Outgoing First Minister’s selective criminalisation

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I’m sure there are people all over England wondering why their manager is apologising for anti-IRA chants by England fans last night.  Someone likely pointed out to Roy Hodgson that his fans were breaking the law in Scotland by doing so, hundreds, if not thousands, could be criminalised this morning.

Their names and addresses are known to the football authorities, the match was televised and the chanting received widespread media coverage.  Police Scotland were all over the ground and had the England fans surrounded.

All this took place in front of the First Minister, whose government decided laws against bigotry and sectarianism left them unable to “equalise” fans of all colours, most of whom never chant bigoted or sectarian words.

Alex Salmond left the stage caring nothing that the police have no interest in applying his law on this occasion.  It wasn’t designed to criminalise the English, it was to criminalise Celtic fans.  If the Offensive Behaviour Act can be flouted in front of the nation, the police and the First Minister, without censure or action, it is an absurd nonsense.  The SNP government has refused to debate a review into the Act, never mind repeal it.  They are defending the indefensible.

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  1. SFTB….Correct…said it before….labour are finished in Scotland…people like me will make sure of it..people like you…well..your just gonna have to live with it…Red Tories first…real Tories next…only a matter of time….

  2. bGX

     

     

    For the avoidance of further doubt, I have no problem with post like An Tearman’s which criticise the record of the Labour Party at UK or Scottish level on the issues of welfare cuts, warmongering or any other legitimate complaint. All of those are telling and worthy criticisms. It is the policies that need changing regardless of who the Government is.

  3. poor wee souls are in need of a rest

     

    they’re determined to kill the 3pm sat games

     

    hail hail

  4. long haired yins man on

    I take it then that the 1 v 3 kick off survey was thumbs up for 1 kick offs then…strange that as every season ticket holder that I have asked says 3pm or nothing…seems I have a free brief for anyone for Sunday 14th game…..I wonder how many takers I would get….seriously…

  5. FrankMarker

     

     

     

    18:32 on 19 November, 2014

     

     

     

    poor wee souls are in need of a rest

     

    they’re determined to kill the 3pm sat games

     

    hail hail

     

    ———————

     

     

    Does Celtic’s injury record over the past few years not suggest that they do? Granted there will be other factors at play but surely there is a fatigue factor?

  6. Desseybhoy

     

     

    That will depend on what comes out and the areas it touches on.

     

     

    It could be nothing to see here ie an explanation that satisfies shareholders or it could be just too serious to be ignored.

     

     

    We are not at either point yet.

     

     

    Getting feedback to shareholders has always been an issue.

     

     

    The issue here is not the medium used but the message it sends out.

  7. Bgx

     

     

    What is a red Tory?

     

    Good luck in the SNP – you will find yourself a very small minority if you think that it’s a left wing party!

     

    Or are you taken in by the Alex Salmond – rebel line – that’s the Alex Salmond that worked for the government and RBS?

     

     

    HH

  8. Long haired yins man –

     

     

    I voted for 3pm but mist of the people I spoke to voted for 1pm.

     

     

    That’s why you should never rely on anecdotal evidence alone.

  9. Winning Captains,purchased a couple of raffles last night,or I think i did !,any way to verify?not debited to credit card as yet.

  10. Croppybhoy.

     

    I try and keep out of the politics as I seriously dislike the vast majority of them.

     

    Tartan Tory, red Tory both the same thing. All mainstream parties have lurched to the right. It’s becoming like the USA, where you only have right wing and even more to the right politicians

  11. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    What`s sectarian or bigoted about chants of “F… the I.R.A.”?

     

    Or,”F… the U.V.F.”

     

     

    Are they a sect or a religion?

     

     

    How about “F… I.S.I.S.” ?

  12. Paul67 et al

     

     

    T’was unfortunate that your contribution on the Radio 5 phone-in this morning found itself in between callers, who thought the subject was about the Poppy, and perceived opinions vis a vis the Celtic away support, when in fact is it was supposed to be about the behaviour of the England supporters at last night’s match. Overall though the show did offer up some disparate viewpoints, but David Conn of the Guardian made the best point; the FA does not want the England support to regress to that of 20 years ago, when it was the main vehicle of both the NF and the BNP, culminating in a riot in Dublin in 1995 if I remember correctly. What is and what is not offensive, that is the question? I am old enough to have been thrown out of cinemas for not standing up for GTSQ, albeit after the movie was over. A practice that dates back to 1745. The playing of the anthem in a theatre that is, not me being huckled.

  13. lennon's passion on

    If I was in a pub and heard someone going on about Celtic the way some do on here. I would think they were Huns.

  14. I voted for 1pm on Sundays so that I have a bit of time before my flight back to Dublin(can fly in early enough for 1pm KO). Purely selfish and a bespoke reason so it is interesting that local fans marginally went fir 1pm.

     

     

    Will the 48% who voted for 3pm come on here whinging about it and wanting another vote ;-)

  15. long haired yins man-The Club say the 1pm ko ,is so you can be home safe and sound at an early hour,lovely thought.Next story is they have played a lot of games and will cancel a Saturday game with a 3pm ko,to be played on a midweek night 7.45 ko,guys will be home at all hours,if they can manage it.

  16. macjay1 for Neil Lennon

     

    18:47 on

     

    19 November, 2014

     

    What`s sectarian or bigoted about chants of “F… the I.R.A.”?

     

    Or,”F… the U.V.F.”

     

     

    Are they a sect or a religion?

     

    ——————————————–

     

    There’s nothing sectarian about those chants. There doesn’t have to be – it just needs to be offensive – hence “Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012”.

     

     

    It’s up to the police to decide what is offensive.

     

     

    Let me reframe your question – “What is offensive about chants of ‘F*** the I.R.A.”?

     

     

    Answer – It depends on who you are.

     

     

    However, a more relevant question might be – why were England fans chanting “F*** the I.R.A.” (or whatever…) – it was a Scotland match?

  17. Bada Bing.

     

    Loved that, sums it up very well. Couldn’t have put it better myself.

     

    I’m feeling sore about it as I can’t make midweek games.

  18. jimmynotpaul

     

     

    18:59 on 19 November, 2014Bada Bing.Loved that, sums it up very well. Couldn’t have put it better myself.I’m feeling sore about it as I can’t make midweek games.

     

    Thanks for reply,i am fortunate that i can go to CP ,whatever day/time they play.It hacks me off when guys like yourself ,have bought a ST to support the Club,and get slapped in the face for your efforts.The excuse given was ‘too many games’ ,you will no doubt be delighted when they jet off to play a stupid friendly,that apparently makes us ‘ millions of pounds’. Bollix.HH

  19. the glorious balance sheet on

    I must admit it was quite funny when the England fans sang “you’re British til you die” at the Scotland fans during last night’s game.

  20. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox

     

    18:51 on

     

    19 November, 2014

     

     

    And

     

     

    NatKnow

     

    18:57 on

     

    19 November, 2014

     

     

    Thanks to both of you.

     

    That being the case,then it is a ludicrous law.

     

    At the discretion of the police aka carte blanche.

  21. Auldheid

     

    Can you explain the medium not being important by the message sent out, I would have thought all shareholders would be interested in the message and communicated effectively via club media.Apology if I have misunderstood you.

  22. Sandy Easdale currently stating the King bid didnt actually exist. Chairmen yesterday claims it was considered and rejected.

     

     

    Confused…you will be

  23. macjay1 for Neil Lennon

     

    19:08 on

     

    19 November, 2014

     

    setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox

     

    18:51 on

     

    19 November, 2014

     

     

    And

     

     

    NatKnow

     

    18:57 on

     

    19 November, 2014

     

     

    Thanks to both of you.

     

    That being the case,then it is a ludicrous law.

     

    At the discretion of the police aka carte blanche.

     

    ——————————————–

     

    Yup – tend to agree with you there bud…

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