With an understatement of historic proportions, Scottish Government minister Annabelle Ewing said should would “respect the will of [the Scottish]parliament” and set in motion the process to repeal the discredited Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. This is a new approach from a government which has ignored the will of the Scottish Parliament on each occasion on this very issue – despite acting like wounded fawns when others do the same.
The Act was the brainchild of Alex Salmond, who exploited a Celtic-Rangers match which saw two Rangers players ordered off and a brief but angry shouting match between Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist. The game, however, was remarkably free from crowd trouble.
For years Rangers fans were being arrested for offenses of a sectarian nature. Celtic fans had rid themselves of ‘offensive chanting’ but things changed when SNP Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill sat through a Celtic-Rangers cup final deafened by chanting of ‘The Billy Boys’, he congratulated spectators on their behaviour. This saw the return of political chanting from the Celtic support.
SNP minister Christine Grahame made clear the intentions of Salmond’s Bill when she told Justice Committee meeting this Act would allow police to “equalise” arrest figures between Celtic fans and Rangers fans.
It was an appalling piece of governance and sectarian in nature.
61 SNP MSPs voted to retain the act yesterday, as Holyrood heard the most ridiculous nonsense in attempts to justify its place, citing sectarian comments made well away from the football environment. The SNP seem to know there is a sectarian problem, but are blind to any of their own shortcomings.
Credit for this reversal goes in considerable volume to the Fans Against Criminalisation action group, and to James Kelly MSP (Lab), who sponsored yesterday’s vote. Ordinary men and women defeated a wilfully blind, Peronist, government.
We can only be grateful that government does not enjoy a majority in parliament. Its authoritarian tendencies are clear, they did not look at the evidence and reverse their view, they simply didn’t have the votes necessary to continue to ignore all the evidence.
Win 4 x Walfrid Restaurant Hospitality tickets for Celtic v Hearts on 30 Jan.
Help Celtic FC Foundation in the process.
Generally reflect in awe at the goodness of club sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing.
Intelligent Car Leasing have offered us 4 hospitality tickets for Tuesday’s league game against Hearts. Winners will eat at the magnificent Walfrid and enjoy a complimentary bar. I’ve done this, it is magnificent, a truly great way to watch Celtic with your nearest and dearest. Proceeds go to the Celtic FC Foundation.
The auction went online yesterday closes on Sunday, so you only have a couple of days to bid.
Good luck!!
Order Jim Craig’s new Lisbon Lion Diary – Right Back to 67 from CQNBookstore.co.uk and you will receive a signed copy from the man himself plus a FREE copy of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven signed by fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld! Simply order Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and the second book will be sent automatically. Stocks are running very low so hurry! THIS DEAL WILL END IN A FEW DAYS!
350 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- »
Bobbio
Agree 100%
GEORDIE
Erm,all of them eventually?
JAMESGANG
Don’t you go agreeing wi me 100%,old bean. Keep that for the missus.
HAPPY HOOOOOOOPY 4-WEEK ANNIVERSARY !!!!
BMCUW @ 11.55 am.
Agreed .
All this agreement on the blog will never do. Mien Gott, even Neg 2 is wholeheartedly agreeing.
It will never last.
HH.
PS: watched a programme on the box the other night about goings on in downtown Swindon. Was waiting for you to make a guest appearance:)))))
;-)))
Found myself getting somewhat annoyed on reading that article re John Fallon’s medal.
That medal should be proudly in John’s possession and then a family inheritance to be passed from generation to generation.
It’s a wrong that needs righted but I’m at a loss as to how it can be put right.
Sad story.
Very well done to everyone who has worked their arses off and faced down pressure from numerous directions.
On a lighter note, here is an opportunity for a “free drink”… https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/mix-your-own-sevco-cocktail/
TWISTS N TURNS on 26TH JANUARY 2018 1:15 PM
I think it should be quite simple. One of the Kelly family must be in possession of the medal, just get them to give it back.
GREENPINATA
They cut my scenes. Bassas. Apparently I was too much for even a fly-on-the-wall doc.
I reminded them of an Irvine Welsh short story,but they reckoned that was more plausible than me!
TWISTSNTURNS
Theft and fraud. Give it back. Simple.
JAMESGANG on 26TH JANUARY 2018 12:41 PM
Perhaps a still braver explanation would be that this was a human rights issue, namely the removal of Freedom of Speech for those who choose to remember their martyrs of freedom. And despite the unease and anger that this may cause to some in Scotland, such songs have equal validity to Flower of Scotland for example.
————————————————————————————————–
Excellent point. This IS a freedom of speech issue. The contradictions inherent in the legislation are baffling and only demonstrates how poorly thought through and badly drafted it is. The stats are stark evidence of it’s abject failure 6 years after implementation.
Also depressing is the inability of our representatives in the Scottish government to admit to a mistake. Why are we bothering to elect people who will only vote as they are told? Just employ some robots and save us £3.5m a year. How fragile must they be to be unable to hold their hand up and say “my bad”??
Barney/Bobby
Certainly if the Kelly family are still in possession of it you’d hope they would find it in their heart, and in the true spirit of Celtic F.C., return it to the rightful owner.
Neil McCann has confirmed today that Dundee rejected what he described as a ‘low bid’ from Celtic for young centre-back Jack Hendry.
— Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) January 26, 2018
Natknow
If I could tell my younger self two things it would be never lie and learn that ‘sorry’ is a word to take through life close to you at al times.
Phenomenally unimpressive in how it was handled imho.
John Fallon….has done so much for Celtic then Celtic ever did for John Fallon.
I have so much respect for that mhan.
HH jamesgang
TWISTSNTURNS
You would like to think so,wouldn’t you?
Sir Bob has bombed in my estimation of his memory,that’s for sure. An absolutely disgraceful thing to do.
And to be honest,I’m not too pleased with Jock Stein’s part in it either.
Dbhoy at 11.23, re Bob Marley
I remember a pretty good singalong at Dens, must be 2015, think it was 2-1 to the good guys that night, VVD scored a beauty and maybe it was GMS with the other?
Dundee played the same song over the tannoy at half time and their support began to sing along, then the Celtic end picked it up and sang it loud for the whole of half time, it seemed. Beautiful sunset that evening, pitch in great nick, league nearly won and Celtic support in good voice. A nice moment topped off by some Bob Marley.
On a different note.. When Celtic scored their second goal on Tuesday night (I watched on BT sports), Griffiths had been over to the Celtic support to celebrate. There was a TV angle looking right down the touch line. Griff was running up the line but you can clearly see the linesman behind him. For a start he does not look too happy about Celtic going in front. The linesman then says something or mutters under his breath. I think I know what he says. What do you think he says? HH
Bobby
Yes neither come out of it looking very clever.
On big Jock, I had dinner with the legendary Bobby Murdoch . He told me a few stories that didn’t show big Jock in a great light, but probably best left given the fact that he’s not around to defend any negative stuff aimed at him.
Legendary manager and achievements beyond our wildest dreams and for that reason he’ll remain a heroic figure. Worshipped by millions.
I do wonder though if, like the rest of us, or most of us, if he’d wish he’d done some things differently.
“Memories” of the shame game. Diouff throwing his shirt in the referees face at the end and the referee completely blanking it. Diouff then ran to the away support and having whipped them into a frenzy he threw his shirt to them which signalled a number of broken chair parts being lobbed onto the park by the angry mob. The senior police officers who stood next to Diouff did exactly the same as the referee. All Scottish media since have used the 3 second clip of NL responding to the gardener as representative of shame- in a game in which only one side lost it.
Jamesgang
Made me smile mate ,thought I’d share it.
HH
——-
Fieldofdrams
Amazing tune.
HH
OBAF 65-61 and now goes to committee stage.
I would hold off celebrating.
I dont trust ANY of them.
Hampden is being hawked by the SFA as an OF business continuity plan because the huns cannot afford to fix Ibrox. Just you wait and see.
Dembele will be sold.
The inexplicable transfer strategy of WGS, NFL, RD and BR has got nothing to do with any of the recent Celtic managers. See if you can figure out.
Willo Flood anyone?
Old Firm anyone?
Zenit will knock us out of the EL.
Phew!
Ok next….
Jimbob
Brendan said he would be disappointed if there was not further signings. Brendan is an honest man. there maybe spin anyway but we are doing our business with a hostile media who are trying to do us down. We also believe it is manners to do our business without publically discussing other people’s players.
Sevco meanwhile are dealing with a compliant media who assist them in publically is unsettling other teams players and who involve Ex rangers players in commenting on Transfers on other peoples players
Ian McCall and Lorenzo Amaruso have commented that our player in not worth the reported value.
I know what I prefer. Neil McCann revealed Celtic had offered a low price for Hendry. Not Celtic
Having secured parking from Celtic (thank you, very much appreciated) and having passed a late fitness test, ( walked over 400 metres), I shall be at Paradise tomorrow to support the Hoops.
Eurochamps67
ObviouslyillstopoffatthegazeboforaweerestbeforethematchCSC
Sitting having a cuppa waiting on my lift to the airport. Been an age since I’ve been in Glasgow so really looking forward to it. Meeting my big bro (the one who turned me on to Celtic) who’s coming up from Englandshire for our first visit together to Parkhead.
Full panic mode all week. Was promised 2 ticket 100% only to be let down. Big scramble to find 2 more but friends of friends of friends came through. Meeting 2 seperate ghuys this evening in town so then I might relax a bit.
I’m staying aroud the corner from the BV so was wondering would any CQNers be in this evening. It would be good to put some faces to blognames.
I’m like a wain at Christmas.
..
And to top it off Calexico have a new album out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xq2CnmSB_M
TUCOBENEDITO
I didn’t see it,but I heard about it. It’s one of the most-easily distinguishable words for anyone to lip-read.
Totally unprofessional,but these guys spend most of their time officiating players who earn less than them. They were after parity with the EPL at first,and after about 5 years of exponential growth,it stopped.
If ever there was a case for Performance-Related-Pay,it’s that lot.
Wee Rat McCann greetin and moanin again, it’s almost a daily occurrence!
If we sign Jack Hendry it’ll be for what the Dundee board accept, not what the little hun thinks he’s worth. You’d think he’s trying to start a bidding war.
Oh,and
WELCOME TO THE BLOG!!!
Celtic have made it clear that they have no interest in “Old Firm”. We may have offered to host Scotland games and we have done it the past but I don’t believe we have made a “joint bid”.
We may have accepted that some games go to other stadiums but no way will we work with Sevco.
The Hampden issue is worth watching. I see signs of a “fix” going on. Sevco and SFA are in cahoots. I don’t know if its SFA moving to Ibrox and paying advance monies to ensure that Ibrox is brought up to standard or whether the SFA are driving down Queens Parks income to allow Sevco to play at Hampden.
THREE LITTLE BIRDS
https://youtu.be/LuMPEgBWBIU
On bidding to host internationals instead of Hampden this article does not say it is a joint bid.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42824301
As I said previously before getting knickers in a twist ensure they are not put on back to front.
Well I didn’t but that is what I meant. :)
BMCUWP, 18.28 into this clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5YCzO1ZlEw
hoopy birthday BR, and many more as our gaffer:¬)}
EUROCHAMPS67
That is great news. Congratulations on your recovery! No leaping in the air when we score, though:)
IniquitousIV
@Ladbrokes
24m24 minutes ago
More
European teams to still be in four competitions:
PSG
Man City
Sporting
Celtic
GARY67 on 26TH JANUARY 2018 10:11 AM
I hope he stays but if he goes, get a good price and move on. We’ve lost a lot better strikers than Moussa.
*aye and let better players leave tae pay for the floodlights, at least one of them didnae want tae go and came back tae play and later haunt the club.
PHILVIS-style THUMBS UP to
EUROCHAMPS67 !!!
Eurochamps 67 passes a late fitness test, all systems go at Celtic Park!