, but said he did not consider himself bigoted.
Sheriff Craig McSherry said: “If he was saying this at Celtic Park would this maybe be a greater aggravation, I wonder?”
“Taking into account the weekend you spent in custody and that there is no evidence this was directed at opposing supporters. In the circumstances I will defer sentence for good behaviour for three months.”
Unbelievable
starry plough says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:37
Big Joe says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:28
agree with most of that…………………………………………
But……………………………………………………………………………
I think that if the money is right, we will have 2 take it……………………….
Oh…………………………………….. its a sunny 17deg, in torravieja…………………
BigJoethinkingAbootsome breackfastmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
blantyretim says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:54
bhoys, my faith teaches me not to hate… 8-)) ……………………..
I was driving my car, last summer………………………..
A wasp flew in the window, stung me, and I crashed the car..
I hated that wasp…………………….. And still do
BigJoehas2payMOREinsurabceNOW
Just read the Green Brigade statement regarding Corrigan Campbell’s invite to a meeting via the media.
Whilst agreeing with what they say and understanding the sentiment behind what they say, they are being tctically niaive by refusing to meet.
They should meet him and ask:
what are the GB doing that’s illegal
why is the GB being targetted by heavy handed policing
why did Corrigan praise the rascist and sectarian singing at the League Cup final
what does the police do about the rascist and sectarian singing from the away section at CP
Before the meeting they should publish the questions they will ask and at the conclusion of the meeting they should publish the answers they were given.
Don’t miss an opportunity to expose what is really going on ans why, embrace it and go on the offensive (if you pardon the pun).
enmac75,
Incredible decision – at least it would be anywhere but Scotland.
“He admitted the sectarian abuse charge and religiously prejudiced breach of the peace, but said he did not consider himself bigoted.” Neither did the court apparently.
Sentence deferred for good behaviour? Makes you wonder exactly what Sheriff McSherry would consider to be bad behaviour.
Big joe….
I don’t drive…. so can’t comment…… o))
enmac75 stands shoulder to shoulder with Neil Lennon says:
17 November, 2011 at 09:00
I despair, what’s the point in the whole law and all these proposed laws if the judges are not going to apply them??
Bigot laws served up cold for the promotion of further bigotry.
Sherrif says, Aye carry on Mate…
DBBIA ———-
Just for you —–
Pal sent me ——–
Beyond And Before : Progressive Rock Since The 1960s — Paul Hegarty & Martin Halliwell .
Wee note attached saying -” I know it’s not your thing —- but give it a try ”
I did — I liked it .. It made me think . It informed me . It made me think about my musical prejudices..
Torrential rain —– Day 2 —–Way down south
Big Joe says:
17 November, 2011 at 09:03
I like that wasp,all God’s creatures apart from those huns.
BlantyreTim ……………………………………………………….
I don’t drive either…………………
When I got stung, I was in the passengers seat, I jumped aboot, released that handbrake be accident.
The car careered down a hill, and crashed into a hedge.
Top……..that……*–*
BigJoeWHOstillhasflashbacks
enmac75 stands shoulder to shoulder with Neil Lennon says:
17 November, 2011 at 09:00
This, along with the Neil Lennon (didn’t) assault case, show up the legal system in this country for the joke that it is. That’s what happens when politicians try to make up laws on the hoof, the whole system becomes institutionally disfunctional. Bit like the SFA.
Morning CQNer’s.
I have to say that If the Celtic FC/Hierarchy/CEO etc, don’t soon release a statement backing the GB then, they risk making the team play in an tumbleweed-library! IMO!
thank god your a better captain than you are a driver…
land ahoy…..
These coppers think they can do anything they like….but, they cant.
voguepunter says:
17 November, 2011 at 09:09
Big Joe says:
17 November, 2011 at 09:03
I like that wasp,all God’s creatures apart from those huns.
share
don’t tell anyone……………………….BUT……………..
I think its was a HUN wasp………………………..
BigJoeWhois99.99%sureitWas
….aw no, could the Sleekits please’ up’ their game a tad….!?
At least when you do the shift change could vary the tactic?
You have no shame, but what about professional respect?
Tick Tock…….
I applaud the GB statement….They have every right to stand up for themselves against bullies with uniforms.
We all know how this country is run…by handshake.
Stand up to these bigots, show them the contempt they deserve.
Hail Hail
antonsleftfoot says:
17 November, 2011 at 08:30
to all…fair enough, you think what you think, i think what i think.
we might want to get away from anyone thinking that we are part of “the old firm”.
its as stupid as thinking barca or real can could away from el classico.
i see no difference on the internet between supporters of my team and rangers. you are all the same. you might not think it – but you are.
best of luck with that.
=======
Awe diddums.
Now jump back into bed. Pull over your cover. Then get opt the other side wae your right foot.
Does it make you feel better?
MWD PMSL at you.