ian1964

Lawyer plagued with hate mail after Rangers 'domestic abuse' TV Comment A SENIOR lawyer has been plagued with hate mail and threats of violence after referring to Rangers during a discussion about domestic abuse. Nicola Gilchrist, who is also the chair of Scottish Women's Aid, appeared on BBC's The Nine last week to discuss the new coercive control law which is due to come in to force in Scotland tomorrow. Appearing alongside Fiona Drouet, the mother of student Emily Drouet who took her own life following domestic abuse, Ms Gilchrist explained the new legislation would help to change perceptions and understanding of the crime. However, she then said domestic abuse was not about "a black eye after the Rangers lose nor something" prompting outrage from fans, and even the club itself called for an explanation. The BBC were also criticised, with some fans suggesting the advocate was told to mention the club by BBC bosses deliberately – an accusation she strongly denies. Police have now stepped in to help Ms Gilchrist after her phone number and work details were circulated on social media, and she began receiving thousands of menacing messages. Officers are investigating the threats, and are understood to have spoken to BBC bosses as well as Ms Gilchrist as part of their inquiries. Speaking to the Herald on Sunday, the advocate said the repercussions of ill-judged phrasing has been "utterly horrendous". She said: "It has been relentless – constant emails, tweets, hundreds of messages. "I have had over 5,000 messages. I've had people calling me, texting me. When they phone they don't say anything but the text messages are things like 'You're a f***ing disgrace'. "Someone emailed my assistant saying 'sack her', I got a message saying I was 'too ugly to rape'. It has been utterly relentless, some of the stuff is too disgusting for words." Ms Gilchrist said she was unable to leave her home for nearly a week following her appearance on the show last Friday, March 22. The following day she contacted the police as she was so concerned with the level of threats and abuse she was receiving. She added: "There were disgusting, horrible things said about me. These people seem to be obsessed with the fact that I must be Catholic, or a Celtic fan – neither of which I am. "Someone found a tweet about the Lisbon Treaty I had retweeted from ages ago, and commented on that. "One of my friends had to explain to me why it was being commented on – because they thought it was related to the Lisbon Lions. That is not the Lisbon Treaty." The reason for referring to Rangers, Ms Gilchrist said, was not intentional and it was not the first time she had used a specific football team name when speaking about the subject. She explained: "I meant football games in general. The reason I said that team was because it was my grandpa's team and it was a team I was thinking of because they play in the locality of where I was – the BBC studio. I had driven past Ibrox on my way there. "I have given talks before about domestic abuse in Edinburgh and I've said 'it's not because Hibs lose', or in Inverness: 'it's not because Caley lose'. It's more to do with a sense of place rather than anything else. "I was parachuted in to that at the last minute, so for people to say I did this deliberately, and 'You know all about the beef with the BBC and Rangers' – I really didn't. "I was in make-up until 8.55pm and I was on the sofa at eight minutes past nine. There was no talking to anybody." Amnesty International Scotland has spoken out following the advocate's online trolling experience, and called for police to take a "robust" approach to the threats. The organisation launched a Toxic Twitter campaign and last year released a report detailing the amount of abuse women suffered on the platform – one abusive or problematic tweet roughly every 30 seconds. Naomi McAuliffe, Amnesty International’s Scotland Programme Director, said: “Making vile threats on social media is simply unacceptable and we hope to see a robust response from Police Scotland in tackling an increasingly toxic online environment where women experience violence daily. They face a barrage of abuse including racist and sexist attacks to rape and death threats. “For the past 18 months we’ve been specifically calling on Twitter to take swift and meaningful action by enforcing its own rules on hateful conduct and abuse and making sure it's a safe space for women." A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "Police Scotland is responding to a report of threats made to an individual within Edinburgh. The matter was reported to police on March 23 and inquiries are ongoing." The long-running feud between the Ibrox side and the national broadcaster relates to several incidences of what Rangers perceive to be a lack of impartiality in reporting matters involving the club. In July 2011, the broadcaster was banned over its reporting of then-manager Ally McCoist's views on football violence and sectarianism, for which it apologised. Three months later, Rangers said it was "withdrawing all co-operation" with the BBC over a documentary about the club's future under Craig Whyte, and over several incidences of unfair or imbalanced reporting. In 2012, the BBC angered the club again after airing a spoof of the TV drama Mad Men which showed McCoist falling from a building. Journalists Chris McLaughlin and Chick Young were told to stay away from Ibrox in 2014 after the broadcaster published information about a leaked document which hinted at a plot to sack McCoist. McLaughlin was banned again in mid-2015 and in January 2016. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17539900.lawyer-plagued-with-hate-mail-after-rangers-domestic-abuse-tv-comment/?ref=mr&lp=7

By Reevel Alderson Home affairs correspondent, BBC Scotland Football clubs have been warned that the Scottish government will act if they do not root out sectarianism in the sport. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the "vile cancer" was a societal problem, and was not just connected to football. But he said there were far too many incidents of sectarianism around football grounds. He said clubs must say how they will tackle the problem - and if not, "all options" remain on the table. Police warn of rise in football sectarianism and violence Police Scotland look into sectarian singing and coin throwing It comes after a recent Scottish Police Authority board meeting heard how offensive behaviour at Scottish football matches had increased in the last year. Officers have been attacked and spat on and a police horse also required treatment after it was hit with a flare, the board heard. Mr Yousaf also announced an additional £530,000 for anti-sectarian organisations, bringing the total allocated to £14m since 2012. The government's controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, introduced in 2012, was repealed in 2018. Sectarianism, once dubbed "Scotland's shame", recently returned to the headlines after Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke highlighted the verbal abuse he received from Rangers fans. Kilmarnock and ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd also spoke out about chants he was subjected to by Celtic supporters. Others to have shared their negative experiences of life in the Old Firm spotlight include Chris Sutton and Neil McCann. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Yousaf said he would be prepared to legislate again. He said: "When it comes to legislation, my challenge to the football clubs and others is: 'Show me how you're going to act. Tell me how you're going to root this out'. "But if you don't then we reserve the right to act. "And I'll look at legislation we currently have, like licensing laws for example. I'll look at potential solutions like strict liability for example, and we will not rule them out and we will not take them off the table. "So all the options remain very firmly on the table." Combating bigotry Mr Yousaf said the government would do whatever was within its power to tackle bigotry, including at football, marches and parades or in work places. As he announced grants to projects tackling the issue at school-level, he said education was pivotal. A grant of £85,000 was given to Sense Over Sectarianism (SOS), which supports pupils in Glasgow to recognise and combat bigotry and provides training for teachers across the country. Development officer, Mark Adams said: "In the past 12 months SOS has worked with unprecedented numbers and this funding gives the programme a solid platform to build on and consolidate this success. "In addition we will be able to once again host the national month of action for Scottish schools which proved very popular in February of this year." 'Lacking leadership' Another project to benefit from the new round of funding was Nil By Mouth, which provides free anti-sectarian education in workplaces. Director Dave Scott said: "We have seen huge interest in our tackling sectarianism in the workplace programme in recent years with more than 125 employers participating, including more than a third of Scottish local authorities. "Scotland is bigger, better and bolder than bigotry and this welcome investment in grassroots projects like ours will take that message to schools, colleges, universities, workplaces and communities right across the country and help people find their voices on this issue." Prof Duncan Morrow, former chair of the independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland, said: "The past few months have shown that sectarianism remains a problem in Scotland. "There is no doubting that progress has been made, especially in communities, but it will continue to rear its head if it is not faced and addressed firmly. "I am pleased that the Scottish government remains committed to tackling sectarianism, and hope that others outside of government will now show the leadership that has been lacking for so long." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-47750125

Hastie 'agrees personal terms' with Rangers Motherwell wide man Jake Hastie has reportedly agreed terms with Rangers over a summer switch from Fir Park. That’s the news coming out of Football Insider who say the 21-year-old has agreed a four-year deal worth £15,000-a-week. Motherwell would be due a compensation fee for the Fir Park academy product. Rangers have long been linked with a move for the Scotland U21 star who has struck 10 goals in 37 appearances in his breakthrough season. And he was tipped by his former boss to go on to star for the Ibrox club. Stephen Findlay - who had the player on loan at Airdrie - said: “Jake was clearly a very special talent and we had a conversation about keeping him at Airdrie but he decided to go to play at a higher level. You could see the potential and the skill as well as a high workrate. “Even when he was with us we were told there were big teams chasing him so it doesn’t surprise me he is being linked with Rangers.” https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-news-transfers-live-build-14193407

Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos misses sitter on first Colombia start https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-striker-alfredo-morelos-misses-14188244 Barisic continues to be 'a weak link,' says Croatian football expert https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/17531745.barisic-continues-to-be-a-weak-link-says-croatian-football-expert/ This week has shown more bias towards Rangers players again by the Scottish gutter press as the headlines of two articles above show. The Scotland debacle continues with ST Pats FC players doing their bit yet it is all on the manager for the poor performances, none of the ST Pats players received derogatory headlines like our players. I am not a fan of international football but decided to have a look at the FIFA world rankings as we have a few players on international duty after reading both headlines. Morelos made his debut and I think Barisic did as well??, and scored his first goal for Croatia, and seemingly Davis & Lafferty played well??, Kamara played well in both games (first match was away to Italy). So all in our players have done reasonably well for their respective national teams. Only in the back water of Scotland eh!. Rankings: Croatia #4 - Barisic Columbia #12 - Morelos Northern Ireland #36 - Davis & Lafferty Finland #59 Kamara Scotland #40 http://en.fifaranking.net/ranking/

Really enjoyed that video! so many more goals could be added but it has given me confidence for Sunday ?, only joking I don't fancy us to win on Sunday.

Correct! he is a rat bastard! he fucked us over with the help of the incompetent police/law so my original thinking was fuck them!

RANGERS can today confirm that James Bisgrove will join the club as Director of Commercial and Marketing. https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/gers-appoint-director-of-commercial-marketing/

'Same injury' Rangers star Borna Barisic out ST Pats clash and will miss at least two weeks A scan on on the injury suffered while on Croatia duty has revealed he's injured the same left ankle he's previously had trouble with at Gers BORNA BARISIC has revealed he's out of the ST Pats showdown and will miss at least two weeks after crocking himself on international duty with Croatia. The left-back hobbled off during Croatia's surprise defeat to Hungary this week after he had played and scored against Azerbaijan last week in the Euro 2020 qualifiers. Barisic had a scan in Zagreb before he returned to Glasgow to look at the extent of the injury. But the news was not good with the 26-year-old injuring the same left ankle he'd previously had trouble with at Rangers. And he admitted he's gutted to be missing another game against ST Pats - after being unable to play in the December win at Ibrox. He said: "It's the same injury I had before on my left leg and I will miss a minimum of two weeks. "I'm sorry that I will have to skip the big derby with ST Pats. "Unfortunately, it's not the first time I have had to miss the biggest match in Scotland either. "Now I have to focus on recovery. "I did the best I could for my country against Hungary, but we suffered a disappointing defeat." Barisic's injury will come as a major blow to Steven Gerrard, who is likely now to rely on Andy Halliday to operate at left-back against ST Pats at the chamber of secrets. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4047688/borna-barisic-rangers-celtic-injured-out-old-firm/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1553676660

…and makes first pay-out to former player abused by coach Barry Bennell Crewe Alexandra have, for the first time, admitted responsibility for some of the abuse carried out by paedophile coach Barry Bennell. More than a year after he was jailed, the club has paid compensation, thought to be in the high tens of thousands of pounds, to one of its former youth players. But the settlement has not come with an apology. 'The devil incarnate': Paedophile former football coach Barry Bennell sentenced to 31 years Manchester City opens compensation scheme for survivors of sex abuse The successful claim, signed off on Monday, should open the doors to a flurry of similar deals in the weeks and months ahead. In what is a breakthrough agreement the club, which had been fighting claims on the basis there is no “reasonable reason” why players have taken so long to come forward, even accepted that the abuse Bennell carried out abroad on the boy he had initially met and coached at Crewe was its responsibility. In addition, the settlement reflected the chances of the aspiring young footballer’s potential career in the game. Speaking anonymously to ITV News the player, now in his 40s, said of his settlement: “It’s good news but it hasn’t sunk in yet. And there’s still no apology, but what do we expect?” While the majority of the abuse took place in this country, the former coach headed up many youth tours abroad. The former player, who had dreams of becoming a professional footballer, was abused in the UK and also overseas when Bennell persuaded him to spend a few weeks with a youth team in America. He was also one of the men who stood on the witness stand and gave evidence against Bennell during his trial. Bennell, described by the judge as an “industrial-scale child molester” is now serving a 30 years prison sentence. “I hope this now paves the way for all the other lads to get what they deserve," the victim said. His solicitor, Dino Nocivelli believes it should “ The club should have done the right thing and admitted responsibility when we first contacted them rather than trying to drag out proceedings.” He went on: “I am hopeful that the conclusion of this case will lead to the club dealing with other survivors in a quicker and fairer manner. "For far too long the club’s priority has been itself but this case hopefully shows a change of tact in how they deal with survivors. "It is just a pity that we have had to force them to change their views rather than the club openly and willingly accepting its failings.” Crewe is facing a number of other, similar civil claims as is Manchester City for whom Bennell also worked. City recently launched a compensation scheme worth millions of pounds as an alternative to going through a lengthy court process. The club claims youth players who were abused by Bennell could receive upwards of £100,000 each, depending on the extent of the abuse they suffered. It is intended that survivors will also, eventually, get a full apology from the club. Youth players who were abused by the club’s former coach Barry Bennell could receive upwards of £100,000 each. Credit: PA Manchester City’s offer is open to more than 30 known survivors initially, but the club believes that number will rise. Unlike the first Crewe settlement though, it’s believed the City scheme will not take into account the potential careers many of the boys turned their back on after their experiences with Bennell. A source close to the club told ITV News that despite the fact all the offences took place in a different era, under a different ownership, the current hierarchy believes it has a responsibility to do all it can to help right the wrongs committed behind the club’s badge. A spokesperson for Crewe Alexandra said: "The Club does not consider it appropriate to comment on individual cases that are being dealt with by its insurers, except to reiterate that it sincerely regrets the abuse committed by Barry Bennell and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victims and survivors." Last updated Tue 26 Mar 2019 https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-26/exclusive-crewe-alexandra-admit-responsibility-and-makes-first-pay-out-to-former-player-abused-by-coach-barry-bennell/

SUNDAY 31 March sees Rangers travel to Celtic Park to contest the 3rd Old Firm Derby of the season. https://rangers.co.uk/news/club/bar-72-old-firm-screening/ £36 per person!!!!, that is a terrible price IMO.

Glen Kamara currently playing for Finland, leading 0-1 so far. Hope he stays injury free!!

That's not the only thing that has happened though,TBF, I will always take the negative view whenever the BBC use our name!