All it took was one man, Eddie Smith, who joined the referees strike a year ago as their body became embroiled in allegations of lying, bullying and sectarianism, to make it his business to report Celtic fans to Uefa and the SPL, and the support are besieged on two fronts.
After decades of the police turning a deaf ear to illegal and offensive chanting elsewhere this might appear opportunistic, but Smith’s motivations are irrelevant. We have endured ‘the songs debate’ here for years, the only thing universally agreed upon is that as long as a single Celtic fan sings political songs at a game, this day would come.
I sincerely doubt that Celtic fans sing anything illegal, which perhaps explains why the police encourage observers to ‘police’ the stands, but no one denies many people, including a number of Celtic fans, find such singing offensive. There is, therefore, scope to mount an attempt to discipline the club, and an easy route to inflict reputational damage on each and every Celtic supporter.
The Debating societies will be exercised on the freedom of some to sing racially-hostile God Save the Queen, or the militaristic, Flower of Scotland, and wait for the reaction to what is euphemistically known as ‘the marching season’. In this vein I would encourage the Celtic delegation who meet Uefa next month read aloud a transcript of La Marseillaise, which becomes a logical target if Uefa prosecute our club.
I predict Uefa and the SPL will reprimand Celtic with a cease and desist-type warning which will include specific instructions to remove and ban ‘offenders’. Efforts will be made to prosecute ‘offenders’, which I expect will fail, but not before a few individuals are brought before the court.
Neil Lennon, Jock Stein and since Fergus McCann, the club, have asked fans not to sing political songs. Many agreed but some will not waver, so it would be an act of vanity for lesser mortals to suggest restraint. The slow train-wreck will happen.
Don’t take the notion that attempts to prosecute are likely to fail as legal advice. In my experience, lawyers become a lot less certain once proceedings are underway.
On a separate note, I was pleased to read Iain Blair of the SPL differentiate pro-IRA chanting from sectarian chanting. Lazy jounos everywhere take note.
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TheGreenManalishi(WithTheTwoProngedCrown) says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:34
Good man – I could’ve missed anything last Friday to be fair.
Uncle John buys his loaves by the slice !
Give us a shout next midweek game.
Canamalar
Thank you. Are you in a position to name them here?
ttt
i class murderwell, jambo scum
killie inbreds…in fact everyone except
aberdeen and dundee utd fans as huns.
as all these clubs supporters have
a real hatred of us and who/what we are.
aberdeen and dundee unt only dislike us
for being a football team in my opinion.
greenjedi says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:36
I absolutely agree with your sentiment but Eddie Smith cannot be trusted. His voluntary action in the referees strike last season leaves him wide open to bias. As does Kenny Scots previous employment with the Ibrox club.
Hail Hail
hamiltontim says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:39
Canamalar
Please no send him the link !!!!
Last season naround this time the press were a;; over Dougiegate and, despite the fact we had done nothing wrong, we were painted put to be the villains,; more so after the beloved Shuggie was bagged.
For a few weeks we lost our way on the pitch and the dropped points at that time eventually cost us the title.
I see a similar position here and the press will be at it all week up to the Inverness game.
we will be told, relentlessly:
We must behave “more responsibly” and cut out the illicit stuff whatever that is
Lenny will be out if he as much as drops two points
We will then be in crisis
We will not be told any bad news re them and the tax case; comment will be non existent
It will be assumed ( probably correctly) that they will pick up another three points at Ibrox
So eyes on the prize all Celts. Need the the three points first and foremost on Saturday and then mid week when we catch up versus Dunfermline. Let’s not allow ourselves to be deflected.
tomtheleedstim says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:37
Cheers, I will e-mail you in advance of the next game.
HH
Just heard from a m8 that Michael Kelly was on stv last night,,,dont suppose anyone has a link to it,,,,would appreciate it ghuys!!
Hail hail
The Exiled Tim, what did you hear last christmas on the golf course?
Awe Naw
Why? Surely if there are 5 members of the Celtic board who are also members of a sinister, secret organisation like the masons then we should know who they are.
jimmci says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:42
I agree with those sentiments too but fear we are going to get kicked off the park again at the Tulloch stadium.
refs for sat
Stevie O’Reilly
Stuart Stevenson
Stephen Mitchell
Brian Winter
Huns get Euan Norris at Ibrox … penalty bets on now !!!
refs for wed
Bobby Madden
Tom Murphy
John Gilmour
John McKendrick
Hail Hail
Awe Naw
I agree, so the Board MUST demand they are not allowed anywhere near CP, but we all know that isn’t going to happen.
Smith is looking for career advancement and is looking out for himself. Nothing to do with what he is actually paid to do.
Scott, is totally comprimised by his association with our biggest rivals, even if he wasn’t (and I’m not saying he is or isn’t) as suspected rabid hun.
But Celtic have allowed (lets be polite) rangers men to hold every position of real power in Scottish football.
Head of the SFA, the SFA spokesman & Head of Referees.
Referee chief says Madden can reach top
Mar 11 2009 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News
REFEREE chief Hugh Dallas has praised local whistler Bobby Madden for his speedy rise to the top of the game.
The SFA Referee Development Officer has been coaching the East Mains man and has been impressed with how quickly he has reached category one status – meaning he can be a fourth official in SPL matches and can referee in the Scottish Football Leagues.
Dallas, who was a fourth official at the 2002 World Cup Final and is regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest ever referees, said of the 30-year-old: “Bobby’s been doing very well. He’s a nice lad, dedicated, fit and already he’s doing his first second division game.
“Six years ago Bobby wasn’t involved in refereeing and now he is a category one referee aiming to go towards the higher division – it’s remarkable.
“It’s probably the quickest that any referee has done that in Scotland. In my day what he has done would never have been possible because we would have spent two years in the amateur leagues, two, maybe three, years in juniors before you would be considered as an assistant referee, so he’s done very well.”
And Dallas, who was speaking at Calderglen High School last week to a group of pupils aiming to become the next generation of referees, insisted Bobby’s success can help encourage local children to get involved.
He added: “What Bobby has achieved will give the kids hope that they can follow in his footsteps.
“In my day you couldn’t play football and referee because it wasn’t allowed, but if the boys and girls want to play football on a Saturday and referee on a Sunday – or vice versa – then they can do it.
“They can have two careers running at the same time and if they get to 20-years-old and they decide they can’t cut it at football, they can fall back on refereeing and they already have three or four years of experience under their belts.”
Bobby will soon be putting his skills to the test in East Kilbride when he referees the East Kilbride News charity football match on Sunday, March 29.
Ibleed…
I think there’s a link about 4 pages back mate. Sorry can’t do link on my phone.
jimmci says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:42
Spot on.
We need to keep the club’s focus on winning.
Árd Macha
hamiltontim
aye fine but not a mega post with all member of the mafia for the mediocre
Hail Hail
Ibleed
James Forrest is Lennon says:
16 November, 2011 at 00:00
Michael Kelly tonight, for those who missed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynI2PPlP_W8&feature=youtu.be
Thanks to John Doc.
Canamalar
Can I have it too. Two of my relatives are in the Lodge and I could therefore check it’s veracity.
Mountain_Bhoy
Not every body is scrolling past my posts then :>)
The GB blew it with their poppy banner last season.
HEN1RIK
Brilliant and so precise.
KINGLuBO
Celtic are not likely to face punishment as a result of a Scottish Premier League investigation into offensive singing during their recent match against Hibernian, STV has learned.
SPL operations director Iain Blair confirmed on Monday that he was gathering evidence following a report from Strathclyde Police alleging pro-IRA singing by some of the home club’s fans at Parkhead.
Blair said that the match delegate, Frank Coulston, had been informed by senior police officer Eddie Smith but that more information had yet to be reviewed.
“Eddie has mentioned that there was pro-IRA chanting but we need to find out more about when it happened and what exactly went on,” Blair said.
“We also have to establish that Celtic, as I am sure they will have, co-operated fully with the police in the aftermath of this event.”
STV understands that consideration of these factors, which relate to steps taken by Celtic to try to prevent offensive singing, means it is unlikely that further action taken when the investigation is concluded.
While no specific charge has been stated as being considered, the SPL Rules and Regulations has a section on unacceptable conduct, which details breaches of the rules.
The section (H7.4.3) states: “Disorderly conduct includes (i) conduct which stirs up or sustains or is likely or designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards a group of persons based on their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to a category mentioned in Rule H7.4.5 or against an individual who is or is presumed to be a member of such group; (ii) using threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct; or (iii) displaying any writing or other thing which is threatening, abusive or insulting.”
However, the regulations also stipulate what is expected of a club and Celtic are likely to have met the conditions stated.
Rule H7.5 states: “The Home Club in any Official Match must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, (i) good order and security; (ii) that policies and procedures have been adopted and are implemented to prevent incidents of Unacceptable Conduct; and (iii) that any incidents of Unacceptable Conduct are effectively dealt with, all at its Stadium on the occasion of an Official Match.”
STV has also learned that the specific songs in question may not be detailed in the match delegate’s report. While some song or chants may be deemed to be in breach of the rules, reports are more likely to include general reference to “pro-IRA songs” or similar.
Celtic officials have publicly condemned offensive singing, with chief executive Peter Lawwell saying at the recent AGM that: “Chants glorifying the Provisional IRA are totally unacceptable.
“One, it is wrong, and it is an embarrassment to the club and embarrassment to the majority of supporters. We were inundated by complaints from our own fans after the game at Tynecastle.
“We have dealt with it at Celtic Park and we will do all we can to make sure it doesn’t happen home or away.
“We don’t want it, we don’t need it. We have the best supporters in the world and hold that reputation dear.”
In a separate case, Celtic have been informed by UEFA that a hearing will take place in early December to consider similar reports regarding a Europa League match against Rennes. While the European body begins disciplinary proceedings based on their delegates report, the SPL considers other factors before bringing any charge.
Would it be possible to see the police match report from the league cup final?
There must be a little reference to some singing in there?
Canamalar
post it
James Forrest is Lennon says:
16 November, 2011 at 00:00
Michael Kelly tonight, for those who missed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynI2PPlP_W8&feature=youtu.be
Thanks to John Doc.
share
————————————
allways a big fan of Mick Kelly
(saint stivs denies all knowledge of car park protests in 94, it wisane me , ok)
Any sign of the List yet?
TET
I partially agree I think they could have found another way to express their views.
greenjedi says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:47
I agree with that but Celtic have to first throw out and bar any fan caught singing in this “illicit” way and not just Celtic fans.
The Next Old Firm game would be a good place to start IMHO
Hail Hail
2010 Never Again
The time is nearly upon us all once again…..(generally around the time a new article is posted)….when an infestation of trolls will arrive.
Fresh from their Media House briefing….on they will come with their instructions clear…..to continue to divide, undermine and obfuscate all things Celtic.
I urge everyone not to laugh too quickly at them……that would spoil all the fun <:-))
voguepunter says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:50
Cheers pal!!
Hail hail
canamalar @ 11 .00 ——-
Purely from personal experience ———
I spent my working life dealing with people who were at the top of The British Banking Business . I spent a lot of time with such people ——- In my experience the old school tie / Oxford / Cambridge thing was much more important than anything as vulgar [ their word ] as The Masons .
I remember a conversation with a big cheese Banker —–in his opinion- I paraphrase ——- Masons were Golf club / gin swilling riff -raff.
I am 61 and I have knowingly met 2 Masons in my life —-one was a technician at an FE college in Glasgow —-the other was the guy who drove the milk van and barked — 2 Pints there /3 pints there – whilst I did that milk boy thing [ it paid more than delivering papers ]
I think that the problem some have with the GB is their constitution, which stated that you had to be a member of some Socialist Party to be a member.
This information appeared courtesy of ULTR, when asked about membership.
This seemed to go against the all-inclusive element of the Club’s Mission Charter.
Why use Celtic as a recruiting ground for any organisation, political or religious?
voguepunter says:
16 November, 2011 at 11:50
Clicked on the link,but it has been removed,,,cheers anyway m8!!
Hail hail
Paul67 et al
Hibernian FC originally represented an Irish Community in Edinburgh which, in some respects, precedes that of Glasgow. Hibernian FC also provided not only the model but the inspiration for Celtic FC. Celtic FC however represents a far wider Community in Scotland than Hibernian FC could ever hope to reach. We draw supporters from far and wide, and if you were at Seville you would have heard as wide a range of Scottish and Irish accents as you could ever imagined. If we ever reach another European Final that will be replicated. We need to keep representing that wider Community in Scotland and beyond. And, more importantly, we need to remain part of it. Attempts are being made, by the Scottish National Party, by Lothian and Border Police, by Strathclyde Police, by the SFA and by the SPL to isolate Celtic Football Club from our wider Community. We need to ensure that those attempts are doomed to failure. We need to stand up to the Salmonds, the Grahames, and the Corrigans of this world, and we need to make it clear to them, that we are a club that links Scotland and Ireland in a way that no other institution on either side of the Irish sea does so. We belong to Glasgow.
Awe_Naw at 11:57
Why wait til then. Hearts are visiting Celtic Park on 10 December and with less of those supporters there, they should be easier to pinpoint if and when any of them start their bile.
Mort
BBCchrismclaug Chris McLaughlin
So #Hearts players haven’t been paid again. Strap yourselves in folks, here we go again.
Árd Macha
2010 Never Again
What happened to the big expose that was about to drop re the MIB? Anyone?
Mort says:
16 November, 2011 at 12:02
Why give the Daddy huns a heads up ?
But the problem here and the thing that Celtic PLC dont DARE mention is that it can only be done under the auspices of UEFA
I believe that is because it is part of a game that they fully participate in. Otherwise they would highlight this publicly rather than having their pitifully informed attack dog Mc Bride do their dirty work for them.
Thier/Our cloak of respectability is about to drop to the floor I fear for all of us
Hail Hail
Interesting choice of match officials for Saturday and Wednesday.
Has Bobby Madden done any of our games- ever? One of Dallas’s acolytes too.
Hmm
re Masons on the Board, I don’t think Big Jock ever did get his seat on the Board, did he?