Another politician speaks out on IRA chants and SPL inaction

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Politician slams SPL over sectarianism

SPL chairman Lex Gold has been accused of "shying away" from dealing with alleged pro-IRA chanting by sections of the Celtic support

Northern Ireland Assembly member Jimmy Spratt, a unionist politician, wrote to Gold to express his "disgust" after claiming to have heard sectarian chants from Celtic fans during their Scottish Premier League win at Hearts.

The South Belfast DUP MLA was far from satisfied with the response he received, though he did not reveal details of the correspondence.

He said: "I am considerably underwhelmed at how the SPL intend to deal with this specific example of sectarianism in football.

"While I appreciate that the SPL have certain rules designed to address unacceptable conduct, and welcome that being the case, the fact that Mr Gold chooses to shy away from dealing with this specific matter of pro-IRA chanting is regrettable."

Spratt, who has now raised the matter with First Minister Alex Salmond, believes there should be the same level of outcry about pro-IRA chanting as there has been about Rangers fans taunting Celtic about their Irish heritage.

He said: "In recent weeks, much has been made in the media and by the authorities surrounding the so called 'Famine Song'.

"Surely the media and authorities should be making specific reference to pro-IRA chanting, as in essence it is the glorification of a terrorist organisation who murdered over 1,800 people in the course of a campaign which had sectarianism at its very core.

"By refraining from doing so, certain sections of the media, and authorities, only deepen the suspicion held by many that pro-IRA chanting by Celtic supporters is a taboo subject to which a blind eye is repeatedly turned.

"I condemn any form of sectarian singing, regardless of who it emanates from. What is clear though is that there is a continuing problem with sectarianism among Glasgow Celtic supporters who glorify the IRA through chants and songs.

"Due to the seriousness of the problem, I have pressed Mr Gold to outline specific action he intends to take to highlight this particular problem, and have again raised it with the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

"It is time for real action on this matter and I would urge those in positions of authority to make clear it will not be tolerated."

The SPL confirmed they were aware of Spratt's concerns and would respond privately, though they are believed to feel his criticism is wide of the mark

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...529635,00.html#

Good man, Jimmy Spratt!

[BCLoyal9 53]

Glad to see this issue being pursued - one wonders why there are none on this side of the water who will take the matter up aswell.

Hats off to Jimmy though!

[ShootSpeedKillLight 0]

Good news, except for the sentece 'The SPL confirmed they were aware of Spratt's concerns and would respond privately, though they are believed to feel his criticism is wide of the mark'. In other words, they're going to continue to ignore the problem.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Glad to see this issue being pursued - one wonders why there are none on this side of the water who will take the matter up aswell.

Hats off to Jimmy though!

They possibly recall the troubles that Dallas and McCurry have had to endure.

Nonetheless, they should speak out.

Where were you this afternoon, that you were sitting so close to such a camp fellow?

[dummiesoot 16,005]

SPl are shitbags, end of.

[BCLoyal9 53]

Oleg - I was in Hillhead library (not a massage parlour or gay bar as some may have surmised!) and noticed him when I logged onto a terminal computer upstairs.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Oleg - I was in Hillhead library (not a massage parlour or gay bar as some may have surmised!) and noticed him when I logged onto a terminal computer upstairs.

I still owe them an audio cassette from 1994.

[BCLoyal9 53]

Oleg - I was in Hillhead library (not a massage parlour or gay bar as some may have surmised!) and noticed him when I logged onto a terminal computer upstairs.

I still owe them an audio cassette from 1994.

Nice one Get it up them thats what I say. Got the card just so that I could use their Net but I may well have other uses...

Also gave a fake address so a couple of DVDs and books may well be re-homed by the time I up sticks again!

[*Manticore* 1,893]

And also comments on the issue from Scottish Politicians:

.

[CooperSF 5,792]

Excellent that someone has brought up the scum's problem but as ever nothing is going to happen :computers:

[JohnGalbraith 0]

Glad to see this issue being pursued - one wonders why there are none on this side of the water who will take the matter up aswell.

Hats off to Jimmy though!

The tims thought the same thing about the famine song aswell.