Bluedell 6,159 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB59.pdf http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB62.pdf The submission from Rangers is, on the whole, excellent and makes a lot of great points. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,938 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB59.pdf Some excellent points made by the club (and the Assembly in their separate submission). We can only hope the powers at be take our opinion seriously. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,938 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Main points for me (from RFC statement): It is important, however, to reiterate that football clubs are not the cause, nor are they the sole solution, to addressing offensive and threatening behaviour of individuals. Nor can they be responsible for curing the ills of society. It should be acknowledged that the general behaviour of football supporters across Scotland is extremely good, including at Old Firm matches. Football matches in Scotland are played in a safe and generally comfortable environment. The management and policing of matches has advanced immeasurably over the years. There is virtually no violence at or around football stadiums when matches take place, unlike many European countries. The incidence of racism has diminished to a very low level whereas this continues to be a significant issue in leading footballing countries in continental Europe. In this context, Rangers Football Club believes the challenges facing football should be kept in perspective. Football makes an overwhelmingly positive contribution to society. It is important to state that the perception that there are only problems at Old Firm matches, or that it is only Rangers fans who sing offensive songs, is simply untrue and it is crucial that the new Football Policing Unit applies a fair and even-handed approach when it comes to addressing offensive behaviour. We are concerned that the new Football Policing Unit has, so far, had a disproportionate focus on Rangers supporters and indeed, the unit has attended 100% of our matches this season, often filming fans, including children, who are not engaging in any offensive behaviours. We are unaware of any other club that the unit has so far attended 100% of their matches. This is extremely troubling for Rangers Football Club and its supporters as it appears the Football Policing Unit is manifesting as an „anti-sectarian unit‟, not an "offensive behaviour‟ unit and there is a disproportionate focus on Rangers supporters. Whilst the Bill does not focus on sectarianism specifically, the policy memorandum contains numerous references to “sectarianism” and as such, there needs to be further clarification on two things before the Bill goes before the Scottish Parliament: a) how does the Parliament define sectarianism; and b) that the legislation will tackle ALL forms of offensive behaviour, not just sectarianism. With songs glorifying the death of Rangers fans in the Ibrox disaster and pro-IRA songs among those being regularly sung by other clubs, we would ask for assurance that any new legislation was enforced consistently and even-handedly to tackle ALL offensive behaviour and that the legislation makes clear whether or not songs or chants in support of terrorist organisations will be an offense under the new legislation. The list in subsection (4) makes no mention of proscribed organisations and we would ask that this be included. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,938 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 We firmly believe we have the most robust system in Scottish football for tackling offensive behaviour by supporters and within the last 10 years have taken action against more than 3,000 supporters for a wide range of issues, including more than 550 banned for sectarianism. No Club does more to identify and deal with rogue supporters and we would be more than happy to work with the SPL and SFA to share our best practice. Another salient point. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,938 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The RSAssembly submission can be viewed here: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB7.pdf 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,938 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Also, an interesting submission from ACPOS which discusses 'political' chanting: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB60.pdf 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 6,159 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 The RSAssembly submission can be viewed here: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB7.pdf Yes, also a very good submission. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Was interesting to read both the statements Rangers very open, we have a problem we are tackling it head on and having great results so lay off us and get the rest of the house in order. Where Celtic seemed to be talking in circles without ever saying they had a problem and all you Celtic haters must be brought to justice, liked the sensitive sectarian subject, plain speak means IRA songs not sectarian so we don't have to do anything about it oh and by the way only Rangers fans are sectarian. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 6,159 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Also, an interesting submission from ACPOS which discusses 'political' chanting: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OB60.pdf Good to see the H word being included. However it's concerning that anti-IRA chants may fall under the legislation. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,938 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I wonder who submitted this statement: We have no difficulty with the enforcement of any legislation relating to hate crimes in the context of any of the categories listed in the Bill. Celtic supporters do not engage in mass singing of any songs of hate for any other group of people on grounds of religion, nationality or any of the other categories listed in the Bill. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.