Bluedell 5,348 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 It is fantastic that Rangers go into the festive period 4 points clear at the top of the SPL, and if we emerge from Easter Road and Parkhead with points in the bag we’ll be well placed to retain our title. As ever, we will be very much in the media spotlight and it doesn’t take a genius to work out that with both these key away games live on TV, close attention will be paid on the songs sung at our end of the ground. There is still an element amongst our number using the ‘add-ons’ that have previously contributed to the Club being in disciplinary trouble with UEFA and a section of our support has recently developed "The Billy Boys" amnesia. It’s been a few years now since UEFA’s judgement but we all need to remember that TBB is banned. There has been much debate about the song but TBB is getting the full treatment and creeping back into our songbook. Many argue it shouldn't be banned, that Rangers are singled out for disproportionate treatment and, yes, we hear versions of the tune elsewhere, but on this issue we are effectively on long-term probation with UEFA and therefore the SFA. See details of the UEFA Directive under Assembly and UEFA Directive drop down menus. Like it or not, this song is banned and singing it is a deliberate invitation for more trouble to come our way. We need to get the message out to ALL our supporters that TBB and the add-ons need to stop. Why hand anything to our rivals which they use against us, especially when we’re top of the league? The Rangers Supporters Assembly appeals to every Rangers fan to help us on this - it's in our own hands! http://www.thebluenose.co.uk/news/assembly-news/the-billy-boys-20091223317/ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) I don't think they're doing us any favours there. Why highlight a minority of misbebahviour over the majority who behave. By tackling the "problem" head on and admitting we have a few who misbehave, rather than being congratulated for being proactive or at least having the attention turned to those who ignore their issues, we merely invite more attacks. Whilst Celtic, who refuse to admit any wrong doing by their fans and never admit they have done anything wrong or have any issues to tackle, are left alone. Because their defence is staunch and resolute no one attacks them. We have shown ourselves to be weak and so, whilst we accept criticism after criticism and santion after sanction we merely invite more censure on our club and support. Edited December 23, 2009 by Super_Ally Fucktard spelling 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I don't know what to make of the whole farce anymore. I can understand Super_Ally's point of view, but at the end of the day you can't deny something that's undeniable. We're not talking about something that's being put into question here, were talking about something that's supposedly 'banned'. The resulting & current problem is that a large number of paying customers are adamant that they'll sing the song whenever they like because as far as they're concerned it's a 'free' country. What people need to realize is that Mel Gibson screaming 'FREEDOM' in an inaccurate film doesn't mean that we're 'free'. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I don't think they're doing us any favours there. Why highlight a minority of misbebahviour over the majority who behave. By tackling the "problem" head on and admitting we have a few who misbehave, rather than being congratulated for being proactive or at least having the attention turned to those who ignore their issues, we merely invite more attacks. Whilst Celtic, who refuse to admit any wrong doing by their fans and enver admit thaey have done anything wrong or have any issues to tackle are left alone. Becuase their defence is staunch and resolute no one attacks them. We have shown ourselves to be weak and so, whilst we accept criticism after criticism and santion after sanction we merely invite more censure on our club and support. You use a dictionary for this part ? :devil: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 You use a dictionary for this part ? :devil: Aye, but in what language is anyone's guess. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewarty 1,877 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 It does seem like a rather random point in time to make such a statement. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maineflyer 0 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 The most unhelpful aspect of this is that the Assembly felt the need to make that statement. There are times when it is most constructive just to say nothing. The Assembly needs to learn this and the difference between sound and noise. Perhaps the hiatus in their corporate wranglings has left them without as much to do as they obviously expected but they should not be filling their vacuum by playing the role of moral policemen. It's not their business and if they had done more at the time then the song wouldn't be wrongly considered by many to be banned today. Why are our self-styled 'representatives' always such fukking po-faced and pious capitulators? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabashcannonball 0 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 From another place. Social problem In examining the alleged discriminatory chants, the Control & Disciplinary Body admitted that the nature of the song concerned – “Billy Boys” - related to a social problem in Scotland. The body also believed that the disciplinary decision in this case had to be taken in the context of Scotland’s social and historical background. Studied evidence After studying the evidence at hand as well as the statement of Rangers FC, the Control & Disciplinary Body conceded that supporters have been singing the song "Billy Boys" for years during national and international matches without either the Scottish football or governmental authorities being able to intervene. The result is that this song is now somehow tolerated. Social and historical context Given this social and historical context, the Control & Disciplinary Body said it considered that UEFA cannot demand an end to behaviour which has been tolerated for years. In view of the above, the Control & Disciplinary Body ruled that, despite the behaviour of its supporters, Rangers FC had not infringed Article 5 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (click here) and cannot be punished according to Article 6 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,348 Posted December 24, 2009 Author Share Posted December 24, 2009 From another place. Social problem In examining the alleged discriminatory chants, the Control & Disciplinary Body admitted that the nature of the song concerned ââ?¬â?? ââ?¬Å?Billy Boysââ?¬Â - related to a social problem in Scotland. The body also believed that the disciplinary decision in this case had to be taken in the context of Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s social and historical background. Studied evidence After studying the evidence at hand as well as the statement of Rangers FC, the Control & Disciplinary Body conceded that supporters have been singing the song "Billy Boys" for years during national and international matches without either the Scottish football or governmental authorities being able to intervene. The result is that this song is now somehow tolerated. Social and historical context Given this social and historical context, the Control & Disciplinary Body said it considered that UEFA cannot demand an end to behaviour which has been tolerated for years. In view of the above, the Control & Disciplinary Body ruled that, despite the behaviour of its supporters, Rangers FC had not infringed Article 5 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (click here) and cannot be punished according to Article 6 I presume that's the wording of the original finding which was appealed and overturned. The decision of the appeal allegedly said the following: ââ?¬Å?UEFA has to send a strong message that sectarianism is unacceptable within football, especially within UEFA competitions. If Rangers FC wishes to compete in UEFA competitions, they must combat this behaviour not only on the occasion of home matches but also on the occasion of away matches. These incidents are ascribable to Rangers FC in accordance with Article 6(1) RD and must be punished accordingly.ââ?¬Â 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabashcannonball 0 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 (edited) I presume that's the wording of the original finding which was appealed and overturned. The decision of the appeal allegedly said the following: “UEFA has to send a strong message that sectarianism is unacceptable within football, especially within UEFA competitions. If Rangers FC wishes to compete in UEFA competitions, they must combat this behaviour not only on the occasion of home matches but also on the occasion of away matches. These incidents are ascribable to Rangers FC in accordance with Article 6(1) RD and must be punished accordingly.” You are correct in presuming, but not in fact. Nowhere in the overturning of the original ruling is anything mentioned as being banned, the usual UEFA fudge was put in place "unacceptable" was the favoured expression, as in the original ruling UEFA would be in breach of their own rules Article 6 (1) to attempt to implement any further sanctions, many things in life are seen as unacceptable, but are not banned. I do know that a rather irate legal eagle of Rangers tradition is intending to use some words from "God Save The Queen", as a rebuttal of scurrilous allegations ascribed to TBB. Namely,.. Lord grant that Marshal Wade May by thy mighty aid Victory bring May he sedition hush And like a torrent rush Rebellious Scots to crush God save the Queen. There are also implications to a High court ruling with regard to "feenians" as being all encompassing to people of Irish descent and the famine song. When all is said and done, I often think of the old adage "sticks and stones", some people should really get a thicker skin and others a backbone. Edited December 24, 2009 by wabashcannonball 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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