Much has been made recently of the issue of sectarianism and racism in Scottish Football. Physical assaults, sectarian graffiti, racist abuse, flags in support of terrorist organisations, amongst the usual vile and bigoted songs and chants have come to the fore over recent months: the ugly side of Scottish society.
As usual, the old firm clubs take the brunt of this. True, the rivalry between the clubs generates more than a hostile atmosphere when the teams meet, or whenever the fans come together, but can the clubs take the blame?
Both clubs have their traditions, their beliefs, and their prominent religions: but do they have a place in the modern Scottish game? Do these beliefs have a place in normal, every-day Scottish life?
The unanimous answer you will receive from most Old Firm fans is that, yes, we should celebrate these traditions: we should revel in them. Indeed, people from all over the globe, from Africa to Asia, celebrate their history, their past, their beliefs: who is to judge a person based on what they believe? Who is to judge a group of people based on their collective history?
If the west of Scotland is to be believed, then we are all judges. We all have our opinions. But how far can we go in our judgements? Is it taking things to far to tell a group of Scots with Irish ancestry that they cannot sing their ancestors national anthem? Is it going to far to tell Scots with a proud Anglo heritage that they can’t sing the British national anthem?
In my own opinion, yes, it is going too far. Political correctness has been blamed for many stupid decisions down the years, from changing the name of Noddy’s best pal, to replacing the logo on the Robinsons Jam-jars: we are all victims of this PC madness at times.
But the problem lies not in the principal: it lies with the individuals who are entrusted to observe the principals: the human mentality of “getting away with it”. As in every walk of life, we’ll push things to the very edge, always trying to get away with a little more each time. Not content with wearing their ancestors colours, the limit will be pushed to singing the national anthem: to waving the national flag: to getting involved in the “battles” of the ancestral country: to carrying old thoughts and principals through to day to day life: to singing songs glorifying terrorism: to making gestures: to name calling: to graffiti: to wishing someone dead because they disagree with your outlook and what you stand for.
And there you have it: extremism in its purest form. And before anyone thinks that the author is in any way ‘aiming’ this at one particular group of people, wake up: it happens on all sides.
Racism in Scottish football, most famously demonstrated by the “banana incident” at Celtic Park involving Mark Walters, is to be condemned as it is to be condemned in every walk of life. Can you imagine walking into ASDA and launching a racist tirade at one of their black staff? You guessed it: police called, frog-marched down to the station, and rightly so. And yet, 15 years on, we heard those same ‘monkey-noises’ coming from the stands at Celtic Park, aimed at a black player.
Where has this come from?
Why has it re-appeared?
Again, we are witnessing extremism in its most terrifying form. And please, do not dismiss this as many sections of the media and support have done already: in the authors own personal circumstance, as surely happens with many others, questions were recently asked on why that was happening, did this happen at all football matches, why go if the atmosphere is like that, how can you stand there and listen to it? Sickening.
So, what can we do about it? How can it stop?
The truth is that the clubs can do very little. True, they both should be doing much more. When Martin O’Neill is asked about the “wonderful fans” and their support, simply praising the fans but mentioning the fact that he is appalled by the songs sung glorifying terrorists in his own homeland, would be a start. When Alex McLeish comments on the “tremendous” support of the fans at their game, a word saying that he was dismayed by the monkey noises and potato throwing would help some people wake up.
Yes the clubs have sent letters from the chairmen, got involved in anti-racism campaigns yada yada yada, but the problem is that the morons who perpetrate these acts are not going to listen to a “suit”. They may listen to their team manager, or players, condemning specific incidents and asking them to refrain.
So, how about it, Celtic and Rangers? Do something about it. Whilst the blame and responsibility cannot be laid at the door of the clubs, they are in the enviable position of being able to a least try to do something to change attitudes: and as companies, sporting organisations, and human beings, they have a responsibility to do just that.
Next time you are listening to the guy behind you sing his songs about the IRA, or the guy on the left being ‘up to his knees in you_know_what”, or even the guy in front acting like Alf Garnet in 1980s South Africa, have a think to yourself: do you want that kind of vile attitude to be associated with the club you love?
Me neither.