I know what you were thinking; Zenden, like Ljungberg, but older. We need experience in the squad but with Commons, Ledley, Samaras and McCourt all able to stake a claim for the left midfield position this is the last place we need to bring in a 35-year-old. Best of luck to the player but I’m pleased he has left Glasgow.
Today’s Sun report that a senior policeman witnessed a crime being committed but instead of doing what he is paid to do, he reported the incident to Uefa. You have to wonder about the veracity of the crime. The officer will do well to explain his actions if they amount to anything more than a few lines in a newspaper.
We are all partisan in this city but Justice is blind to such emotions and taxpayers (that’s you and me) do not sponsor lazy gossips.
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3-0 HT at Lennoxtown.
SwanseaBhoy
So are they saying that we are not allowed to sing offensive songs at football ……!!!????
Offensive songs will no longer be allowed .
Every clubs fans want to offend the opposition .
Its part of football and always has been.
Is someone having a laff?
” It is sweeter and more fitting to live for one’s country ”
Bertolt Brecht
Paul
Do we have to be sponsored by Orange? Howz about approaching PaddyPower…..
Thumbsup
South of Tunis
Or lets go to someone elses country and kill the natives.
bamboo,
I said to a few folk yesterday that I have never been to a football match and not heard at least one song that someone could find offensive.
Where do you draw the line? Edinburgh fans singing of Glaswegians being on the dole? Allegations of Aberdeen fans sheep related preferences? What about comparing a striker who shoots wildly to Sebo? That’s pretty offensive, isn’t it?
MGCGFI.
bamboo says:
13 November, 2011 at 13:55
I can guarantee that the only action taken against ‘alleged’ offensive songs at football games will be PC McPlod bashing the GB for singing Irish Nationalist songs as happened recently. Supporters and players of the quintessential British football club will still be allowed to sing songs of hatred and get away with a ‘naughty boy’ don’t do it again.
As we were all behind NL last season we should support the right of the GB and others to sing political songs – it is a tenet of living in an alleged democracy.
saltires en sevilla says:
13 November, 2011 at 11:29
That was a good post.
However and I am sure you are more than well aware privately – you would not have been met with any such hostility had you sung those songs in a ‘friendly’ bar in the north of Ireland – and the pain would have been in present history, not recent history.
I would have given anything to have been with you when those free staters decided to try and sell you a guff story as to why they appeared to be almost offended at hearing such songs. They are unfortunately and embarassingly in the majority in the 26 counties.
I would have given anything because their reaction to me belting out ‘take it down from the mast’ would have been as priceless as it would have been satisfying!
I have read the posts regarding offensive songs/actions etc and would simplify the matter thus.
The establishment under their many guises, will be scruinising our support for” any” wrong doing. I would suggest if someone next to you sneezes, do not offer the normal ” bless you” , else you may be arrested.
It really is simple. Give them no reason whatsoever to complain, none. You all know that their chosen ones are hopefully for the dirt-cart of history, do not give them the excuse!! OK? Easy peasy.
Hail Hail and be careful out there.
KINGLuBO
Gordon J
What about the “fat B—-steward who ate all the pies”? Maybe he would be offended by that song .
I once sat before an interview panel for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. It was nineteen-seventy nine and Elvis had just died. I was a seventeen-year-old school-leaver, had nine O’ Grades, five of which were A’s as I was a lazy student. I discovered that out of all the interviewees I was by far the most qualified as most of the other lads had two or three O’ Grades and the job I was going for was as a trade apprentice. I hoped to be an electrician. The apprenticeships on offer were electrician, mechanical engineer, joiner and painter and positions would be offered to applicants on suitability. During the interview I was asked what I thought of the Common Market. At seventeen years-old I had no idea of the political significance of the question and naively stated I thought the common market a good thing as European nation states had in the past been involved in centuries of warfare and the demotion of the nation state to a subsidiary role for the common good of all of Europe should be welcomed. I had my heart set on securing an electricians apprenticeship as I thought of the trades on offer it was the most lucrative and promising for the future. I was aware that I might be viewed as over qualified, in comparison with the others, and modesty prevented me from mentioning this at the interview panel but I did stress that my preference was for the most sought after post. Of the twenty or so boys who had turned up at the examination stage, for we sat an exam prior to the interview, all were agreed that the electrician was the trade they hoped for.
I was still at school and had started five H’ Grades which I hoped to continue at night school if I got the job. My school mates were scornful of my ambitions as they all intended to go straight to university from school and were derisory of working as an electrician. I was more practical and was chasing the money that would allow me independence from my family, give me a sound understanding of the practicalities of a trade and the means to study Physics and Mathematics, which I hoped to take to degree level. Also the boys who had left the year before me were earning good money, and were far ahead financially in just one year than those that had stayed on at school.
I will never forget how my heart dropped when I opened the letter that offered me an apprenticeship as a painter as it was my first real setback in life. I was now left with a dilemma should I continue with school or accept the position on the lowest wages of all the apprenticeships on offer and doggedly attend night school to access university.
Out of bull-headedness I made the wrong choice. I took the job and quickly found out the reason I was not considered for an electricians post was because I was a left-wing Taig as my fellow apprentices delighted in telling me. The reasoning behind the common market question was patently obvious to me now, as it was asked to elicit patriotic fervour as a response from the applicant, which if not forthcoming would seriously undermine the applicant’s suitability for the post. I was offered the painters job as a sop and know they did not expect me to take it. Thatcher came into power that year and there were still people keen on telling me sectarianism in the work-place was a thing of the distant past. I knew better and for those of you who continually believe the same old lie in regards of today, I suggest you read this.
http://www.holyroodconfessions.blogspot.com/
oglach
Well I get offended when I hear “god save the queen” . Because it reminds me of having to stand up in the cinema in the days when it was played at the end.
Robertressell,
I agree, it is a pathetic story, it sums up the scumbags for me, hail hail !!
Eyes Wide Open says:
The West Brit Phenomenon is alive and well in the Free state. A few old friends and i reunited in the Bone this summer. We all happened to be home in Belfast at the same time and decided that we were having a boys weekend away so we headed off to Inishowen.
Anyway sitting in a pub lots of pints consumed we started to sing the party songs. A couple of songs later we were asked to stop lest we offend any English tourists. As one of my mates succinctly put it – F off you West Brit eejit this is Ireland not Essex. This was followed by a rousing rendition of take it down from the mast. No more was said.
Seems the Free staters have forgotten why thay have Irish Passports and live in an independant state.
Look forward to the next meeting with the hun with their inoffensive -unoffensive singing.
The Paddy McCourt chant is apparently one that the polis didnt like.
bamboo
Really! “Fenian army” winds them up. They must still be pissed about the Fenian raids from America into Canada in 1866 and 1870. In Fact this was the very 1st instance of a group collective group being called the Irish Republican Army. Obviously the Polis aren’t as stupid as we belive they are/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnM0ju2Oij4&feature=youtu.be
Christmas No.1?
So, Strathclyde Police has confirmed that they did indeed ‘notify UEFA’ about offensive songs being sung by Celtic supporters at the Rennes match.
Is there a precedent for this? Anywhere in sport, is there a single case of a Police Force notifying a Governing Body about unlawful behaviour taking place but where the Police Force concerned have declined to take any action themselves?
I recall the BALCO doping scandal in US sport, but in that case the authorities notified USADA as they continued a criminal investigation that resulted in convictions.
Similarly, cases of match fixing, with for example Steve Jennings arrested after a joint investigation by Police and the Gambling Commission.
Periodically, the Police will object to, or request changes to, the organisation of a given occassion, for example, kick off times for Glasgow Derbies.
I am though, scratching my head trying to come up with a single instance where the Police, rather than make arrests, have reported crowd behaviour at a sports event to the event’s licensing organisation, let alone when that organisation is based in a foreign country.
It is almost as if the Police in this instance, rather than arrest a juvenile miscreant, have decided to tell the boy’s parents instead.
This begs a number of questions, one of which is: Quite what did the Police report? Not having been at the game myself, I am none the wiser, least of all because no one at the Police has provided that information.
Is it possibly the case that the ‘offensive songs’ referred to UEFA by the Police Match Commander are perfectly lawful in Scotland? (Notwithstanding the future implementation of S1 2 (e) of the Offensive Behaviour etc Bill).
In other words, activity occured at Celtic Park that evening which broke no law in Scotland, but which the Police Match Commander considers might have breached UEFA’s competition rules? Is that a valid activity for a Police Officer acting in an official capacity?
Let’s take a look at the UEFA Rules then:
Article 6 of the Uefa Disciplinary Rules is explicit that the responsibility for the behaviour of spectators at a match is the home club’s or association’s.
A number of offences are described in Article 11bis – Discrimination and Similar Conduct. This states:
1) Anyone whi insults the human dignity of a person or groups of persons, by whatever means, including on grounds of colour, race, religion or ethnic origin will incur a suspension for 5 matches or for a specified period.
2) Any member assocition on club whose supporters engage in the behaviour described in paragraph 1 will incur a minimum fine of CHF 30,000.
3) If particular circumsntances so require, the discplinary body may impose additional sanctions in the member association or club responsible, such as playing of one or more matches behind closed doors, a stadium closure, awarding of a match by default, deduction of points or disqualification from the competition.
4) Any form of extreme ideological propaganda is banned before, during and after matches. The sanctions laid down in paragraphs 1 to 3 above apply.
So, which offence, as defined above, was committed by the Celtic support at the Rennes match, such that the Police Match Commander felt compelled to bring formally to UEFA’s attention, and thus ask UEFA to sanction their member club?
Of course, the Police spokesperson is quoted by the BBC today as follows:
“There were a number of instances during the game of singing offensive songs and inquiries are ongoing to detect the offenders.”
In other words, the Police believe that criminal offences were committed that evening, and that they are pursuing the offenders. Which law was broken?
After a little consideration, it strikes me that the Police will or are attempting to use their powers under the Terrorism Act 2000. Schdule 2 of the Act lists ‘proscribed organisations, of which The Irish Republican Army is one. Section 12 od Part 2 of the Act criminalises ‘Support’ for porscribed organisations. It states:
(1)A person commits an offence if—.
(a)he invites support for a proscribed organisation, and.
(b)the support is not, or is not restricted to, the provision of money or other property (within the meaning of section 15)..
(2)A person commits an offence if he arranges, manages or assists in arranging or managing a meeting which he knows is—.
(a)to support a proscribed organisation,.
(b)to further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or.
(c)to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation..
(3)A person commits an offence if he addresses a meeting and the purpose of his address is to encourage support for a proscribed organisation or to further its activities.
Now, if the Police are to pursue convictions under these provisions for singing ‘The Celtic Symphony’ or The Boys of The Old Brigade, both of which may have been sung at the Rennes match, it raises a profound question: Why is it an offence to sing these songs, but not to record them, and to sell them? I am still able to puchase recordings of these songs at any number of retailers up and down the land. I can pay money to hear performers sing them at premises licensed by the authorities for the purpose. I can purchase or download them from Amazon and other internet outlets today – £7.99 on Amazon for a Wolftones 3 CD box set btw, or £6.82 for “A Nation Once Again- 16 Great Rebel Ballads”.
All of which adds absolutely nothing to the debate, because the Police won’t tell us what they reported, why they reported it, why it was offensive or why they didn’t act themselves at the time.
Paul refers to Lazy Gossips in his leader, but I see a more considered hand at play here. Question is: What has motivated it?
Question also where this is leading.
Looking a little further ahead, UEFA will doubtless investigate the matter and come to a view. Will they uphold the view of the Police and sanction Celtic under S11bis, equating ‘Up The Ra’ with extreme ideology? Will they dismiss the complaint and thoroughly embarrass the Scottish Police in the process?
What then for the reputation of Scotland?
Sorry for rushing to close that post btw. I’m getting hassled to joint the rabbit for tonight’s dinner…
HasenpfefferCSC
Kayal33@14:24
Watched it about 20 mins ago and was just about to post the link myself
Comedy Gold. Very funny indeed
TBB
now known as The Baked Bunny
rossmaglen are renowned as slow starters. After 4 minutes atCasement park
Crossmaglen 0 -4 ballinderry 0 – 0
TBB
The Bunny Boiler????????
Wee Hoops now winning 5-0.
Well done to the Lhads.
SwanseaBhoy
The Battered Bunnet
There was a good friendly vibe with the Rennes support . Absolutely no agro with them . Maybe they could be called as a defence witness.
The Battered Bunnet. @14 24 —–
” Any formal expression of extreme ideological propaganda is banned “—— UEFA .
There is no shortage of extreme political propaganda at your typical Serie A game.
Maybe UEFA turns a blind eye /deaf ear to what happens in Italy. ?
UEFA does seem to be rather prone to being rather selective about which rules it applies to whom..
Crossmaglen 0 – 05 (1 from free) Ballinderry 0 – 03 (all from frees) after 15 mins
5-0 FT.
Good stuff.
oglach says:
13 November, 2011 at 14:13
Oh dear – and considering its particular geographical location you would have hoped for better than those who the further they are from the ‘border’ seem to have severe cases of selective memories.
Houl yer wheest says:
13 November, 2011 at 14:36
Although I am not tied to any club – I was at the Dromore Ballinderry game at Healy Park in the previous round and whilst Ballinderry were impressively strong, fit and athletic I was fairly confident the equally strong, fit and athletic Crossmaglen would beat them.
‘mon the gers……………………!!
If it is indeed the Paddy Macourt ditty that has caused the offense then Strathclydes finest will be looking to arrest almost 30000 of us there that night as most of the stadium joined in.
This begs the question “Why has no member of Strathclydes finest ever felt the need to report the neanderthals from the southside to UEFA”
This question needs to be asked by Celtic and a satisfactory answer given, this smacks of double standards and the only reason for this is bigotry within the police. I wonder in which orange \ masonic lodge the offended officer enjoys the rear end of the unlucky goat.
The question of why the offended officer failed to carry out his duty and arrest the perpetrator/s at the time also needs to be asked.
Best small country in the world my arse, only if you conform to the following – WASP supremecy.
TAL
The Battered Bunnet at 13 November, 2011 at 14:24
You’re post is interesting but diluted somewhat by you’re beliefs re the “offending songs” i.e. Bhoys of the old Brigade and Celtic Symphony that “may” have been sung at the game, a game which you never attended. You also seem to have some evidence that the senior police officer who reported the song was the match commander, where did you get that from? You also posted yesterday that 400 of the GB are responsible for singing the “oooh ahh up the ra” add on, thats incorrect in quite a few levels e.g. section 111 is not the Green Brigade as such, I’m in section 111 but not a member of the GB (they’ve naw asked me lol), there are many more like me and in any case I sing oh ah up the Celts like most round about me in section 111.
I could have just said youre post was tosh, as you did in you’re reply to me yesterday…… but I won’t…. I’ll let others make they’re own minds up in that regard.
I’m off out, but I’ll catch yir lengthy “tosh” reply to me later :¬)
V
HH
TBB
Have the police confirmed it ?
Can you give me a name that’s not Shorthouse ?
I don’t believe a word of it.
It is international week but it reads like a build up to OF derby week.
We have had the non stories of Ibrokes been rebranded even though everyhun asked about it has proudly and idiotically and publicly stated that it is stealing money as it will never be used. Dignity Dumbness and Denial.
The Indian strikers who will allow the hun to single handedly to set up a monopoly on with all Indians becoming huns except they canny afford them.
The non story about Anthony Stokes which should see those publications banned from Celtic park. Not so much muck raking as jobby staring.
I reckon something really big is about to happen with the huns. I reckon Craig Whyte will be at the heart of it and thanks to the palptalk it will happen “under the radar”
HH
Go to the 3 minute mark
TBB preparing Sunday Lunch
South Of Tunis says:
13 November, 2011 at 14:45
” Any formal expression of extreme ideological propaganda is banned “—— UEFA .
Fans singing songs does not amount to a formal expression of extreme ideological propaganda, flying a swastika above the ground or the players lining up to give a fascist salute would.
Saw the front page of the SM today, how is that lead in any way in the public interest ?
What right-thinking Tim would buy that bog roll? Isn’t it time to bhoycott the DR, SM and Keevins and Jabba’s phone-in?
The Battered Bunnet says:
13 November, 2011 at 14:24
Like you and many others, I am left scratching my head over this one.
After reflection, I think the only relevant question is:
What is the normal police procedure (in Scotland and/or UK) for such an “incident” and what is the reason for the deviation in normal police precedure?
Unless Celtic FC ask the question and until that question is answered, the sore will fester, cos ther eis something rotten in this whole affair.
Will CFC finally grow a pair?