Apologies to all who, like me, tired of the circular ‘songs debate’ on CQN many years ago. Back in 2011, when Celtic had a similar action from Uefa to defend as they now face, I predicted a slow train wreck:
“The Debating societies will be exercised on the freedom of some to sing racially-hostile God Save the Queen, or the militaristic, Flower of Scotland, and wait for the reaction to what is euphemistically known as ‘the marching season’. In this vein I would encourage the Celtic delegation who meet Uefa next month read aloud a transcript of La Marseillaise, which becomes a logical target if Uefa prosecute our club.
“I predict Uefa and the SPL will reprimand Celtic with a cease and desist-type warning which will include specific instructions to remove and ban ‘offenders’. Efforts will be made to prosecute ‘offenders’, which I expect will fail, but not before a few individuals are brought before the court.
“Neil Lennon, Jock Stein and since Fergus McCann, the club, have asked fans not to sing political songs. Many agreed but some will not waver, so it would be an act of vanity for lesser mortals to suggest restraint. The slow train-wreck will happen.”
A few weeks later I wrote:
“Singing Flower of Scotland will (correctly) never be criminalised but you can expect charges to be brought for expressing similar sentiment. Legally, this sounds like a reach by the SNP government, but it’s likely to be a few young football fans who carry the responsibility of establishing how the judiciary view this matter.
“While Celtic will never condone IRA chanting (or, apparently, try to mitigate it as inconsequential, as others did before them with illegal and prejudicial chanting) they have a responsibility to ensure positive parts of our Irish tradition, including the national anthem, the flag and other symbols of the club’s rich and diverse culture are defended.”
Since then:
Uefa and the SPL have reprimanded Celtic.
Efforts have been made to prosecute ‘offenders’, which mostly fail.
Despite pleas from Neil Lennon, or earlier from Jock Stein, some insist on signing political songs. As Jock and Neil were ignored it remains an act of vanity for lesser mortals to try to convince others to desist.
Charges have been brought for expressing sentiment similar to that in Flower of Scotland.
Celtic have not, should not and cannot try to mitigate IRA chanting or banners as inconsequential. It is not inconsequential, Jock Stein knew it a long time before the SNP government. Fill your boots on debating why it has consequences below, it’s a huge intellectual topic, you’ll enjoy it, then you’ll get bored of it and move on.
If you want the opportunity to have a Debating Society on this, there is space on the comments section, knock yourself out. I’ve been through the songs debate often enough to know some of our community feel it is incumbent upon them to sing IRA songs at football games. Pointing out the words of Jock Stein, or the inevitable conclusion to this singing, or how things have developed in Ireland, will not change this perspective.
That’s the thing about slow train wrecks, nothing can stop them. It’s more productive to plan on how to deal with the aftermath.
Congratulations to the Bucketeers who raised over £26k for the costs of mounting an appropriate legal defence to the Dam Square five. This is a stunning amount of money raised, which demonstrates the strength of feeling among the support.
[calameo code=000390171e05b9b63a832 lang=en page=38 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
CQN Annual, get it while it’s hot:
1,061 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- ...
- 28
- »
clashcitybhoy
20:02 on 28 November, 2013
Really, anything not for sale?
Integrity, pride.
Thats not meant personally, but some things on that list are precious.
And for me not for sale.
masty is neil lennon and both of us are supporting wee oscar
18:07 on
28 November, 2013
Robcfc11
18:03 on
28 November, 2013
Celtic FC.. Born in Scotland, raised in Scotland and forever Scottish. Bobby sands ? What position did he play for us ? Keep the IRA out of our club. I dont want associated with the perpetrators of the bombing of civilians at Omagh, Enniskillen, Warrington….
——————————————————————————
biggest pile of sh####e ever posted on here…away and bile yer hied
==
Concur wholeheartedly, utter garbage
Masty / turkeybhoy .. let me know how it feels if the IRA ever murder any of your family. Maybe then you will see them for what they really are. Maybe you think its ok to murder innocents or support those that do. I don’t
Doc says Vive La Resolution
20:08 on
28 November, 2013
clashcitybhoy
When they are sold will you stay away.
Eurochamps67
20:08 on 28 November, 2013
===============================
Brave man.
Talking footy on a political blog.
;))
Eurochamps.
Thunking about a wee shire get together for the match on Sunday for thise not attending.
So far we gave KSC or the Machan.
Both sure to be orc free…8-)
Oglach.. what is garbage about it then ?
Robcfc11
20:10 on
28 November, 2013
Masty / turkeybhoy .. let me know how it feels if the IRA ever murder any of your family. Maybe then you will see them for what they really are. Maybe you think its ok to murder innocents or support those that do. I don’t
Truth is that there are no good guys with guns.
quonno
20:10 on 28 November, 2013
Why would I?
Robcfc11
20:10 on
28 November, 2013
Masty / turkeybhoy .. let me know how it feels if the IRA ever murder any of your family. Maybe then you will see them for what they really are. Maybe you think its ok to murder innocents or support those that do. I don’t
————————————————————————————
good for you…
Robcfc11
20:10 on
28 November, 2013
Masty / turkeybhoy .. let me know how it feels if the IRA ever murder any of your family. Maybe then you will see them for what they really are. Maybe you think its ok to murder innocents or support those that do. I don’t
===
The IRA murderers? for a start a well balanced view of the Irish Conflict. So do you hold the same view of the innocents murdered by the British army or is it just Irish murderers you don’t like.
Tffinn on TSFM has posted the live link to the Malcontent Orcs meeting at the Grosvenor tonight.
Check it out Bhoys….one of the questioners introduced himself as a free thinking Presbyterian and none of the requisitioners,on the top table , even flinched…..in fact McColl smiled.
On live now on a YouTube link……Cringeworthy stuff.
Doc says Vive La Resolution
How else would you effectively let your displeasure be known?
BT
We do, but we are not obliged to accept the invite
Doc
That list is commercial reality, for some it is a minor compromise for others it is more, and for others it is non- negotiable.
Have we banned any Celtic fans yet?….hope so
Im really offended that some so-called Celtic fans…had the cheek to complain, its outrageous
Banners is it…whats next,…songs….disgraceful,
They should think themselves lucky, to be allowed anywhere near Celtic Park
Just ban them all….everyone who doesn’t support our board
Get rid of them all, we don’t need them:)
HH
Clashcitybhoy.
Is this the 21st century equivalent of a bowl of soup.?
oglach
waste of time mo chara!
Philbhoy
Abrachan whisky at £17.99 in Lidl’s is superb. 43%abv and triple distilled, it is on a par with my favourite Auchentoshan Three Wood.
At less than half the price of the Auchentoshan it’s a great buy.
Cardhu is quality stuff too. The Spanish and the French love it!
The Green Man
I think I disagree with you ( a wee bit) but your post made me smile and was a lot better than that guff I posted a couple of hours ago.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Oglach.. i dont agree with murder. I also don’t care what the huns do or what flags ajax fans fly or any other clubs’ fans do. I care about us and i care when minorities of fans drag us down. GB were in the wrong.
Ok phil and nakasammi.
Ill take a whisky but only because I don’t drive…
Quonno, by voicing it here. By contacting the club, by attending FAC rallys, by being a member of the CSA, CST and making my opinion known, I have been known to do that.
Not by running away.
UEFA want sponsors, sponsors want a product a platform which they can use to sell, political opinion can be messy when all you’re interested in is a sale.
Voltaire.
BT
Yes, we have absolutely zero influence with UEFA and whether we like it or not it is the only fare on offer.
Anyway off oot to Fiinnegans Wake !
Ccb
Enjoy.
KTF
I hear you Sandman,
I reckon our biggest challenge on the park is to remember that we need to play three genuine midfielders every game. Not two with two wingers and not converted defenders or front men.
We do not have midfield players of sufficient quality to control a game with only two.
I also reckon we do not work hard enough. Compare our work rate to Milan’s on Tuesday.
It is a given that, with the financial resources at their disposal, the likes of Milan can afford better quality players. However, as WGS proved, a well organised, hard working team can get results.
Backing us to go on an extended run of success.
EC67
I’m going to wright a letter to UEFA complaining about the blatant politicising of the Celtic support by the PLC board of the club. On club premises within the stadium footprint a political song written by a known terrorist, who was a member of a proscribed organisation, is played through club speakers and would it appears be sanctioned by those in charge of the club.
Further over the clubs public address system prior to games, including matches played under UEFA rules, a song known as “Let the people sing” is played. The afore mentioned song contains lyrics such as “For those who are oppressed
In song you can protest” which clearly are an attempt by Celtic to get their fans to use Celtic Park as a venue to protest against oppression. Also the line “Through Elizabethian time
And Cromwellian war and fury Put our pipers to the sword” is a call to arms for this blatantly rebellious crowd. The song also contains other overtly contentious lines which undoubtedly break UEFA rules on Political songs/chants at football matches played in the Champions League.
I would ask all those who were appalled by the banner displayed by GB at Tuesday’s game to join me in contacting UEFA and riding our club of this shocking manipulation of our support by the custodians of our proud club.
Quonno, by voicing it here. By contacting the club, by attending FAC rallys, by being a member of the CSA, CST and making my opinion known, I have been known to do that.
Not by running away.
write, even
jimbo67
I hope big peter is listening….cant have these communists taking over the club, and to put Mel Gibson on a Celtic banner….im totally offended
I mean….its no as if any of his films where any good:)
HH
Eddieinkirkmichael
Absolutely bang on.
Double standards indeed !
Where is the offence displayng a banner depicting a long dead patriot?
Would love the starting line up in Barcelona to include. . .
Fisher
Rogic
Balde
Great chance to give real experience in a (relatively) inconsequential competitive match for Celtic.
Whilst the opposition will be fully committed since they need something from the game to be sure of topping the group.
Or a long dead Member of Parliament?
See what I done there.
Doc.
Any word on the old bhoy?
Don’t mean oldtim though he seems to be ignoring my calls..
the comfortable collective
20:30 on 28 November, 2013
Whats all this sensibke football talk on here tonihht.
Down with that sort of…….
Actually agree, 2 or 3 players wxposed to the CL in the next game may well be of longer term benifit than a result on the night.
Learn for next year.
Tonihhts the night