Yesterday’s statement by Celtic was clear and unambiguous. The club are aware of reports of ill-treatment of supporters by police and have an established process in place to handle concerns, directed through the umbrella Fans Against Criminalisation Group (incorporating Association, GB, Affiliation, Irish Association and Trust). Two complaints have been received and actioned since December, which sounds like we have an under-reporting issue.
I am very pleased they have committed to form a Complaints Panel, with representatives from the support and the club. We are the one family so there is no need for the club to manage complaints, the support is more than qualified on this matter. This is important as it gives supporters oversight and ensures the club cannot act behind supporters’ backs on such an important issue, which should ensure that going forward matters are dealt with properly.
This is the response I wanted from Celtic.
Celtic also suggest accusations they have targeted supporters are “without foundation”, asking “What would be the Club’s motivation for being involved in activity which targets or victimises supporters? It is simply not true. It does not make sense.” It makes no sense, of course.
Statements from the Green Brigade on Saturday, and the Affiliation committee (who believe they were referred to in the Green Brigade’s statement) today, raise some real concerns.
If, as the Affiliation suggest, “In recent weeks have seen finger pointing, whispers, rumours and lies aimed at organisations and individuals within them from sections of our own support”, we have a poison in our midst.
These matters are important enough (to me, anyway) for all parties to require clarification. Get whoever said what to whom about whoever in a room together. You will soon find out who has the cojones to look everyone else in the eye, and you will find out who is damaging your football club.
Lest we forget, these matters are a result of First Fantasist Alex Salmond’s Offensive Behaviour at Football’ Bill. The consequences of which were predicted by Fans Against Criminalisation Group, as well as Celtic, who in their written submission to the Justice Committee (sic) said as much:
“The legislation potentially discriminates against the football supporter by reason of that person being a football supporter. It criminalises him or her for being a football supporter and not only because of the nature of his or her behaviour. In other words, exactly the same behaviour could be deemed illegal if performed by a football supporter, while not constituting an offence by anyone not participating in a football environment.
“An offence of “offensive behaviour“ and the test of the reasonable person, are introduced in section 1(2) (e). This test is extremely wide and creates considerable uncertainty over what is or is not acceptable.
“If this offence is to be introduced notwithstanding our comments above, clear guidelines should be published by the Lord Advocate to explain what sorts of conduct are considered as offensive or unacceptable. The potential for confusion in the absence of clear and consistent guidelines is potentially limitless and runs the risk of the law becoming unenforceable, or brought into disrepute.”
The Scottish Government passed sloppy legislation and put extraordinary funds into a policing project which only serves to make them look clueless.
[calameo code=000390171980e8545b80a lang=en page=10 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
382 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
Ernie Lynch
Do you think Sevco supporters are “Scottish enough” for the SNP with their Union Jacks, Anti-Scottish bile and desire to call Scots Not LIKE THEM Jacobites?
Yorkbhoy I intend to ………but as it’s 0 degrees here in Tummel already I may appear to be a Weebles even more wobbly cousin when I get into the ground…..thanks for the good wishes
SSN…………………………………..PL set for salary rise commensurate with running all of Scottish Football.
Graduates of Trinity College, Dublin, still get extra votes on account of how clever and wise they are.
I agree Ernie, except that the powers that were brought in to stop such outrages being committed are being used, and used extensively, on individuals and groups that were not and are not part of the problem that the TA was (ill) conceived to address.
My views on the OBAF&TC Act are I expect little different to your own, but the issues raised by the GB are largely the result of misuse of powers given to them by a UK Labour Government under Blair and then Brown, since in part ruled unlawful by the ECHR, and currently subject of ammendment by the UK ConDem Government.
Never had you down as a Theresa May fan, I must say.
So … why are we playing a league match on the same night as a Champions League game? Wasn’t there anywhere else to fit this one in?
ernie lynch
I do not speak for the SNP, merely pointing out that being harassed, intimidated and arrested, and worse around a football match in Scotland is nothing new. What is new is the actual football related legislation which gives the Police more opportunities to arrest than those afforded by existing legislation, which I am sure you are aware is still being used, and I am sure on occasion abused. I know we both agree that Salmond’s legislation is unfit for purpose, should never have been passed, and should in fact be repealed. What does concern me is the idea that it is being applied after the fact, in some cases days and weeks after the fact, with involvement from Celtic PLC. Not to say serious offences should not be followed up, but legislation is in place to deal with those anyway. As for not being Scottish enough, not sure that is what the Green Brigade statement was saying.
A few fholks debating the Scottish referendum parties,
I must say that the when salmond requested a behind the scenes special tax concession for the exclub , alarm bells started ringing. The special rules to jail fitba fans following a hunfest also raises concern.
But here is one question that I have for folks who honestly believe that any British Political party, at all, is in business for anyone else except their own next term in office.
When party A vote for a law, party B invariably vote against it
Lets assume Party A are the government and force their law through with a majority
Does Party B, once they are back in office, ever repeal the law that the voted against?
IMO, If they don’t repeal that law then they support that law
For example does anyone reckon that Labour in power would repeal the SNP fitba law
The same guys with different ties
I’ve just started watching Deadwood – a birthday present from last year. I’m only five episodes in. A few people had recommended it but no one told me Mikael Lustig and Paddy McCourt were in the show.
Lustig: I think it’s the hamstring
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=seth+bullock+deadwood&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1680&bih=869&tbm=isch&tbnid=ppaTvvvDnKNTSM:&imgrefurl=http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/cast-and-crew/seth-bullock/index.html&docid=8892T4sj69rkeM&imgurl=http://i.lv3.hbo.com/assets/images/series/deadwood/character/seth-bullock-1024.jpg&w=1024&h=576&ei=5ZojUbH9AaKr0QWbxYGwBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=2&vpy=15&dur=1807&hovh=168&hovw=300&tx=103&ty=189&sig=100403511106423208948&page=1&tbnh=137&tbnw=227&start=0&ndsp=49&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0,i:109
McCourt takes his usual place on the bench – with a cameo from Chuckles Green on the right
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=jack+mccall+deadwood&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1680&bih=869&tbm=isch&tbnid=0Kmj76XF22gM6M:&imgrefurl=http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/episodes/1/05-the-trial-of-jack-mccall/slideshow.html&docid=DR9R9bKktuxZoM&imgurl=http://i.lv3.hbo.com/assets/images/series/deadwood/episodes/1/5/the-trial-of-jack-mccall-05-1024.jpg&w=1024&h=576&ei=dJkjUaqnGNGT0QWV34CwBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1333&vpy=98&dur=1232&hovh=168&hovw=300&tx=227&ty=116&sig=100403511106423208948&page=1&tbnh=139&tbnw=256&start=0&ndsp=49&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0,i:106
Has anyone ever spotted Chris Graham and Christine Graham in the same room?
Just call me Chrissie CSC
Ntassoolla
16:15 on 19 February, 2013
‘So when you look at how “Tory” Scotland was, remember that some of the blighters voted twice.’
You’re wrong.
The university seats were abolished in 1948.
In the General Election of 1955 the Tories gained more than 50% of the votes cast in Scotland.
The Tories got more than 50%
tamrabam
I don’t think Labour would repeal the law now. I think you’ve got it right there.
SSN -‘ rankers have refused to comment’ – well that’s a first for chuck
BBC4. 7.30. Michael ‘I only wear pastel coloured jackets’ Portillo.
In his new column in the Sunday Times, Souness dissected Celtic’s performance using the term “huffed and puffed”.
Ok, if that was his opinion, fair enough, but I thought we did a bit more than that.
He did acknowledge the scandal of the wrestling.
After admitting that Neil was limited to his choice of players, he went on to boast about the quality of players that he was able to sign at Ibrox,beating top English clubs to the signatures of Internationals, with no mention of how he was funded.
His point was that Scottish football is now so much disadvantaged in competing in Europe, compared to his time over there.
Below is a link that demonstrates how potent Rangers were in Europe under Souness and Walter.
http://www.bettingexpert.com/blog/last-16-moments
Will NL choose the same side for consecutive games?
Ntassoolla
It will not be Celtic the complaint is made to. There will be supporters there too so lets give peace a chance eh?
The Battered Bunnet
16:24 on 19 February, 2013
You are deliberately misrepresenting what I said.
I didn’t claim to support the legislation. I only pointed out that those who introduced it could claim to have a valid reason for doing so.
The SNP act, on the other hand, was simply them doing what they do best. Legislation for the sake of it in order to will differentiate Scotland from the rest of the UK.
bournesouprecipe
16:34 on 19 February, 2013
‘BBC4. 7.30. Michael ‘I only wear pastel coloured jackets’ Portillo.’
He looks like a cross between a Battenberg cake and a Neapolitan ice cream.
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)
The older I get the more I realise that the only independence I want is the ability to make the best of whatever life (including politics) throws at me.
Some fetches I win, some I lose but its all down to me and my attitude shadow.
Snake Plissken
16:19 on 19 February, 2013
‘Ernie Lynch
Do you think Sevco supporters are “Scottish enough” for the SNP with their Union Jacks, Anti-Scottish bile and desire to call Scots Not LIKE THEM Jacobites?’
Plenty of Saltires at Ibrox.
And on the Shankhill.
‘Blood of our blood, bone of our bone’ Salmond called them.
TTT
I remember that Red Star game well. It was 3 going on 6-0.They absolutely destroyed the Huns. Ditto in the return leg.They toyed with them all game and were thankful they got a 1-1 draw.
Smith fared even worse when he took ever. A total dud in Europe. Their tie against Levski Sofia was a particular favourite. Huns heading through until a Levski player leathered home a 25 yarder in injury time.
Watching them in Europe under Smith was comedy gold.
Cults bhoy what age group.
Should encourage anyone that wants to play and be careful that some boys take a while to blossom and others go the other way.
We took a boy at U10 nobody wanted by U12 he was in Scotland select. Other boys who were great when younger and went pro youth have come back and seem to have gone backwards cant get in the team.
BSR
NAW.
BAW-faced scoddish politico……….upholder of the fabric of scoddish society etc etc etc
…..a latter-day Braveheart minus the physique, charisma and political nous
TBB
Surely the name Lord Reid is missing from your TA post ?
HH
ernie lynch 16:40 on 19 February, 2013
bournesouprecipe 16:34 on 19 February, 2013
‘BBC4. 7.30. Michael ‘I only wear pastel coloured jackets’ Portillo.’
————-
Take the pastel coloured jacket away and you find a true blue Thatcherite Tory scumbag.
I like his railway journeys though…
Two macaroons at 15.53
Just as an observation, no desire to start a rammy, but have got to say your post can easily translate into ‘we are the people, unless of course I’ve misread and you were only joking, hope so.
I wish there were plenty of Saltires at Celtic Park.
Ernie
My goodness. What next?
It was just an administrative oversight?
Awe Naw, yip, there’s a long cast list!
I have found Michael Portillo more likeable (or less dislikeable) as he has become more….how can I put this…..openly flamboyant.
Ten men-and profitable :)
Parkheadcumsalford @16:51 when the Swedish right tried to hijack the National Flag the Swedish People responded by putting up flag poles in their gardens and flying it everywhere. Always. Everywhere.
The Battered Bunnet
15:49 on
A Triffid. A Triffid? If you lost half your audience there then we need to set up a CQN Brigade for the youngsters.
If the majority of your audience just ducked,nodded and carried on reading then there are no youngsters to accomodate.
The Kraken Wakes, The Chrysalids and Midwich Cuckoos were all part of my early SF reading after I graduated from The Wizard, Hotspur, Rover and Adventure before they changed from text to pictures.
I blame the general decline of Scottish society on D C Thomson’s decision to eschew the printed word for pictures, well the blue tinted section anyway.
Myself I prefer to stick with the name The St Andrew’s Cross and resist attempts to write The Church (of Rome) out of Scottish history.
pedrocaravanachio67
16:12 on 19 February, 2013
__________________
I’m afraid that I had no way of knowing that your post was ‘tongue in cheek’.
You might give us a clue. :¬))
Hughie Keevins ?
That is a hard one to take.
Good luck.
Ernie Lynch in what respect am I wrong?
a.) they voted twice
b.) this stopped in the fifties
c.) this continues in Dublin
Ten Men Won,
Thanks for the response.
It was his arrogance in implying that he presided over a golden age of Scottish clubs in Europe, not to mention his cheek in bringing up the subject of the money they had.
Sorry for hijacking the blog……back to the Hustings!!