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Posted by

Roy Greenslade

 

 

It will be interesting to see if any newspaper covers the fact that members of Britain's armed forces appeared to join in with Scottish football fans as they sang sectarian songs at a match yesterday. Initial reports suggest not.

 

Some 400 uniformed soldiers, seamen and air force personnel attended an armed forces day at Ibrox, the Rangers ground. After a formal march and band music, a group of soldiers (they were in khaki) were filmed dancing, clapping and singing along with the crowd.

 

Although it is difficult to make out the exact words on the video posted on YouTube, people have identified sectarian songs and chants celebrating the death of the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.

 

Rival Celtic fans were quick to point to songs that are supposed to be banned from all Scottish football grounds under a new law passed by the Scottish parliament.

 

One commenter to the YouTube site wrote of it being a "disgusting vile and tawdry spectacle". Another wrote: "Shocking stuff. I hope this vid is forwarded to the footballing and army authorities."

 

Two media reports about the events that have been published - one here on the STV site and another here on the Daily Record site - make no reference to the soldiers' antics.

 

The STV report mentioned that an army band "entertained fans" and quoted Major General Nick Eeles, general officer commanding Scotland, as saying it was hoped to make it into an annual event.

 

The Record did write that "the match-day experience began in dramatic circumstances" but only because two marines "abseiled down the Govan stand ahead of kick-off, before delivering the match ball to the referee."

 

How odd that both outlets missed the story? Or do their reporters think soldiers chanting jingoistic sectarian songs in unison with football fans is unworthy of comment?

 

Incidentally, Saturday was not the official armed forces celebration day in Britain (that falls in the close season). The club, with the full approval of the military, decided to stage its own separate event.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade

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there's two law codes in Scotland, there is the innocent till proven guilty, the one favoured by any sane and sensible person on this planet, there is then the rabid Rangers knocking press and mhanks rule in anything that can impact our club, guilty until proven innocent, which this shit storm in a tea cup seems to be all about.

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Armed Forces Day at Ibrox ends with British soldiers joining in with hate filled Sectarian chants

 

In Scotland action may be taken after Armed Forces personnel joined in with hateful chants before Rangers game with Stenhousemuir.

 

The incident took place on Saturday, as soldiers were filmed dancing and clapping with the fans, in embarrassing scenes.

 

Fans sang about guardian the walls of Derry and chanted about the death of Bobby Sands.

 

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/armed-forces-day-at-ibrox-ends-with-british-soldiers-joining-in-with-hate-filled-sectarian-chants/

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I don't know why we leave ourselves open to this type of accusation. Having an armed service day in support of the troops is all well and good, but seeing them singing and dancing after their parade was slightly uncomfortable viewing, even as a Rangers fan. I'm sure I'll be in the minority thinking this, but what actually happened, and how it looks to the outside world, are two different things, especially when it's to do with us.

 

On the bright side, was nice to see the troops carrying the Saltire.

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