Well done to the Daily Record for revealing that SFA referee, Eddie Smith, was the policeman who reported Celtic fans to Uefa for singing offensive songs against Rennes last month. Smith was one of the referees who declined to make his services available as referees went on strike last season while Celtic took-on the SFA amid accusations of lies, bullying, sectarian behaviour and cover-ups among referees at the association. He is no longer on the Grade 1 list.
Following the strike the SFA Head of Referee Administration was removed from his post and referee, Dougie MacDonald, who was accused of lying to Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, resigned, prompting then-Celtic chairman, Dr John Reid, to say the club felt vindicated in raising their concerns.
Vindicated, no doubt, but with more than a few feeling bitter towards the club.
While the Daily Record can reflect on some good work today, bizarrely, the Scotsman newspaper accused Celtic fans of sectarian chanting at the Rennes game, something even police-gossip, Eddie Smith, didn’t accuse them of.
Why stop at accusations of sectarian behaviour? If the Scotsman are going to be ridiculous, why not accused Celtic fans of genocide and treason? Better still, just say lots of them have funny names, go to strange schools but will never ascent to the British throne.
Celtic have 123-years of non-sectarian history, it is downright offensive to suggest otherwise.
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Vmhan
Celtic things are for sharing ;-)
If we are found guilty by UEFA then we must have the good grace to accept the warning ( as this is all it can be for a first offence) and get on with it.
We have to be careful here, some posters have sounded like the FF lot by debating who grassed. At least we now know that it was Strathclyde Police.
The club must now look into the statement that they reguarly report to UEFA, for if this is true then where were they when the blue hordes were up to their knees in our blood for decades.
PL and co. cannot allow us to be vilified by those in authority whether it be the BBC, press or police. They let the support down badly by not taking the BBC to task over the cup final nonsense.
I myself feel their will be no case to answer from UEFA. Nevertheless it is yet again another reminder for the support to give up the ‘Ra chants at matches.
Gordon_J, cheers.
Paddy Gallagher, to you too.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP, aye, a wee bit.
obonfanti1888, indeed.
Saint Leo, I think the club will win their case at Uefa.
Vmhan, let’s hope.
Steinreignedsupreme, alas.
tractorbhoy – “We have to be careful here, some posters have sounded like the FF lot by debating who grassed. At least we now know that it was Strathclyde Police.”
Do you believe this is of no relevance?
Seville
You haven’t half wrecked your credibility this morning eh?
Som mes que un club: 14 November, 2011 at 11:18
“Allegedly, Lawwell has requested fasn to stop singing about the IRA.”
I seem to remember something about ‘Provisional IRA’ songs. But the details on this apparent UEFA charge are so vague we don’t know what we have been cited for.
Som mes que un club
Some of the most influential founders of the IRA were Protestant? – where’s the link to Celtic and sectarianism?
Paul 67
I have always had this nagging doubt at the back of my mind about you being, or having a vested interest in the ‘board’ ?
What a day for an exorcism!
You sir, have given me back my mojo(no, not that one)!
May God Bless You and All Who CQN!
Hail! Hail!
Paddy G, no mate they’re offended that we are alive and living amongst them, they would rather be up to they’re knees in fenian blood, as ye know mate…..its illegal to sing that particular song but the police don’t enforce it, so what happens next….. lets change the law and we can knick all of the papes for singing ANYTHING that offends the loyal (non tax paying) true blues.
The Fields etc will all be gone if we alloow the OO to have they’re way.
Hey its Monday, I’m allowed a rant CSC
V
HH
tractorbhoy,
Rangers are currently serving a three year ban from European competition that is in a state of suspension which can be invoked at any time if Rangers are found guilty again.
The Strathclyde Polis asked them via megaphone to stop singing sectarian chants at a pre season game against East Fife ? or was it East Stirling ?
Now that was not a UEFA game. Do the police only report to UEFA for European games ?
Mmmhhhhh…… I wonder why
Hail Hail
Lennon n Mc Mjallby,
never had any credibility to lose
if by that you mean having the nerve to have an opinion then I thank you for your comment.
At least I’ve not been called a hun.
Seville67
Watch your back indeed Paul!
I feel us, the Celtic support need to box clever.
Lawell knows this, Lennon knows this, hence the appeals regarding the singing. Media, politicians and the establishment are looking for any excuse to sully our name. Its not a fair fight, it never has been.
Us, like any Celtic team on the pitch need to be better biased against us.
Hail Hail
tractorbhoy,
Rangers are currently serving a three year ban from European competition that is in a state of suspension which can be invoked at any time if Rangers are found guilty again. FOR PERSISTENT SECTARIAN CHANTING
The Strathclyde Polis asked them via megaphone to stop singing sectarian chants at a pre season game against East Fife ? or was it East Stirling ?
Now that was not a UEFA game. Do the police only report to UEFA for European games ?
Mmmhhhhh…… I wonder why
Hail Hail
If smith has reported it to the sfa and spl, I wouldn’t be surprised that we would be the first team punished despite other clubs indulging in actual illegal behaviour for years on end with no sanction
It’s beyond a bloody joke all this now; how can it be that criminalizing celtic fans is going to stop bombs, bullets etc being sent to CELTIC staff or the CELTIC manager being attacked at his work; just watch, if celtic start getting the upper hand later this season (perhaps after some sort of insolvency event) all this will likely kick off again, mark my words. and yet it will be celtic fans being arrested?
Celtic going up on a UEFA charge has been the hun and media wet dream since they were rightly done for it; it will be a travesty if Celtic’s stellar european reputation is tarnished just because some huns and coppers don’t like us being too ‘catholic’ or ‘irish’; i certainly hope Celtic will fight this charge in the strongest possible terms though tbh I’ve lost my faith in the board to do anything right
Police accuse Rangers fans of sectarian singing during pre-season friendly
Central Scotland Police said the behaviour had acted to ‘tarnish’ the name of Rangers FC.
By Mike Farrell
13 July 2011 12:45 GMT
Police have accused Rangers fans of singing sectarian songs during a pre-season friendly against Stirling Albion.
Central Scotland Police said the “disappointing” behaviour by a section of the Ibrox side’s support on Tuesday night had taken place during the first half of the game.
The police force said the behaviour of a section of the Rangers support had acted “to tarnish the name of their club”.
Stirling Albion issued a warning to a section of the Rangers fans over the singing during the first half of the match, before a further announcement relating to the behaviour at half time.
A spokeswoman for Central Scotland Police said: “There was sectarian singing from a section of the visiting support, leading to warnings from the club [Stirling Albion] during the first half.
“Towards the end of the half there was discussion between police and the club about pausing the match to allow further warnings to be delivered.
“It was decided to wait a short time and deliver such warnings at half time. This was done by the club. At no time did the police recommend that the match be called off.”
Despite concerns over singing, no arrests were made at the game, which the young Rangers side won 1-0.
This was due to the fact that once Stirling Albion issued a warning, and the police presence at the match was increased in the second half, there was a “reduction” in the behaviour.
The Central Scotland Police spokeswoman added: “Increased policing and stewarding during the second half led to a reduction in this behaviour. The focus of police was to ensure the safety of all people attending and no arrests were made at the time.
“Events will, however, be subject to further review including liaison with clubs via the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland football sub group. It is disappointing that so-called fans have seen fit to disrupt this event and to tarnish the name of their club in this way.”
A crowd of over 1200 turned out for the match, which was a testimonial for former Stirling Albion owner and chairman of 17 years, Peter McKenzie.
Rangers have contacted Central Scotland Police in relation to the incident and have asked for any CCTV footage of it to be made available to them.
A spokesman for the Ibrox club said on Wednesday: “We are looking into this as we have received a variety of reports about fan behaviour last night, ranging from praise for the fans who attended the game to allegations of sectarian singing by one small group.
“We note there were no arrests and police have confirmed there was no suggestion the game would be stopped at any time. We have asked Central Scotland Police for any CCTV footage that will help us to investigate further.”
Stirling Albion have distanced themselves from the police accusations of sectarian singing by Rangers supporters during the game.
A club spokesman said on Wednesday: “The announcements made last night were made on the instruction of the match commander. You would need to make contact with him to ascertain what prompted them.
“The club cannot comment any further except to thank Rangers FC for supporting this testimonial match last night.”
LiviBhoy says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:31
I agree but I could also argue that in a nation of 1 Billion there’s bound to be a few decent players lurking. I just don’t think we should necessarily laugh off a country because they have a poor football history. It’s the glittering future that we should be looking out for.
13 July 2011 Last updated at 15:15 GMT Share this pageEmailPrint
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Rangers fans accused of sectarian singing
A section of fans were warned twice over the tannoy at the Forthbank stadium
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Rangers fans have been accused of “tarnishing” their club’s reputation by singing sectarian songs during a pre-season friendly.
Police said the “disappointing” behaviour by some supporters had taken place during Tuesday night’s match against Stirling Albion.
A section of fans were warned twice over the tannoy by home team Stirling Albion about the singing.
No arrests were made at the game, which Rangers won 1-0.
Increased policing
A force spokeswoman said: “There was sectarian singing from a section of the visiting support, leading to warnings from the club [Stirling Albion] during the first half.
“Towards the end of the half there was discussion between police and the club about pausing the match to allow further warnings to be delivered.
“It was decided to wait a short time and deliver such warnings at half time. This again was done by the club. At no time did the police recommend that the match be called off.”
Once Stirling Albion had issued the warning, and the police presence at the match was increased in the second half, there was a “reduction” in the behaviour, police said.
The incident will now be reviewed by senior police officers.
Rangers investigation
The spokeswoman added: “It is disappointing that so-called fans have seen fit to disrupt this event and to tarnish the name of their club in this way.”
A crowd of more than 1,200 turned out for the match, which was a testimonial for former Stirling Albion owner and chairman of 17 years, Peter McKenzie.
A Rangers spokesman said they had asked Central Scotland Police for CCTV footage so the club could investigate the allegations.
He added: “We are looking into this as we have received a variety of reports about fan behaviour last night, ranging from praise for the fans who attended the game to allegations of sectarian singing by one small group.
“We note there were no arrests and police have confirmed there was no suggestion the game would be stopped at any time.”
Stefferano del Bhoyo (but you can call me Neil Lennon) says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:25
Weirdly, Eddie Smith was always my favourite ref. I thought he was a big Celtic fan?
…………………………..
Smith the same as Collum is looking after himself instead of standing up for the truth!
Paul67 says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:35
Has there been any confirmation as to what song(s) caused Mr Smith to be so offended?
bournesouprecipe says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:36
Som mes que un club
Some of the most influential founders of the IRA were Protestant? – where’s the link to Celtic and sectarianism?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Stop being so pedantic please.
I am quite sure if you re-read the article, you will see that it states that fans were “bellowing out anti-Protestant anthems”.
If you wish to make the correlation between IRA members being protestant that is up to you.
I see the sectarian link as to what I have stated above.
Negative Anon, I’ve seen you’re most excellent post from the heart…… its a tough one but correct in my opinion, search for jobs in Australia, its booming out there and theres currently an advert for construction workers on Irish radio, they want hundreds of construction workers to immigrate to Western Australia, visa/ flights included for applicant plus family, salary between 100 / 140k per annum.
go on fill yir boots!
I wish I was youngerCSC
Vinny
HH
Paul67
HUNBELEIVABLE
I hope this is the death throes due to their bigoted sectarian club dying.
It seems the lodge and the Masons are shaking hands vigerously in an attempt to blighted our name while the love of their lives dies before them.
BTW. Being a FENIAN TIM does that make me a sectarian bigot.
How seriously stupid are these cretins becoming.
Go forth and multiply ya Huns. But this time make an attempt at growing at least a minimum requirement of 1 brain cell.
MWD
Above posts are from STV and BBC respectively
Paul67
A lot of us on CQN sense that an unprecedented campaign is now being waged against Celtic and the club’s supporters.
We can all vent our frustration here but I would like to see something done.
Could CQN not circulate a statement to the media and to UEFA? I recall some Rangers supporters organisation issuing a press release not long ago and the rancid comments were duly reported even by the BBC.
Could you not get together with one or two of the best communicators on CQN, someone like The Battered Bunnet, and produce a statement outlining all the attacks on our club and its supporters and placing all this in context.
I think it would be appropriate to start with the Game of Shame – when the perpetrators of the disgrace went unpunished and Neil Lennon was singled out – the racist and bigoted chanting at the League Cup Final that was overlooked, the bullets in the post for Neil Lennon, the failure to convict John Wilson for assault against Neil Lennon, the proposed Bill on offensive behaviour at football matches that is clearly designed to “even things up”, and the total absurdity of the Strathclyde police reporting things to UEFA when they have never previously done this.
Add to that the media offensive, which as you rightly point out is highly offensive coming from people who never challenged religious discrimination by Rangers and toxic behaviour by that club’s supporters, yet feel free to write lies about a club with a 123-year record of non-sectarianism and supporters who have given awards by UEFA and FIFA.
I am interested to hear whether you consider this worthwhile, Paul. I feel that just to complain on the blog is not enough. Let the Scottish Parliament know too – if they can listen to Pat Nevin, then why not the hundreds of CQNers? And let UEFA know. Some of us are not too sure how vigorous a defence will be mounted by our esteemed board members.
2010 Never Again
It must be getting to that time that the agent provocateurs’ will be with us once again <:-))
Morning Paul,
If Uefa do charge us (and i doubt it), will they not have to release which songs (or part of songs) they deem to be offensive? I doubt they would go down that path.
SNP havent released that yet, doubt UEFA would want to do their embarrassing work for them.
Off oot.
May God Bless ‘Every’ Celtic Fan.
P.S. Watch Your Backs.
weeminger says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:41
Please check out Indian football. It’s a very poor standard.
I’m not writing India off as a nation but I don’t believe the players Rangers have brought over are good enough for a 2nd or 3rd division team unless they are the best players in India.
A nation of over £1bn who are as interested in football as Scotland are at cricket.
LB
Som mes que un club
Your link stinks.
‘The press’ say Celtic fans were bellowing anti Protestant anthems, – because they want IRA chants to be anti Protestant
We have Protestant Supporters that know that understand that they’re not.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
I don’t want to hear Celtic fans singing the Boys of the Old Brigade or the “up the IRA” in the middle of the Willie Maley songs or the “Ooh ah, up the Ra” stuff. This is not me cow-towing to any SNP, Scottish media or Rangers fan agenda. I think this stuff offends people and not just those with an anti-Irish or anti-Irish-Catholic viewpoint.
Removing those three elements of our songbook in no way lessens the celebration of Irish heritage and culture that we have always had (and should always have) in our support. The Fields of Athenrye, This land is your land, Let the people sing resonate the struggle many of our ancestors faced in establishing their own country or being accepted in what I call my country, Scotland. To add to the celebration of culture that nobody should find offensive, these songs are anthemic and create an amazing atmosphere.
I say this as a Scottish 30-something who was raised a Catholic but hasn’t been to Mass in years. I support Celtic as my great-grandfather was the right worshipful master of the Stranraer Orange Lodge and my grandfather (who was raised a Proetstant) saw this for the ugly intolerance and hatred that it was and remains today. My father (who was raised a Protestant) carried this on and his eventual conversion to Catholicism in the 70s came well after his love of Celtic began in the mid-50s. The Catholic side of my family (my Mum’s own mother came to Scotland from Dublin the 30s) have no real passion for football.
So that’s my cultural background. I see myself as a Scot first and foremost but I am proud of my Irish heritage and the struggles my grandmother must have overcome in Scotland all those years ago. I don’t want to airbrush any of that from the Celtic support. I just want the support to set ourselves apart from other football fans in terms of tolerance, passion, and love for a team as opposed to the narrow minded hatred we see from other teams. I think our standards are set higher than the fans of other clubs – that is why my grandfather and my father loved Celtic and why me and my brothers love Celtic. That is also why I think we should leave the three songs mentioned above out of our songbook.
The Green Brigade are a force for change among the Celtic support (Just Can’t Get Enough, the huddle etc etc) and I want to see the club engage and accommodate those fans as much as they possibly can. Only a small change is needed and bringing it about voluntarily by discussion is the only way to bring it about.
Just to clarify mt stance on the UEFA “charge”, I was at the Rennes game and I thought the support was superb. I heard nothing offensive apart from a few muted shouts of “ooh aah” from individuals. I feel angry that we’ve been reported to UEFA rather than being praised for the amazing atmosphere that 27,000 fans created in a tournament that has failed to spark much excitement elsewhere.
Craiginho
This Eddie Smith is a polis and an MIB?! He’s got twice as many reasons to put the boot in then.
Did he ever raise concerns about illegal songs with other clubs, or is just ones that he finds peronally offensive that he thought worth reporting?
By law of averages, with both his employers being pleased at his efforts, he must be looking for a promotion that one. Really, when you think about it, he had many many reasons to take this action – all personal of course.
Oh Paul
You’re a wee bit hot under the collar today regards the Scotsman and it’s article. Not like you my friend. My advice, rise above it , rise above it. We’re better than that.
Mind you it does , if we did not know it, let us see exactly what we are up against. They will be throwing everything they can at us, looking for the minimum of an excuse to blacken our good reputation – – -Don’t give them the opporchancity is my advice.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
79caps says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:43
an excellent suggestion! up to Paul 67 of course ;)
I do despair at how ignorant the whole ‘debate’ on this has been among the media and chattering classes; the reason why this legislation apparently needed brought in (attacks and threats to the CELTIC staff and NO ONE ELSE) has been willfully forgotten as the gov and police fall over themselves to try and ‘even it up’ (so said christine graeme) by criminalizing celtic supporters! its utter madness
Paul 67 –
Never usually comment on an article directly but well done. Disgracefull whattaboutery in action. No smoke and all that.
Here’s hoping the club come out and make a clear stand in the same vein as your article…
HH
Mmm —
I tend not to be a believer in ‘ conspiracy theories ‘ –
But — here is one that would suit a lot of people with an agenda .
Celtic gather enough points to progress to the next stage of The Europa League.
UEFA decide to punish Celtic . The punishment is being expelled from the Europa League.
UEFA give Celtic’s place to Sion . UEFA’s Sion problem disappears [ for the time being ].
Delusional conspiracy theory -maybe —- but stranger things have happened.
The Sion thing is a big problem for UEFA. It could have disastrous consequences for UEFA.
Desperate times often produce desperate measures .
Throw in Udinese not being remotely interested in The Europa League and maybe , just maybe , UEFA can see a way out of the current difficulty with Sion . Stressed people are prone to generating extreme solutions to stressful situations
KINGLUBO says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:50
When the police and the media are such liars your advice is utterly useless.
Hail Hail
LiviBhoy says:
14 November, 2011 at 11:47
Some people don´t like cricket…
They love it!