johnnyk 158 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Police launch new sectarian singing probe MARTIN WILLIAMS Share 5 Oct 2011 POLICE have launched an investigation into the singing of sectarian songs at the SPL game between Hearts and Celtic at the weekend. Officers have begun a post-match investigation after receiving complaints away fans sung pro-IRA songs during the sideâ??s 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle Stadium. It is understood the police are also looking into the singing of anti-Catholic songs by Hearts fans. Police have confirmed one fan was arrested and charged with breach of the peace â??with a sectarian aggravatorâ? at Sundayâ??s match, which was shown live on Sky Sports. Songs reported to have been sung by Celtic fans included Ooh Ah Up The Ra, said to be a pro-IRA song :surprised:, The Boys of the Old Brigade, which celebrates the role of the 1920s IRA in the Irish War of Independence, and Roll of Honour, an Irish rebel song that commemorates the participants in the 1981 Irish hunger strike. A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: â??We are investigating complaints about the singing of sectarian songs and there is a post-match investigation under way. Anyone who is found during these inquiries to be committing an offence will be brought to justice.â? We are investigating complaints about the singing of sectarian songs and there is an investigation under way The new probe was compared by the police to that carried out when trouble flared at the Hiber-nian v Sunderland pre-season friendly in August. As of last week, 12 men have been arrested and charged with breach of the peace, some of which were aggravated by religious prejudice. Sundayâ??s game was expected to lead to high tensions as it was the first since Celtic manager Neil Lennon was confronted by Hearts fan John Wilson on the touchline in May. Mr Wilson, an unemployed labourer, was jailed for eight months after being found guilty of a breach of the peace at the game in May, although there was uproar over a not proven verdict returned by the jury at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on a charge of assault aggravated by religious prejudice. Safety measures introduced for Sundayâ??s match included â??clear zonesâ? between the two sets of fans and police and stewards around the dugouts. Security guards escorted Lennon closely in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the scenes. While there was no sign at the match of Wilson, who was banned from Tynecastle for life after charging at Lennon, the Celtic manager was taunted by some Hearts fans who wore face masks of Wilson. There were also reports schoolboy football team Livingston Hearts were subjected to abuse from Celtic fans when they took to the field at Tynecastle. Scores of supporters were seen making obscene gestures at the youngsters as they jogged past on a lap of honour during the half time interval. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,720 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I wonder why the police never went in and lifted the fans during the game? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I wonder why the police never went in and lifted the fans during the game? Can you imagine the riot if they did. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,720 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Can you imagine the riot if they did. What like moving in and ejected a young fan for drinking water from a bottle you mean? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 (edited) So much for the police only targetting Rangers fans. Edited October 5, 2011 by Gazza_8 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 What like moving in and ejected a young fan for drinking water from a bottle you mean? I know mate, but that shower would start throwing things we all know how much they like throwing things. Good to see the abuse dished out to the young boys getting a mention. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk 158 Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 I think after the number of complaints they had to look in to it at least. Wouldn't surprise me if it's the Hearts fans who get charged and the tims get away with it as usual..... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,720 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 So much for the police only targetting Rangers fans. But that is all Rangers fans want,parity!!!. Rangers as a club have made great efforts to change the song sheet,and the Rangers fans have changed the song sheet yet still get intimadated at home games. Rangers FC realised there was a problem and did something about it,BHEAST FC however deny they have a problem and their fans get the full support from BHEAST FC and mHedia. I'll wait and see what come out of this invistgation before commenting,I'm not holding my breath. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 So much for the police only targetting Rangers fans. The level and speed of attention Rangers fans receive is far different to that of Celtic and anyone else. Though that is a combined problem with the police, media and politicians. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dutchy Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Can you imagine the riot if they did. I don't think we need to imagine it, it's already happened at last seasons Hearts/septic game were the stewards tried to get hold of a/some septic fans and there was a rammy broke out on the exit stairs. Imagine trying then to arrest anyone for contravening H&S regulations, so I'd say there would never be any police, or stewards brave enough to go into that 'potential' hothouse of hate. I'm bloody sure I wouldn't. 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.