Celtic take action but sectarianism still evident and never goes away!!

0762 · (This post was last modified: 12-01-2016, 14:29 by 0762.)

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celti...sses-club/

Fast on the heels of Rangers recent sectarian shenanigans at Ibrox, we have more unacceptable antisocial behaviour supplemented by sectarian shit that should not be tolerated in Scottish football!! Thumb down

Celtic's failure is so similar to Rangers actions/failure where it's noticeable they both have a significant problem as observed by anyone watching or listening to the games of particular interest and it never goes away because there are too many individuals who have some kinda poisonous interest in this kinda hate crime. I'd personally classify these people as very bored individuals stuck in their own little prejudiced world of sectarianism and the antagonism/intimidation that goes with it as well as the extreme violence that will consequently arise now and again. In Celtic's case they've applied their own action against certain fans but the usual 'lip service' prevails. Any football club can wish or state that these offensive fans should stay away and state their anti sectarian policy but they must be forced to do more than that when it becomes absolutely clear that the prob is still simmering away as the football seasons pass by, year by year. It's great to see it highlighted in the public realm and IMO the more this is formally done, the better! The more formal complaints re offensive matches to broadcasters, to the SFA, the SPFL and ultimately higher authorities, the better. Higher authorities, incl the offending football clubs, will have to take appropriate action because of an intense public opposition to practising a hate crime in a Scottish sport, namely football. Tell me any other sport in Scotland where this practise prevails currently or historically? Nuff said!

Fredstersafool · 12-01-2016, 14:29

It's the fact they actually provide a section for these people that makes ye laugh,token gesture banning 3 IMO.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 12-01-2016, 15:49 by 0762.)

Yep! The Old Firm are fool of token gestures and that's part of the problem. It's the impunity of this lame action that is very irritating and it's clearly not dealing with the inherent issues attached to their sectarian crisis.
Also good to see the SFA's CEO, Stuart Regan, today suggesting debate re anti-social behaviour and also suggesting the possibility of sanctions, points deductions and other punishments. I hope that suggestion embraces the sectarian issue as well. Indeed, it was enlightening to hear about the intimidation and threats that Regan and his family experienced from anarchists who were affiliated to Rangers FC during the worst years of the demise of GRFC. I'm not a Regan fan but it would be an education for someone like him to experience the poisonous bile and intimidation that we all know exists within the framework of these football institutions. Tackling it effectively is the big challenge!

**St Charles Owl** · 12-01-2016, 19:13

(12-01-2016, 14:29)Fredstersafool Wrote: It's the fact they actually provide a section for these people that makes ye laugh,token gesture banning 3 IMO.

And those three were banned for throwing flares or smoke bombs, something I would argue is a lot easier to spot when an idiot who throws something onto the pitch than it is to singles out someone singing a song when others are also singing the same one. Its going to be a long haul to eradicate this from Scottish Football and I am not convinced the authorities or the clubs have the stomach for it, but as custodians of the game in Scotland it is there duty to try.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 12-01-2016, 21:09 by 0762.)

The 'acid test' is the proposed intro of 'Strict Liability' as practised by UEFA and the English FA and mentioned to be proposed by Regan. But the decision goes with the Scot footie clubs that are certain to reject the proposal - talk about backward football practise for fear of their own fans' behaviour! Thumb down

Force it on them under statute if that's their selfish stance on it!

0762 · (This post was last modified: 13-01-2016, 15:30 by 0762.)

Also good to see the anti-sectarian organisation, Nil by Mouth, urging the introduction of 'Strict Liability' as well. It should've been introduced years ago and set the onus on the serious removal of this kinda behaviour in any sport. However, we all know that the only offending sport is football!

0762 · (This post was last modified: 13-01-2016, 15:26 by 0762.)

Another notable contributor to the debate last night was Willie Miller on bbc Sportsound rightly questioning why a majority of Scottish footie clubs would reject Strict Liability anyway. But very noticeable certain fellow pundits who oppose it but with no real defensive reason attached to their comments! Best comment of the debate is by a spokesperson from Nil by Mouth - The majority of people who watch and follow Scottish football are fed up with this issue and wish it would go away.

**St Charles Owl** · 13-01-2016, 22:49

The clubs will not vote this through because the sanctions are against them and in reality I very much doubt they trust all their fans to adhere to it. They will feel there is only so much they can do, which the bulk of clubs are doing but this would be like Liverpool banning themselves from Europe due to hooligans they could not realistically control without outside legislation!

0762 · 14-01-2016, 01:51

The English FA/English footie conforms to the rules governing Strict Liability!

**St Charles Owl** · (This post was last modified: 14-01-2016, 06:50 by St Charles Owl.)

So what reasons are out there for why Scottish teams will likely not allow it? I still maintain that its because they do not trust some of their fans to cooperate and they will end up with the consequences over that. It should be brought in, it already applies to all European games and should be brought in across all the leagues.