Make what you wish of Strathclyde Police reporting Celtic fans for “illicit chanting” to a Uefa match observer in October, the bottom line is that Uefa have fined Celtic €15,000 (around £12,700), established a benchmark for future action and more importantly sullied the club’s reputation.
Job done by those who wanted this confrontation to happen.
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Very disappointed that things have come to a stage where we’re being dragged down the same path as Scotland’s shame with this fine for illicit chanting but I hope and believe that our club unlike theirs can use this as a turning point to really stamp down on the IRA songs, (within the stadiums at least).
Compare and contrast Lawell’s acceptance of the decision to Bain’s “awbody’s out to get us” retorts over the recent years. While he’s clearly as disappointed and privately angry as we all are about this tarnishing the image of the club, fair play to him for taking it like a man. (makes you wonder how the laptop loyal would react if he went down the Bain route). Speaking of that bigoted bunch (the Scottish press), I had to laugh when I saw the Daily Ranger still have their “Seething Celtic to appeal the fine” still on their website only a few news bulletins below the article saying that we won’t appeal. While some may feel we’ve been hard done by, I personally am embarrassed when we see elements of the supporting singing praises of the IRA -which, are completely different to our songs celebrating our Irish roots that the SNP have some vendetta against- and I believe we as supporters should do our best to uphold the club’s good reputation by stamping this out.
However, I’d certainly welcome the club/police/UEFA communicating with us and tell us WHAT songs we have been punished for singing. Whether it be BOTOB of Paddy McCourt’s fenian army, this lack of clarity really hasn’t helped matters. No need to put on the tinfoil hats and start accusing UEFA of being against us like that other mob. To those who think we should appeal, realistically, what will it achieve other than give them ammunition to try and tarnish the club and the support? I’m sure if we had any grounds to appeal based on the UEFA laws, those would have been unearthed. Pay the peanuts, move on.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:43
Was that for me?
“I will ask again, when will Barcelona be getting fined for their constant display/songs/chants for Catalan politics at the games…”
When some idiotic Spanish policeman (perhaps with a dislike for Barca / Catalan) reports them to the match observer?
QB
Peter Lawell ” This week we received a fine for an unknown song from an unknown universe “
celtic *o* lennon * KANO 1,000 * @ 12:40
You didn’t come across as either amigo.
What you say makes sense, but the problem is the Celtic Board have done absolutely NOTHING to help or protect our supporters.
It took the CSA to fight every ridiculous wee bigoted attack in the past 12 months.
Where were the PLC?
They need replaced right now.
A cursory word at the AGM in 2010 from JR was great at the time…but it seems that’s all it was. Meantime, young bhoys are being thrown in jail if not at the very least having their face filmed, logged and detailed on a “terrorist” database.
Still nothing but silence from Celtic Park, with the occasional bending over we saw today.
Enough’s enough.
Which part of this is unclear to some of you?
Listen, even the Offensive Behaviour at Football bill cannot make fans guilty of something unless it can be proved, beyond doubt, that people were offended or intimidated by the behaviour.
Let me tell you what that decision by the board has done today, okay? Here’s what lies behind it, here’s why I am so disgusted with that decision.
It is a deliberate attempt to split our support along lines which will never be repaired. It tells all the “good Celtic fans” that sections of our own support are behaving in a way which will get us into trouble. It is a quite clear attempt – by the people in charge of our OWN club – to drive a wedge between us all. Stop looking for boogeymen with rolled up trouser legs. These people are our own “custodians.”
I will make a prediction right now. When the first Celtic supporters go to court for “offensive behaviour” under this bill, it will be CELTIC FANS appearing as witnesses for the prosecution. Their being offended will stem from the fear that those songs will see us deducted points, banned from Europe … the board has created a situation which INEVITABLY will lead to Celtic fans turning on their own.
THAT is what is at stake here. Wake up and see it, some of you.
That statement on the official website is INDEFENSIBLE.
As a worshipper of the Sun God, I object to being prevented from chanting his name!
Hail Hail
Estadio
Serge says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:45
Oh i’ll definitely be scrollin by but i’ll always pull you up on any racist comments
Although there hasn’t been a statement of what counts as illicit, we all know which songs they find offensive!! Stop singing them until the issue has been clarified!!
The club cannot be seen to argue the fine or it will not be seen to condone IRA references( however tenuous) in fact the SFA charge was dropped because the board took all possible measures against the singing NOT because it didn’t happen!
Surely the only way to fight this is to stop singing the songs at celtic park, I’ll admit there is an arguement for allowing some of the songs to be sung, but until we are in a position to see the boundaries it is better to err on the side of caution.
December 28th, everytime they sing the billy boys etc( and they will), go silent let everyone be in NO DOUBT as to who is in the wrong.
I believe the GB have been guilty of many “offensive chant” in the past, but have more recently realised the power they can hold, the likes of the silent protest etc are far more powerful and positive than flouting the laws and having the self righteous belief that because its political it wont be reported.
The law is deliberatley ambiguous specifically for that reason!!
Does anyone know if the PLC has a legal obligation to report the UEFA findings to the shareholders?
ohits,
the point is, the divide is made, the board have driven the wedge into the support, there is no longer a united Celtic support, we either support the boards drive to sanitise the environment or we dont, as you have seen on here today there is a big divide, that has been the aim of the board for the last 3 or 4 years, they have succeeded, dont blame any outside influences, it is up to the Celtic board whet they want to defend inside Celtic park.
The Celtic board can ignore health and safety rules
The Celtic board can subject the Celtic support to criminal actions
The Celtic board hmm
Anyone of our careful “Told ye So” diddies care to tell us what is acceptable to sing, and what isn’t?
jay_mac79 says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:45
Very disappointed that things have come to a stage where we’re being dragged down the same path as Scotland’s shame with this fine for illicit chanting but I hope and believe that our club unlike theirs can use this as a turning point to really stamp down on the IRA songs, (within the stadiums at least).
Do you really believe that is all this is about? Once the chants stop do you think they will just leave us alone, seriously?
choreography
transparent
shameful
oglach UFB at 12:43
I do not understand are you suggesting that a large number of Irishmen are embarrassed or alienated by IRA songs? Are you referring to The soldiers Song, TBOTB or perhaps songs from a more recent conflict for Irish freedom?
Afraid so. For some it doesn’t matter which “IRA” people are referring to.
Being Irish i find the thought of any Irish person felling alienated by songs in memory of those who fought for the freedom of their country in any conflict a somewhat bizarre concept. Now the argument about the differences between the so called ‘old’ IRA and its more recent manifestation the PIRA is a debate for another day and another Blog
Sad to say but some have short memories and the distinction isn’t clear. These are just personal observations and include some friends and family members. I don’t really get it either but it is what it is.
Mort
You’ve got to love the happy clappers mindless optimism.
In 2 or 3 years time when 5,000 of them and their beloved board are left watching the football and the police and sfa say “oh hold on we don’t realy want to hear clapping as it hurts some peoples ears.” then the next week they say “we don’t want to see happiness, the smiling teeth glint of the sun and gives some people sunglare”
Maybe then the happyclappers will understand.
It’s not about the songs – it’s about us Celtic supporters of all persuasions – we offend them.
Happy are those who cannot see…
ohits,
naw, that was aimed at an a-hole
Collum, Smith, Conroy, Lawell, Keevins, Nevin ……. who needs enemies?
Sheriff Fatman says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:49
Although there hasn’t been a statement of what counts as illicit, we all know which songs they find offensive!! Stop singing them until the issue has been clarified!!
No one knows what to stop singing thats the point
CANAMALAR 1208
I think there are few who I would wish to have at my back. You may be one of them,and my family and friends,but it should never come to that.
But it has. Our board has sold us down the river,and I never for one second thouught they would be so stupid.
FUCK THEM,THE APPEASERS AND THE BOARD DESERVE EACH OTHER.
Big Nan says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:21 ..Bang on
Moonbeams WD. \o/ Kano 1000 Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:20
‘It is my opinion that Celtic PLC have colluded/orchestrated this whole shebang’.
Of course they have.
‘Thanks for letting us back into Europe Mr Uefa,we will off course NOT be appealing the fine. Oh sure,our fans will be quite annoyed for a time. But they’ll be ok after a while and just accept it as they’ve always done. They after all,faithful through and through and we love them.one and all. Hope to see one of you guys on Thursday as we at Celtic have a nice little xmas present for you’.
regards
Peter.
How anyone of sound mind, cannot blame the board and see this as a total stitch up should go to Vegas and join that other nutter..
Back to the washing machine stomach for me bhoys.
brimmer
gallagher
Yes you do that, & stop making remarks that I am a rascist. If you want to talk to me get my email and stop acting like you are the CQN policeman. You have no authority over me and never will ok.
oglach UFB at 12:51
Does anyone know if the PLC has a legal obligation to report the UEFA findings to the shareholders?
I don’t know but I have sent a letter to Peter Lawwell asking for the information. If I get a response I will publish it here.
Mort
We’ve been royally stitched up on this one, bhoys.
Made me think of this:
I’m walking down the street mindin’ my own affair
When two policemen grabbed me and I’m unaware
They said “Is your name Alexander?” and I said “Well, why, sure!”
They said “You’re the man we’ve been looking for.”
But I was framed Framed Framed
I never did nothing
But I was framed Framed Framed
The cops took me to a little room where the bright lights shine
There was ten poor souls like me standin’ in that line
I knew I was the victim of somebody’s evil plan
When a stool pigeon looked at me an’ he said “that’s your man!”
But I was framed Framed Framed
I never did nothing
But I was framed Framed Framed
Then the public prosecutor started prosecutin’ me
That man wanted to find what was my pedigree
He said “Where was you on the third of June 1963?”
And then them cats with rubber hoses started givin’ me the third degree
But I was framed
I never did nothing
But I was framed Framed Framed
I never did nothing
But I was framed
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:51
Only if we sit back and let it happen , you wont see any divide on the 28th , well not amongst the supporters anyway .
The supporters only want to see one thing a dominant Celtic team on the park , no balance sheets and definitely no fraternising with the Hun .
jay_mac79 says:
13 December, 2011 at 12:45
Totally disagree. The police in Scotland are after us in any way, shape or form.
Now they have scored this one as a “victory” they will take another tack and our bloody board will do nothing – again.
By the way did you not here any illicit singing at Easter Road on Saturday? It was washing over us on the TV; all the usual anthems – and not a word from the press, TV or the Police.
Pathetic but not surprising. The Boards actions sicken me to the core.
From the CSA
“Clarification Needed on what’s Illicit, and the Official Celtic Statement”
Since the so-called “Shame Game” in March of this year there has been great confusion over what can and can’t be sung by the Celtic support at Celtic Park. It started off by the police claiming songs like “The Boys of the Old Brigade” are sectarian; and therefore offensive; strangely the Fiscal’s Office does not support that claim.
They then came up with a new accusation; and that is that those types of songs are “ILLICIT” and therefore offensive and against the rules of UEFA; I believe under the term “POLITICAL” is it not about time that there was some clarity on the issue?
If UEFA are going to punish the fans of teams for singing political songs they will have to close most of the stadiums in Europe; try telling fans of teams like Barcelona and Athletico Bilbao that they are singing illicit songs.
And what about every National team in Europe; will “Flower of Scotland” and “Land of my Fathers” be banned? Not forgetting of course; “The Soldiers Song” or even “Rule Britannia” for that matter.
As far as I’m aware there was a very small number of Celtic fans involved; about .02% of the crowd that night; and we can only assume that since the incident was reported by the Match Commander Eddie Smith; the illicit chant would have been “ooh ah up the RA”.
Now we could argue on here all day about what is and isn’t illicit; and whether we should or should not sing political songs; but there seems to have been a change in direction over the last three or four weeks in regards to the song content; and for that the support have received praise from at least one senior police officer; and no; it wasn’t Eddie Smith.
So how do we approach the future? Well we need to have clarification on what is illicit; I have said on here before we are prepared to have that debate with the club; and it may well happen sooner rather than later; what we don’t need is interference from outsiders with different agendas.
As it transpires Celtic have decided not to appeal the fine imposed by UEFA; I’m not sure I would agree with that decision; but I believe UEFAs rules are a bit like Alex Salmond’s; one rule catches all. Below is the official statement from Celtic.
CELTIC have announced that they will not appeal against the fine of 15,000 euros imposed by UEFA for ‘illicit’ chanting at the recent UEFA Europa League tie against Rennes at Celtic Park.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “The heavy fine imposed by UEFA is an indication of the seriousness with which it treats such matters. We would re-iterate our own position that however small a minority is involved, such chanting is not welcome at Celtic Football Club.
“Clearly, it is very disappointing and a source of real regret amongst our supporters that Celtic´s proud history of exemplary conduct has been tarnished in this way by such a tiny minority.
“However, this is a clear warning that such behaviour will not be tolerated and together, Celtic Football Club and our supporters will do all we can to ensure that this incident is not repeated.
“We would like to thank our supporters for their magnificent conduct since the match against Rennes. We are proud of the fantastic and positive reputation we have established across Europe over many years, and the Club and our fans will be doing all we can to ensure that this is protected.”
The Hibernification of Glasgow Celtic takes another huge step.
Celtic, the all inclusive club for those who toe the party line !!!
The PLC have made their position perfectly clear,
to lay a section of our supports heads on the block is unforgivable,
and effects not just those they choose to ostracise but the support as a whole.
Without clarification of what was and what will be deemed illicit,
the board have handed our detractors the bat to beat on our club.
If the songs we sing ARE NOT BIGOTED, ARE NOT HATE MONGERING, and ARE NOT SECTARIAN,
how are we supposed to know what is perceived as wrong?
To give vague reference’s to PIRA is not enough,
no word is automatically offensive and thus wrong,
it is not the word, or in our case acronym, but the context in which it is used.
I would always be against the clubs stance on this matter,
but would at-least find it understandable if there was consistency in its application.
To feed our support to the dogs while continuing to accept the orc celebration,
of being up to their knees in our blood and the defamation of our clubs legends,
to give just two examples of their racist hate filled bile,
is both disgusting and spineless.
The support IS Glasgow Celtic, the PLC are just the Guardians.
As guardians it is their responsibility to protect the ethos of our club,
part of that ethos being to champion and protect social justice for ALL those who follow the club.
As guardians of our club they have failed us catastrophically on not just this matter but on many fronts.
I increasingly,and i know i am not alone, feel alienated from the club i love.
Ghuys, when will enough be enough ?
It is time for the club to come back to whom it belongs.
At the end of the day, I’ve always believed that if we got punished by UEFA, then there would be no excuse anymore; thats where we’re at. But it would be nice to know what specifically the club has been fined for; the “you know fine well what we mean” justification is simply not good enough when the clubs name is being blackened.
I’m just worried that now that the SNP bill coming, we’ll start seeing celtic fans getting huckled for singing things that have nothing to do with the IRA; I’ve always suspected that this whole “illicit” chanting saga is only the tip of the iceberg.
They WILL come after other perfectly legal songs/chants now as they’ll feel they have some justification for it. The Celtic support will have to watch out over the coming months.
New article from Joe O ‘Rourke at the csa
“Clarification Needed on what’s Illicit, and the Official Celtic Statement”
Since the so-called “Shame Game” in March of this year there has been great confusion over what can and can’t be sung by the Celtic support at Celtic Park. It started off by the police claiming songs like “The Boys of the Old Brigade” are sectarian; and therefore offensive; strangely the Fiscal’s Office does not support that claim.
They then came up with a new accusation; and that is that those types of songs are “ILLICIT” and therefore offensive and against the rules of UEFA; I believe under the term “POLITICAL” is it not about time that there was some clarity on the issue?
If UEFA are going to punish the fans of teams for singing political songs they will have to close most of the stadiums in Europe; try telling fans of teams like Barcelona and Athletico Bilbao that they are singing illicit songs.
And what about every National team in Europe; will “Flower of Scotland” and “Land of my Fathers” be banned? Not forgetting of course; “The Soldiers Song” or even “Rule Britannia” for that matter.
As far as I’m aware there was a very small number of Celtic fans involved; about .02% of the crowd that night; and we can only assume that since the incident was reported by the Match Commander Eddie Smith; the illicit chant would have been “ooh ah up the RA”.
Now we could argue on here all day about what is and isn’t illicit; and whether we should or should not sing political songs; but there seems to have been a change in direction over the last three or four weeks in regards to the song content; and for that the support have received praise from at least one senior police officer; and no; it wasn’t Eddie Smith.
So how do we approach the future? Well we need to have clarification on what is illicit; I have said on here before we are prepared to have that debate with the club; and it may well happen sooner rather than later; what we don’t need is interference from outsiders with different agendas.
As it transpires Celtic have decided not to appeal the fine imposed by UEFA; I’m not sure I would agree with that decision; but I believe UEFAs rules are a bit like Alex Salmond’s; one rule catches all. Below is the official statement from Celtic.
CELTIC have announced that they will not appeal against the fine of 15,000 euros imposed by UEFA for ‘illicit’ chanting at the recent UEFA Europa League tie against Rennes at Celtic Park.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “The heavy fine imposed by UEFA is an indication of the seriousness with which it treats such matters. We would re-iterate our own position that however small a minority is involved, such chanting is not welcome at Celtic Football Club.
“Clearly, it is very disappointing and a source of real regret amongst our supporters that Celtic´s proud history of exemplary conduct has been tarnished in this way by such a tiny minority.
“However, this is a clear warning that such behaviour will not be tolerated and together, Celtic Football Club and our supporters will do all we can to ensure that this incident is not repeated.
“We would like to thank our supporters for their magnificent conduct since the match against Rennes. We are proud of the fantastic and positive reputation we have established across Europe over many years, and the Club and our fans will be doing all we can to ensure that this is protected.”
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning!
13 December, 2011 at 12:27
Bit different for me Philbhoy … my grown up daughter who I have been taking to the games since she was a babe in arms is now old enough to realise what the IRA actually are/were…. she’s so fed up of being labelled a terrorist sympathiser and catholic when she says she supports Celtic that she’s started seeing Man U as her main team. I am very near that myself. I feel I have less and less in common with the “Celtic” support. Shame I and my kids have to put up with being “tarred with the same brush”. Isn’t it? Perhaps the board agree with me?
Hard neck Salmond wants to know why he wasn’t consulted by Cameron about his decision over Europe.
We feel exactly the same about yer Bill………
a lot of Celtic fans have called this right
Lawell and the board of directors are HAPPY with this decision
obviously the board and Celtic have excactly what we were fined by Uefa for – anybody think these will be released to us the fans?
we are getting attacked on all sides here – the mainstream media, the government the police and now the board of Celtic fc.
why the board of Celtic fc? – they have had a running battle with the Green Brigade and do not like them at all – at some stage the blame will be put on the GB, with Celtic fans blaming them and turning against one another
down the line the GB will be disbanded and the job the board couldnt do will be down by us the fans
Spearman
What Celtic Supporter would wnat you sitting next to them. Cletic is in the blood, you don’t just decide to ‘watch Man Utd’
Sounds as if you and her were never Celtic Supporters to start with.
Oh! what is so bad about being labelled a ‘Catholic’
You sound more like a SNP hun…
Mort
I wouldn’t expect that they will be specific even if they have a legal obligation.
The board of Celtic know full well, that having accepted the fine and chose not to appeal, that they have left the Celtic Support
in vacuum of turmoil.
They have a bigger obligation to communicate and have dialogue with the ordinary supporter, let alone any shareholding legalities.
Sorry about typing errors, but ‘Celtic Supporters’ like Spearman make me want to puke…
Estadio
That statement, whilst funny. could be the best of the day.
If you are in court charged with singing ‘ooh a up the Ra’, how can they prove you were NOT singing about the Sun God?
This is the farcical level we are at, and you, Estadio, have it bang on.
brimmer
Emdae feel a N A comin on?? Dont tell Phil.