SteveC 150 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Should be unbelievable but is just expected nowadays. --- The Scottish Professional Football League has decided not to take action against Celtic for a banner shown by their supporters in a league match with Aberdeen. Since November, the league have been investigating the display of a giant H by a section of fans at Parkhead, which was accompanied by the message "they fought and died for their wee bit hill and glen." Complaints were subsequently made to the SPFL, who confirmed they would determine whether the banner breached their rules on unacceptable conduct. STV understands the league have ruled there is no evidence to suggest their rules were breached in the incident. SPFL regulations say action may be taken if a person present at a match uses "words or conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000." However, a club is not automatically punished under SPFL rules if a potentially offensive banner is displayed. The league's regulations state action can be taken if a club has failed to take the necessary measures to prevent spectators from "engaging" in unacceptable conduct. They can then only be hit with sanctions if it can be proven the club failed to adopted and implement procedures to try to ensure such incidents do not take place. The onus is also placed on clubs to be seen to "effectively deal" with any incidents of unacceptable conduct. A failure to do so may also constitute a breach of league rules. Celtic condemned the display of the banners shortly after, saying they had not been approved by the club and were not welcome within the stadium. UEFA, who have different rules regarding the display of offensive banners at games under their jurisdiction, fined Celtic £42,000 following a display at the Champions League match with AC Milan last November. On the banner, unfurled before the match, images of William Wallace and Bobby Sands were shown alongside the message: "The terrorist or the dreamer? The savage or the brave? Depends whose vote you are trying to catch or whose face you're trying to save." -- Can you imagine what this will encourage them to display next? FFS, what a state.............. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 an incredible decision. though unsurprising. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEARGER 1,829 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 What a shock that is, eh? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aweebluesoandso 290 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Quelle surprise. "The league's regulations state action can be taken if a club has failed to take the necessary measures to prevent spectators from "engaging" in unacceptable conduct" Come on who are they kidding, that banner was massive and needed at least three person to carry it. So no one ask to see the banner and it's subject matter? yet some supporters at Ibrox can have their Scarves removed by stewards but a massive banner just get's the nod through, away and give us peace, "sweep sweep" "Liewells puppets" and a cover up again, or any of the usual metaphors for the corruption at the heart of our game. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barca72 440 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 The ruling bodies in our game wonder why the ordinary fan ( of any club ) has no respect for them. UUUUGGGHHH !! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC 150 Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 Quelle surprise. "The league's regulations state action can be taken if a club has failed to take the necessary measures to prevent spectators from "engaging" in unacceptable conduct" Come on who are they kidding, that banner was massive and needed at least three person to carry it. So no one ask to see the banner and it's subject matter? yet some supporters at Ibrox can have their Scarves removed by stewards but a massive banner just get's the nod through, away and give us peace, "sweep sweep" "Liewells puppets" and a cover up again, or any of the usual metaphors for the corruption at the heart of our game. Also - even if we allow the ludicrous notion it was not seen going in, why was it not taken down thereafter? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 The authorities had an opportunity here to condemn such actions by setting an appropriate precedent, but instead of backing up the offensive behavior bill with suitable punishments and deterrents for clubs, they've actually set an inappropriate precedent and practically given that lot carte blanche. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,231 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Tzar Peter did not approve of any actions against his club. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrahimHemdani 1 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) I predicted that this would be the outcome. To the best of my knowledge and belief no Club has ever been charged with such an offence far less found guilty because they can always hide behind the "reasonably practicable" defence. Going back to Mr Lennon being attacked at Tynecastle, that was why Hearts were not charged; because they had all the stewards in place that were required by the local authority. I argued very strongly against this and in favour of the UEFA rule of "absolute responsibilty" when I was a member of the JRG; but the vested interests in the SFA & the SPL prevailed. I believe that the Police were symapthetic but not sufficiently so to push the issue. Against the wishes of the Civil Servants, I brought it up at the final meeting of the JAG; and Mr McAskill said that they would revisit it if things didn't improve in future. Perhaps now is the time. Edited February 3, 2014 by BrahimHemdani typo 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,231 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Essentially, if it appears again somewhere in the Scumhut, their stewards and the police are at fault (again) ... and thus the club. BTW, be it in Scotland and in a football stadium or not, the Ministry of Defence as well as that of Justice should be made aware of this, as it is once more against current law and ruling by both country and authorities and shames the army (and their dead) and the country. And club as well as authorities do nothing against it. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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