I had very little interest in what former Rangers player Kirk Broadfoot did or said in a match against Wigan recently, I didn’t even know he was still in the game. What makes him newsworthy (to some) today is a 10 match ban, handed down by The FA in England, for what was reportedly sectarian abuse.
What I found galling is how Mirror Group Newspapers reported this story. The Mirror wrote:
“Kirk Broadfoot has been handed a staggering 10-game ban for a sectarian tirade against James McClean.
The Rotherham and former Scotland defender will have to serve what is believed to be the longest ban for verbal abuse in English football history.”
Its Scottish sister paper the Daily Record reproduced the same text with one edit:
“Kirk Broadfoot has been handed a staggering 10-game ban for launching a verbal tirade against James McClean.
The former Scotland and Rangers defender will have to serve what is believed to be the longest ban for verbal abuse in English football history.”
The italics are mine. For reasons which don’t surprise me, the biggest selling Scottish newspaper decided it was unwise to report that a former Rangers player received a huge ban for sectarian abuse. In 2015.
When Celtic Quick News started 11 years ago a couple of newspapers and radio stations pretty much controlled the news, politics and sports reporting in Scotland. The journos all worked together; this was a real cabal. If they wanted to blacken the name of a Fergus McCann, or his like, droves of people quickly turned away from him.
CQN started because reporting like this was rife and unchecked. I know the value of the new “citizen” media, but I also know its limits. We need newspapers, we need people to continue to buy them and we need them to find a viable business model. Without them, reporting which requires considerable resource, experience and, occasionally, money, will not happen.
Most of all, we need them to stop cutting their own throat.
I’m off to Aberdour today, for the 12th CQN Golf Charity Open, not that I’m a golfer, of course. See you there.
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Connaire
My apologies for not getting back to you regarding the email you received, I’ve been really busy.
“In the third paragraph of the reply Forrester states, ‘ Regarding the policing of football matches, as Mr Wheelhouse previously advised you, the Act makes no provision at all for policing of football matches and this is an operational matter for Police Scotland.”
What does that even mean?!
Pontius Pilate would be proud of this! It’s not a new tact by the government to attempt to shift responsibility for the Act onto the police but it does appear to be prevalent now.
Yes, Police Scotland have ultimate responsibility for enforcement of the Act, and they have gone about their task in a most zealous and oppressive manner, but that power was given to them by the elected politicians in Holyrood.
The Act is primarily aimed at targeting football supporters, that was its purpose. For any SNP MSP to deliberately fudge this as something non football related is astonishing and quite simply a lie.
Keep up the pressure my friend.
Hail Hail
Will Broadfoots education programme include home economics???
LB
leftclicktic
Advert is in CQN MAGAZINE
Livibhoy
Very good.
livibhoy
:-)) very good .
Thomsontwin
Be careful.
Anne Tearmann is a big lass who carries a brick in her handbag.
Packs quite a punch as well.
You have been warned!
HH!!
Surely it is well past the time that Celtic had any official connection with all of the rags. Don’t allow any of them room inside our ground. They make no bones about how they despise us, knowing that they will get little or no pressure from our Government, if, what Connaire 12 and Hamiltontim have been informing us, is true. Frightening.
Hamiltontim
13:59 on
24 July, 2015
This for me (other than the fact that it’s only for football) is the biggest problem about the whole act. It leaves what is and isn’t offensive entirely in the hands of the police officers.
They say ignorance of the law is no excuse but nowhere in law does is categorically state what songs are illegal, or why.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jul/24/daily-record-sanitises-story-of-player-banned-for-sectarian-tirade
Daily Record sanitises story of player banned for sectarian tirade
Roy Greenslade
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Spot the difference between these two articles about a football player banned for an unprecedented 10 games. The first was published by the Daily Record, the Trinity Mirror title published in Glasgow under the headline Former Rangers star Kirk Broadfoot handed 10-game ban for verbally abusing Wigan’s James McClean:
“Kirk Broadfoot has been handed a staggering 10-game ban for launching a verbal tirade against James McClean.
The former Scotland and Rangers defender will have to serve what is believed to be the longest ban for verbal abuse in English football history. The abuse is reportedly of a sectarian nature.
Broadfoot launched the tirade against the Wigan and Republic of Ireland winger at the New York Stadium on March 14. He later called the Wigan player a “cheat” for diving during the 2-1 defeat for Rotherham.
It is understood he received the record ban after being called to an FA tribunal with club officials to face charges after fans reported him for an on-field tirade directed at McLean.
Earlier this week, Rotherham and the FA refused to comment on the matter because of a strict confidentiality agreement that prohibits anyone connected to the case from making any comment about it.
The ban beats the eight-game punishment given to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after he racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in 2011.
Now here’s the story as published by the Record’s London-based sister publication, the Daily Mirror, headlined Rotherham defender Kirk Broadfoot handed 10-game ban for sectarian tirade against James McClean:
“Kirk Broadfoot has been handed a staggering 10-game ban for a sectarian tirade against James McClean.
The Rotherham and former Scotland defender will have to serve what is believed to be the longest ban for verbal abuse in English football history.
The ex-Glasgow Rangers player launched the attack against the Wigan and Republic of Ireland winger at the New York Stadium on March 14.
It is understood he received the record ban after being called to an FA tribunal with club officials to face charges relating to sectarianism.
Earlier this week, Rotherham and the FA refused to comment on the matter because of a strict confidentiality agreement that prohibits anyone connected to the case with making any comment about it.
It is believed that was put in place over fears of a risk to the parties involved if details were revealed.
The ban beats the eight-game punishment given to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after he racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in 2011.
Broadfoot was born into a Protestant family in Ayrshire and is known to be a staunch supporter of certain cultural traditions relating to his religion.
McClean, a Catholic who signed for West Brom this summer, has been in the news over his refusal to wear a shirt with a poppy symbol in it, turning his back on the Union Flag prior to a game and refusing to sing the British national anthem before kick-off at a game for his new club during their pre-season tour in America.”
First, note how the Record omits sectarian in the headline and intro, noting only down in the copy that the abuse was “reportedly of a sectarian nature.” Second, note the Record’s omission of clearly relevant religious details – Kirkwood being a Protestant and McLean being a Catholic – plus the historical context.
Now let’s look at the online coverage of the same story by the “impartial” BBC under a studiedly neutral – and uniformative – headline, Kirk Broadfoot: Rotherham United defender banned for 10 games.
“Rotherham United’s Kirk Broadfoot has been banned for 10 matches by the Football Association after he was found guilty of misconduct.
Reports suggest the 30-year-old former Rangers defender received the ban for sectarian abuse of winger James McClean in the game between the Millers and Wigan in March.
McClean, 27, is a Catholic while Broadfoot is a Protestant.
Rotherham are not planning to comment on the suspensionThe FA said in a statement: ‘The charge was that during a league fixture between Rotherham and Wigan Athletic on 14 March 2015 Broadfoot used abusive and/or insulting words towards a member of the opposition, in breach of FA Rule E3(1).
‘It was further alleged that the breach was an ‘aggravated breach’ as defined by Rule E3(2). Broadfoot was also fined £7,500 and ordered to complete an education programme.’
It is the longest ban to have been handed out by the governing body for verbal abuse.”
Neutral, sure, but a clear statement that the abuse was sectarian. As for the Record, it is surely a poor editorial decision to sanitise its report by failing to cover the story as comprehensibly as its English stablemate?
Sectarianism is a huge problem in Glasgow, and expressed most obviously in the footballing sphere. To cover it up is a disgrace. Despite its title, it is clearly not a paper of record.
NB: The Guardian’s report, while noting that Derry-born McClean has “attracted criticism” for his refusal to refusing to wear a poppy and for turning away during the playing of God Save the Queen, also fails to mention that Broadfoot’s “verbal abuse” was of a sectarian nature.
Hat tip: The Clumpany
The trouble is the media unfortunatly still does play a big role in forming public opinion.
Its the scottish msm that have stopped the truth about the rangers scandal being widely known and understood.
Their playing down and distorting of the facts has had they desired effect.
People outside scotland dont have a clue about one of the biggest sporting scandals of all-time. Plenty in scotland as well. Talking about BBC & STV as well as the press.
Tallybhoy afraid it may be pearls before swine there. I fear TT has had a sense of humour bypass!! Hail Hail Hebcelt
No Bobby,
The Kearney Irish American club if you are in New Joisey.
HH
Parkheadcumsalford
Celtic are of the opinion that the majority of supporters still receive much of their information about the club from the MSM. In fairness they probably have a point. Travelling on any supporters bus and witnessing the number of red tops littering the seats is testament to that.
Sad but that’s the reality.
Earlier this week, Rotherham and the FA refused to comment on the matter because of a strict confidentiality agreement that prohibits anyone connected to the case with making any comment about it.
It is believed that was put in place over fears of a risk to the parties involved if details were revealed.
Sevco fans who post bombs and bullets spread fear and alarm through the footballing world in the UK
Hebcelt
Quite.
HH!!
leftclicktic
pat.mcginley@farmerautocare.com
Got his mobile but don’t want to post on blog – let me know if you need it and I will get it to you via one of the CQNers?
Thank you for all your help bhoys especially FourGreenFields and those I bothered ,
All sorted
R**** get posting and do your own groundwork :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
I can think of a few usernames for you .:)))))))
weeminger
Being involved with FAC has really opened my eyes to just how oppressive but also subjective this law is. I could post countless tales of low level but persistent harassment of football supporters.
You’re absolutely correct this law is so dangerous because it allows the police, who are performance driven, to decide what is offensive.
Here’s how it’s reported in the Harold ….
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13498058.Campaigners__Broadfoot_s_record_ban_for_sectarianism_exposes_weak_will_of_Scots_football_beaks/
Anyone notice that shortbread appears to be off air?
leftclicktic
Your welcome mate
HH
Livibhoy @ 14.01
Special emphasis on egg preparation
Jimbo67
Roy Greenslade has stirred up a hornets nest judging by the comments to his piece in the Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jul/24/daily-record-sanitises-story-of-player-banned-for-sectarian-tirade#comments
Huge ‘Sash-bash’ planned for Drongan this weekend.
Guest of honour – Kirk Broadfoot.
They are bussing them in from Patna, Kilwinning, Larkhall and even further afield.
HH!!
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
13:49 on 24 July, 2015
scullybhoy
12:18 on
24 July, 2015
What do you think of Broadfoot’s behaviour and of the cover up by the DR?
———————————————————————————————————————-
I don`t live in U.K.,so my familiarity with the issue is determined mainly by what I read on C.Q.N.
Wouldn`t want to be begging the question (cover up ) and don`t know the specifics,however the ingrained bias of the Scottish newspaper fraternity and,I`m told, the B.B.C. and the fact that he was given a 10 game suspension suggest that he had a case to answer.
If he appeals,we will probably be in a better position to judge.
If he doesn`t,then he`s probably guilty as charged,m`lud and reluctant to have the details of the case given the oxygen of publicity.
We shall see.
————————————————————————————————————————
The courtesy of a reply would have been good.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sorry, I had to leave my daughters to the bus and normally I prefer to lurk rather than post. Anyway, all I wanted was a simple statement saying what thought of Mr Broadfoot’s behaviour (but you don’t want to assume that he did make sectarian comments) so I would, if you prefer, take the Lyndsey Sharpe comment about Big Jock. What is your opinion on that?
Aberdeen FC @AberdeenFC 40m40 minutes ago
Club Statement | Response to seagull issue at Pittodrie
In response to enquiries we have received from our supporters regarding the on-going issues with seagulls at matches the Club has released the following statement:
“Aberdeen FC has adopted a strong policy regarding the City wide problem with seagulls. The club has employed for the past few seasons now a fully licenced company who specialise in eradicating and controlling these birds. This company have been taking care of the nests and eggs three times a week to keep the birds controlled.
“Currently Aberdeen FC has no nesting in and around the actual stadium buildings, however we cannot control this out with our boundary and birds are nesting in and around the flats around the stadium.
“We continue to have a hawk flying during the week at Pittodrie and also an hour before doors open on match days. In addition to this, last year we installed an automatic audible warning system which distributes various distress calls from different birds to act as a deterrent. For obvious reasons we cannot fly birds of prey during games.
“Seagulls are very intelligent birds and will always gather where a large crowd of people are and where food is consumed so we would urge all fans to take care and use the bins provided for unwanted food which will assist in controlling the seagulls. It would also be helpful if supporters would send complaints to the Aberdeen City Council Environmental health using the following link. https://online.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/faultreport/FaultReport.aspx?id=8
Aberdeen FC will continue to do all we can to combat this issue and ensure the match-day experience is a positive one for Dons supporters.
Hamiltontim
14:25 on
24 July, 2015
I don’t think the idea of the law was necessarily completely flawed although as we know most of it was already covered by existing law but it’s just so vague that it’s like they wrote down the idea and voted on that, without actually putting any detail on it.
Keep up the good work.
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/james-mcclean-and-calling-it-like-it-is/
More on Broadfoot by Evening News and Nil by Mouth.
The game’s ruling body south of the border handed Broadfoot a 10-match suspension for launching a sectarian tirade of abuse at Wigan and Ireland’s James McClean.
The ban is thought to be the longest in the history of the English game for verbal abuse.
He will also be forced to complete an education programme and pay a £7500 fine.
Campaigners have heaped praise on the English FA for their stance on the matter, with comparisons made with how clubs are also held responsible for the behaviour of fans south of the border and the decision to strip John Terry of his England captaincy over racism allegations.
Dave Scott, campaign director with leading anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth Campaign, said: “It’s always disappointing when people use sectarian language and even more depressing when those with a public profile reduce themselves to such behaviour.
“We’ve already seen English football adopt UEFA’s ‘Strict Liability’ principles governing offensive behaviour on and off the pitch and the length of the ban sends a clear signal from the English football authorities that this sort of behaviour isn’t welcome.
“This stands in stark contrast to the decades of inaction on sectarianism by the game in Scotland.”
Four years ago the then Rangers reserve keeper Grant Adam was fined for chanting a sectarian slogan outside a Glasgow nightclub.
He was dropped by the Scotland under-21 squad following the incident but reinstated five months later.
A source within Scottish football officialdom said the matter was irrelevant as Broadfoot’s international career had “long since ended”.
The Broadfoot incident dates back to March when Wigan and Rotherham, Broadfoot’s current club, played a league game at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.
Broadfoot launched a tirade of sectarian abuse at Wigan’s McClean and later labelled him a cheat after he suggested the Ireland star dived to earn his side a penalty.
A strict confidentiality clause in the case which prohibits specific details of the incident being made public and earlier this week the FA and Rotherham refused to comment on the matter.
The clause was put in place for fear of any repercussions for any party in the future.
In a statement released this morning, the English Football Association confirmed the ban, handed out for a breach of Rule E3(1), stating that it was an “Aggravated Breach”.
This “includes includes a reference,whether express or implied, to any one or more of the following :- ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability.”
The English FA statement read: “Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Rotherham United’s Kirk Broadfoot will serve an immediate 10-match suspension after a misconduct charge against him was found proven.
“The charge was that during a league fixture between Rotherham and Wigan Athletic on March 14 2015 Broadfoot used abusive and/or insulting words towards a member of the opposition, in breach of FA Rule E3(1).
“It was further alleged that the breach was an “Aggravated Breach” as defined by Rule E3(2).
“Broadfoot was also fined £7,500 and ordered to complete an education programme.”
.
tallybhoy
14:27 on 24 July, 2015
Huge ‘Sash-bash’ planned for Drongan this weekend.
Guest of honour – Kirk Broadfoot.
They are bussing them in from Patna, Kilwinning, Larkhall and even further afield.
₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩
There coming in from Orange County and all over the God damn place….!
Ayrshire is Green and White
Lionroars67
I can see Frankie Macca being most displeased, “Where’s ra burds aw gone?!”
weeminger
Yep, sectarianism and racism were already covered by existing legislation, the problem at the time was that this didn’t deal with songs being sung by Celtic supporters, because they were neither racist or sectarian but were deemed ‘offensive’ by some.
Since then any football supporter has become fair game.
Hamiltontim
14:42 on
24 July, 2015
I thought this was a job for you……………………then again dealing with the seagulls is easier
“Broadfoot was also fined £7,500 and ordered to complete an education programme.”
.
lionroars67
Sadly, I’m not an expert in pre school intellect :-)
Re Broadfoot
Wouldnt be surprised if his gaffer stiffins him
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13498252.Police_Scotland_stop_and_search_use_criticised_by_UN/
Londonderry set to officially be renamed Derry after council vote
http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0724/716882-derry/ …
Manager issues call to arms to fans
By: Martin Dalziel on 24 Jul, 2015 14:23
RONNY Deila has issued an impassioned call to arms to the club’s supporters by asking them to show they are the best in the world at Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League qualifier against FK Qarabag.
The Hoops eased through to the third round of the qualifiers after beating FC Stjarnan of Iceland 6-1 on aggregate but the Celtic manager believes his side will face an entirely different challenge when Gurban Gurbanov’s team come to Glasgow next week.
The Azerbaijani champions come to Celtic Park this Wednesday in confident mood, having previously defeated teams such as FC Salzburg, Celtic’s Europa League opponents from last season, and taking Inter Milan all the way in last year’s qualification campaign.
The manager believes the Hoops have enough in their ranks to get a win at home but stressed that the fans’ backing will be crucial to achieving that.
“It’s a big step-up,” he admitted. “We’re talking about a very good football team here that has done very well in the UEFA Europa League.
“They beat Dnipro and drew with Inter Milan as well so we need to be up at the Inter Milan level to beat them and that’ll be a fantastic challenge for us.
“The friendly against Rennes on Saturday is a good thing and we will use the squad wisely in preparation for Wednesday, but we will also get some playing time for the players who haven’t played so much.
“We need the fans in Celtic Park on Wednesday. That’s so unbelievably important because to play at Celtic Park against 60,000 home fans is the worst thing you could do as an opponent.
“We have to use everything we have now to make a good result in the first leg. Hopefully everybody understands that the fans are so important in this game, to get that intensity into the game that we need.
“Of course, it strikes fear in everybody and we have the best fans in the world. That’s what we have to show on Wednesday.”
The Celtic boss is eager to underline the quality he sees in Qarabag and has made sure his players know they are set to face a tough opponent.
However, he is equally confident in his own team’s ability and has promised the side from Azerbaijan that they’ll get the best from the Scottish champions when they arrive at Paradise next week.
“We are a very good football team and we have had good results now in the last six months,” he added. “We’re improving all the time and we are a good unit.
“Playing at Celtic Park is never easy as well so they are going to face a good team and a big club and we’re going to show ourselves from the best side on Wednesday. It’s going to tough to beat us.”
Well done indeed to Roy Greenslade for shining a light under their rock and for reponding to their medieval and brainless comments about his revealing article.
Hats off to you Sir!