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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Sixtaeseven.
Agreed. I think too that some robust, intelligent perspective from the Club is required. Not sure where that will come from.
Mr McBride has confounded me with his stance on things lately.
Regarding the ‘evening – up’ process, I think it’s referred to as the
“wans as bad as the ither” strategy………
Scotland’s Shame.
We are being stitched up end of story. Lawell warned our young bhoys that this would be the case but like last years poppy nonsense they just dont listen.
I am amazed at the silence from the club at the moment, the refs are back too their cheating again and not a word from our club!!!
Anybody and everybody is having a pop at us while the KKK just go on about their business as usual and what is our club doing? nothing at all-
I take it McBride is out of the question as a future defence lawyer ?
Bring back the football.
KTF
E.N.
It’s all in the questioning. The BBC can shape the argument how they prefer.
neveralone
As one who attends all away games I would say that it is a number of years since I heard the SOB song being sung at an away game. In actual fact the last time I heard it was in a Glasgow derby at Celtic Park.
I’m astonished at your quote to be honest. Fair enough if you personally are against the singing of Republican songs at football matches that is your entitlement. But to state that Celtic supporters sing ‘anti protestant songs at away games’ is a lie.
I wonder who wrote the shortbread piece?
Was it the Airdrie fan, the St Mirren Fan, the Killie fan or was it the ranjurs supporter?
Hmmmmmmmmm.
HHH.
bankiebhoy1 08:29
Aye, classic bbc Scotland, those pesky Tims yet again…
EN
Bryce Curdy says:
15 November, 2011 at 08:13
Agree with some of your post. But we now seem near to a collision course with the authorities and the politicians.
None of this is of Celtic’s making. Someone has decided that Celtic must be spun as at least as reprehensible as rfc and CP must be spun as a breeding ground for terrorism.
The high profile police presence at the GB end is an accident waiting to happen. If and when it does the people who wish us ill will be quietly satisfied.
celtic40me
Fair enough, but supposing Malceye was a Celtic supporter first, and a QC second?
Just supposing…
celtic40me
as someone who must also be ‘close to the legislative process’, I can say that attention seeking is the only goal for the esteemed QC. Having exhausted his opportunities for coverage in the context of the legal world, he’s moved onto something bigger and much easier to obtain media exposure. His colleagues were not hoodwinked when he purported to speak on their behalf. You should be either. Its all about one person. Aways has been, always will be.
Jungle Jim says:
15 November, 2011 at 08:27
I welcome your view..and respect it.
I agree there have been long periods when Ra songs were not sung. They are being sung now and that is the point as far as I am concerned.
HH
M
‘should not be’
Morning CQNer’s.
I still can’t get the idea out of my head that, Dallas is working Eddie Smith from the back ?
The big worry i’ve got is that, sumdy is going to ‘lamp’ one on the chin of Celtic FC and, the hierarchy/PLC/CEO and, all the rest of the faceless-wonders who run ‘our’ club will, take a back seat just like they did when, the BBC virtually p#ssed all over the support during the SCf v’s Murderwell ?
I think the time is right for a, statesman-like figure from the club to call all the bluffs of our would-be tormentors and, seek clarification on….what songs are offensive ? To whom ? And Why ?
If it was to clear the picture then, hopefully it would be a step forward.
Fritzong.
What you said.
We need to get that message somehow out and…………. broadcast.
There is little point in pussy footing around now. The gross misrepresentation of Fans of our amazing Club will only get worse.
The question is, how do we neutralise this insidious attempt to equate us with Them?
HH
I think that, when the chips are down….QC Paul McBride will go the same way as, Collum and Eddie Smith ?
To hell with the truth as long as their nests are feathered ?
Good to see you back Bryce Curdy.
Post more often. Please.
Saltires
A polite response. So polite, in fact, I feel guilty for repeating that, from my seat in 106, the “chanting” of Up the Ra is so miniscule that I feel it is hardly worthy of discussion on here. The Media`s reaction to the ” News” however, now THAT is worthy of comment. Have to go now. Hope everything settles down to posters neutralising our negative Media by being positive about Celtic.
JJ
hamiltontim
Really wasn’t trying to say that our fans by routine or even regularly sing or chant in that way. Was only suggesting it wasn’t resonable to say or infer it has NEVER happened. Our record is very good over all. The most common I recall is when a cheating ref is called a Dirty O B and even that has been replaced by F@#k the SFA.
It is not about ‘being against singing Republican songs’, I have sung one or three myself from time to time and at CP too. It is more my bemusement at agitating folk by using ‘ra’ ‘ira’ ‘pira’ etc. what is the motivation, how does it help, who does it inspire, what is it for? Do other sporting venues with cultural backgrounds similar to ours or to Glasgow in Ireland or Scotland or England sing them? Maybe they do – I don’t know
hamiltontim/neveralone
One quick comment before I go into my first meeting.
I was making the point that the GB do not constitute a group at away games though many of the same people will be there as individuals or as members of supporters groups, but are dispersed throughout the crowd.
Whoever is singing “Ooh ah up the Ra” is not being sanctioned by the GB at home or away and it is wrong of Paul McBride to blame them for that. They do, however, sing other Republican songs, of which they are not ashamed, because they are not shameful.
At away venues, on one or two occasions, I have heard the “soon there’ll be no..” line sung, by a small grouping of fans. It may be rare but it is not a lie.
I am also saddened to say that the group doing so regularly disgrace a flag and banner they fly under, but I’ll say no more about that here.
BBC news reporting how the therapeutic values of singing can help in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions.
Stick in yer pipe Salmond…
Fritzsong – I agree the situation is not Celtic’s making, but it was almost inevitable and entirely avoidable. If the fans who insist on singing these lyrics cannot even persuade the majority of our own supporters, how on earth will they ever persuade other reasonable people (there are still a couple) in the wider community?
TBB – thanks for your kind words.
Sftb
The GB are making an effort to have group members sitting together at away games, although its not in the same numbers that appear at Celtic Park. As you know this is because many who sit in section 111 aren’t actually members of the group.
With regards to your point about the line, ‘soon there’ll be…’ I personally haven’t heard this for several years, thankfully. The GB are a significant reason why this is no longer the case.
A copy and paste from elsewhere
Sports teams with links to the Irish community also exist in England, although this is not as marked as in Scotland. In football, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Everton, Manchester United have a tradition of representing the Irish communities in their area
Now tell me why those of Irish origin and descent that follow the above named clubs see there is no need to celebrate their Irish heritage by singing political songs in the respective stadiums
2010 Never Again
Your thoughts on calling for an independent enquiry in to the proven historical bias against Celtic.
Should Celtic be found by UEFA as not having a case to answer in relation to apparent illicit singing (whatever that may be)…….do you believe…..knowing the extent of the historical proven bias we have had to endure as a Club……do you think it is now time the Celtic Board called for an independent enquiry in to these abuses?
neveralone says:
15 November, 2011 at 08:55
hamiltontim
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
– I don’t know
——-
Neveraloan………….sorted that for you
Paddy T
lionroars67 says:
15 November, 2011 at 06:26
Now into my third season of boycotting all SPL away grounds, i wish we could all see this is how to hurt them back were it hurts the most, financially!
Im sure a very smart club could exploit that situation
With some well placed individuals with recording equipment home fans could be recorded shouting/singing some illegal and very offensive stuff particularly if Paddy McCourt is playing, with the added bonus of no Celtic fans in the away end to blame. All evidence to be sent to UEFA before anyone in Scotland is notified.
Time to fight smart and dirty!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I agree 100% with this. About away boycott and collecting evidence to give to Uefa re the shite we have to put up with.
One thing is for sure; Eddie Smith, Pat Nevin, and Campbell Corrigan are not going to report anti-Irish/anti-RC abuse so someone has to bring it to the domestic and European authorities notice.
Did anyone hear Tom English say on radio Scotland on Sunday –I was in the car–that he had reported the CIS Cup Final singing to SPL but got no reply?
Paul McBride seems to be going out of his way to give ammunition to UEFA against our club.
If we are fined, we can therefore assume there will be no appeal by Celtic.
It would be the easiest thing in the world to argue at the appeal that “offensive’ and “political” chants can be heard at matches all over Europe every week.
Celtic could also remind UEFA of the No Surrender display put on by Hamburg supporters and facilitated by their club – a political provocation those clever fellows got up to with a bit of help from certain friends in Scotland. Unfortunately, however, we have a “take it on the chin” board.
Neveralone
I wasn’t making reference to any comments you had made about ‘up the Ra’ etc mate, they are your own beliefs.
My address to you only related to the point I raised.
Hail Hail
A really good article and at times like this CQN at its most potent. While I dont agree IRA songs are sectarian I do know they will never bring anything positive to the Celtic cause – much better we refrain from them than allow negative spin towards the supporters.
I hope we learn lesson from idiots across the water and proactively tackle the negative publicity as a club and as a support. I do not want us to walk blindly onto a ban and shame like our shameful neighbours.
Paddy T
The way I read that post looked like you were buzzing me.
Please tell me that’s not the case.
sftb & hamiltontim
We at least seem to be singlng from the same song book! LOL
MickyBhoy1888
Now tell me why those of Irish origin and descent that follow the above named clubs see there is no need to celebrate their Irish heritage by singing political songs in the respective stadiums
They don’t have the OO walking down their street. They don’t have 40,000 people singing about marching knee deep in their blood at any stadium. They don’t have the local plod and politicians saying how wonderful all that behaviour is but running to UEFA to turn us in.
A few posters last night agreeing that the “Celtic Symphony” is the song that we are being targeted about. And we should stop singing it ???
Its not even a republican or political song! The only slightly controversal bit is the Ooh Aah chorus and this has now been changed to “up the celts”.
And it is played over the tannoy at recent games.
Mickybhoy1888
At every ground you mentioned I’ve seen red hand of Ulster flags being flown. I’ve never seen this at Celtic Park.
There’s the difference.
…….continuing I think some positive banners about non discrimination of 123 years by Celtic and orchestrated by Green Brigade – in the manner of the well documented recent protest – would send out a powerful message in response to this slur. It would be good to see positive protest and send it to EUFA.
I also think we need to watch our back and Front and lets face this head on in manner I describe – send a face on message of our principals at next home game.
Operation “As Bad As Each Other” is now in full swing. The nonsense we have heard here and there for years about a Glasgow/ West of Scotland or O** F*** problem is being now trotted out as if it were a proven fact.
The government is bringing in legislation to deal with the “problem”, Oh look, UEFA is now taking action against the other lot. It must all be true then.
Once the detail of this laughable “illicit singing” charge is made known we need the club, our various supporters’ associations and everyone involved with Celtic to come out fighting to defend our reputation. Mud is being thrown in the hope that some will stick. We must fight the charge vigorously and clear our name.
It’s not like there are any other big stories in Scottish football for journalists to look into, is it?
Well they say timing is everything and there can be no doubt that the timing of this orchestrated campaign against everything Celtic is significant.
Over the past month we have been dealing with rumours about Lenny quitting, drunken players, drunken managers, training ground bust ups, splits in the team, players leaving, mistaken identity signings, Lenny lying, players lying, lawwell signing players, lawwell chasing players behind the managers back, personal attacks on players by the media (stokes being the latest), physical attacks on Joe ledley. We have survived another poppy season where the media had a (poppy) field day. Now we face an all out attack on the green brigade and songs that many hold dear to them as part of their heritage.
The reporting on this matter is disgusting, it comes from so many sources that it is impossible to defend the same way that the bbc’s attack was defended. It is an orchestrated attack. The way that the police, politicians, media, eminent tim qcs are all singing from the same hymn sheet tells you everything you need to know about the campaign and those involved in it.
The simple fact of the matter is that if you continue to song these songs at football grounds, you will be arrested, you will be charged, you will be hung out to dry by the media, there will be no mps to help, the club will not help, you will be in your own.
There is no way that Celtic can continue to operate in this climate, there is no way that we can continue to support Celtic when it is a CEO al offense to do so.
As for the timing of this distraction exercise, I wonder what is happening elsewhere that requires attention elsewhere. I believe that the bigger stitchup is happening somewhere else.
CEO= crime bloody iphone
Silver City Neil Lennon
Very fair point.
Is the response of silly arguably provocative chants by some of our bhoys & ghirls the best way to go though?