Fansâ?? anger at anti-sectarian guidelines that will â??steriliseâ?? match culture

[ian1964 10,514]

By GARETH ROSE

Published on Sunday 25 March 2012 00:00

 

THE Lord Advocate has issued fresh guidelines about what songs and chants will be illegal under the Scottish Governmentâ??s new anti-sectarian legislation in a move that has angered fans.

 

In updated guidance to police, Frank Mullholland, Scotlandâ??s most senior prosecutor, has warned singing or chanting songs which â??glorify, celebrate or mock events involving the loss of lifeâ? should be viewed as offensive.

 

The ten-page report also says that â??flags, banners, songs or chants in support of terrorist organisationsâ? are â??likely to be offensiveâ?.

 

Songs â??which promote or celebrate violence against another personâ??s religion, culture or heritageâ? are also â??likely to be offensiveâ?, according to Mulholland.

 

The guidance would seem to clarify that fans singing some of the most well-known songs sung on the football terraces will now face arrest. It is understood Mulhollandâ??s guidance outlaws songs like the Billy Boys, The Boys Of The Old Brigade, the so-called Famine Song, and the chant â??Ooh Ah, Up The Raâ?, which is sung by Celtic supporters.

 

Yesterday fans reacted angrily, claiming the guidelines could change the culture of football games to such an extent that supporters would be reduced to â??polite clappingâ?.

 

Mark Dingwall, board member of the Rangers Supporters Trust, said: â??Everyone who wants to do anything more than politely clap is very worried that they will lose their liberty and livelihoods.â?

 

The Lord Advocateâ??s guidance was published to coincide with the legislation coming into force this month.

 

The Scottish Government and the Crown Office have repeatedly refused to provide a comprehensive list of songs which would lead to fans being arrested. The lack of clarity has led to criticism that fans did not know which songs could lead to them being arrested.

 

The Crown Office has warned fans who breach the new law to expect robust action.

 

A spokesman said: â??The singing of offensive songs of any kind, or the display of offensive flags or banners, will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators of any incidents of this nature will be dealt with robustly by the prosecution service. Where the song is religiously prejudiced the relevant aggravation will be libelled.â?

 

Jeanette Findlay, chairwoman of the Celtic Supporters Trust, said: â??This legislation is entirely aimed at Celtic fans.

 

â??The existing legislation was entirely adequate, it was there and it could be used.â?

 

Dingwall argued that the legislation runs the risk of sterilising the atmosphere at football matches by criminalising â??banterâ? among fans. â??Weâ??ve had meetings with police where they say, â??whatâ??s that got to do with football, why canâ??t you just clap?â??

 

â??Itâ??s alright saying banterâ??s allowed, but weâ??ve seen fans indulging in banter who have then been arrested,â? he said.

 

Hibs fans Andrew Whitson, 28, of Kitchener Crescent, Longniddry and Paul Swan, 39, of Coronation Place, Tranent became the first people to be convicted under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act last week when they admitted singing songs that were â??of a racially derogative natureâ? on a train between Ayr and Glasgow.

 

They were fined a combined £380.

 

A Scottish Government spokesman added: â??This legislation will have no impact on the banter and passionate support that goes hand in hand with supporting football teams, which are part of the competition and rivalry that is the lifeblood of the sport.

 

â??It is about eradicating sectarianism and other unacceptable expressions of hate from our national game.

 

â??The overwhelming majority of football fans who have been supporting their teams in the true spirit of the game for years therefore have absolutely nothing to fear.

 

â??In fact it is designed to improve their experience, ensuring they can focus on football and not be distracted by the mindless, hateful prejudices of a small minority.â?

 

http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/scotland/fans-anger-at-anti-sectarian-guidelines-that-will-sterilise-match-culture-1-2194917

[der Berliner 3,363]

If people behave for 90 to 120 minutes on a match day inside a football stadium, so be it. That was what UEFA called for. That the SFA, SPL and consequently Scottish lawmakers decided to go one step further is indeed picking at the freedom of speech. But ... as we have been saying all along, if you do not get to the root of the problem - albeit with sluggish steps - the problem will remain. It is in fact quite amusing to note that they still cling to the naughty Billy Boys (the first song on that list, hear hear) when we are actually talking about ...

The ten-page report also says that “flags, banners, songs or chants in support of terrorist organisations” are “likely to be offensive”.

 

And of course the Hooped Horrors' lady is most upset about it, while probably never understood that the Terrorist Act 2006 has been in force for years now and it actually beggars belief that her beloved Hoops have not already been punished for regularly violating it, even and especially under SFA and SPL guidelines.

 

Jeanette Findlay, chairwoman of the Celtic Supporters Trust, said: “This legislation is entirely aimed at Celtic fans.

 

“The existing legislation was entirely adequate, it was there and it could be used.”

 

Yes, at long last it is aimed at you! And if your cohorts at the SPL and SFA had acted according to the law, none such new law would have to be needed. So in that respect, I really hope that you and yours get FUBAR.

[26th of foot 5,902]

Jeanette Findlay should be provided with every platform, she is truly barking and is determined to display this trait at every turn.

 

You must wonder why the University of Glasgow continues to employ such a tunnel visioned clown as a Senior Lecturer?

[aweebluesoandso 290]

We can live with the new laws, can they? i doubt it.

[Guest Dutchy]

It's more to do with steralising the working class. Imagine the people you meet when you're in power???