UEFA have set tone for Rangers, time for SFA and SPFL to follow suit

[OceanRain 2,845]

Alison McConnell: UEFA have set tone for Rangers, time for SFA and SPFL to follow suit

IN its haste to announce UEFA’s sanction against Rangers yesterday afternoon one website reported that the Ibrox side were being penalised for their ‘signing’ as opposed to ‘singing’. Maybe UEFA were late to the party after all.

But if Catholic players putting on a Rangers jersey has become something so entirely unremarkable as to pass without comment then the tentacles of that old policy are far harder to control. Coming into line with the real world is one thing but overhauling a shift in entrenched culture would appear a far tougher ask.

If ever there was an indication of the curious dichotomy that goes on within the Ibrox club it might lie in the sight of Jermaine Defoe and Joe Aribo blessing themselves while a ditty of “F*** the Pope and The Vatican” echoes round about them.

The club’s recent inclusivity campaign of ‘Everyone Anyone’ is to be lauded. Whatever the criticisms of the historic decisions of Rangers, a tangible quest to distance themselves from a perceived identity can only be encouraged. Similarly, the tone of yesterday’s statement that announced the news of the removal of 3000 home fans for a crucial Europa League play-off was unequivocally strong in its condemnation of those responsible.

Dave King, the Rangers chairman, apologised to Steve Clarke after he was abused at Ibrox last season when Kilmarnock manager. Embarrassed at the nature of what was directed at the now Scotland manager King, to his credit, was eager to make his feelings public on the matter.

Yet, on the one hand the club cannot urge the support to shed its skin in such matters while also playing up to that element by taking a decision to turn out in lurid orange shirts. The most recent league games at Ibrox between Rangers and celtic have been odious; all four stands within the stadium have had the full party songbook cranked up loud and clear. You can bet your mortgage on more of the same next weekend.

Which is where UEFA have shown the way. Scotland has wrung hands and clutched pearls when it has come to discussions of sectarianism. The governing body has passed the buck and effectively sat on its hands particularly in recent seasons when it has become more prevalent.

Arguments over strict liability have become as stale as an old piece of gum such are the repeated nature of its chewed over pros and cons. But if there is a standard of behaviour in Europe then why should it not apply in Scotland?

It seems absurd to contemplate that it was only in the late 1980s that former Rangers striker Mark Walters had bananas thrown at him when he first experienced an Old Firm game. Speaking on the 20th anniversary of that day, Walters remarked the only reason why culture had changed was, depressingly, not because people had understood the gravitas and ridiculousness of their views but rather the prevalence of CCTV had made people afraid of being caught.

His own philosophy on the matter was that if enlightenment cannot come then enforcement should.

It will be interesting to see now where things go with the Rangers support on Thursday night. UEFA will have no qualms in hammering the club with a stadium closure should there be any reporting from the observing delegate of the Famine Song or anything else that is viewed to be sectarian or racist in nature.

Rangers have given themselves more than a fighting chance of making it into the group stages of the Europa League for the season successive season. The balance of their second-leg play-off tie against Legia Warsaw is tipped in their favour after what has been an impressive qualification campaign. The chances are that the very real threat of being shut out their own stadium will be sufficient to bring forth a different songbook.

So if change can be forced upon people then is this not something that could and should be replicated in a domestic sense?

As a club Rangers have asked for a change in the behaviour of their support. They have requested a cessation of songs that have become cringeworthy to most observers.

At some point there is a stage when as a club you have to accept that you can request, instruct, demand but ultimately there are few places to go if your words fall on deaf ears.

Seismic changes in culture are difficult but they are possible; it is little over a decade ago that a smoking ban was implemented in the UK in pubs and restaurants. Lighting up now in shared space would be unthinkable.

Ditto driving a car without wearing a seatbelt or getting behind the wheel after a quick couple of pints.

Time can make things that were once routine seem preposterous. Scotland’s footballing bodies at some stage are going to have to take a look at how to make that happen.

 

https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17858315.alison-mcconnell-uefa-set-tone-Rangers-time-sfa-spfl-follow-suit/

[BridgeIsBlue 66,606]

Selectarianism. 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

Well that was written by one bitter Fenian cunt. 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

Another blinkered fool that can’t tell the difference between a Fenian cunt and a simple catholic just wanting to practice their faith. 

If only we lived in an open minded forward thinking country. 

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

Wonder what they’ll all be writing about next week.

[RangersMedia 35,961]

I honestly don’t remember hearing The Famine Song being sung at Ibrox in years, maybe I’m mistaken but what a random thing to throw in

It’s also a complete minority who shout “fuck the pope and the IRA” 

the songs that get sung regularly these days that I think UEFA have issues with (but, again, until the club finds out nobody can be sure) are the one about being the volunteers of the UVF, super Rangers and TBB occasionally 

[SeparateEntityMyArse 53,715]

8 minutes ago, BridgeIsBlue said:

Selectarianism. 

What he said.

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

1 minute ago, Courtyard Bear said:

Another blinkered fool that can’t tell the difference between a Fenian cunt and a simple catholic just wanting to practice their faith. 

If only we lived in an open minded forward thinking country. 

It’s been said many times mate, they turned the meaning of the word Fenian into something it wasn’t 

 

[SeparateEntityMyArse 53,715]

1 minute ago, ritchieshearercaldow said:

Wonder what they’ll all be writing about next week.

Masonic referees and cheating, dirty, diving Rangers players in the run up til Sunday I'd have thought. 

Plenty highlighting of red card incidents involving Morelos and Kent. And questioning decisions which didnt see cards for our players.

[Goianegra 4,682]

The only mention of them is highlighting how certain it is they poor souls will have to hear our "odious" songs next weekend. 

All while they hang up their banners proclaiming to be proud fenians...

[gogzy 31,195]

You would think we are the only club in Scotland with issues the way that article is written.

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

Just now, gogzy said:

You would think we are the only club in Scotland with issues the way that article is written.

Hearts can be just as bad I believe but then they’re not in Europe.

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

1 minute ago, ritchieshearercaldow said:

It’s been said many times mate, they turned the meaning of the word Fenian into something it wasn’t 

 

Agreed, it used to mean Republican Solider, now it means IRA terrorist/supporter and apologist of child rape. 

Strangely with nothing to do with us. 

[GA1972 9,555]

No mention of who it was that threw the bananas at Mark Walters, funny that 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

1 minute ago, GA1972 said:

No mention of who it was that threw the bananas at Mark Walters, funny that 

Reading that you would think it was us that threw the bananas at our own player. 

[Moody Blue Legend 61,461]

ROLL UP, ROLL UP, EVERYBODY HAVE A BOOT......

[TMB 14,167]

There's no strict liability in Scotland so the SFA and SPFL wont be doing anything.  Nor will the clubs themselves be voting in favour of strict liability anytime soon.  It's a nonsense article.

[GA1972 9,555]

Just now, Courtyard Bear said:

Reading that you would think it was us that threw the bananas at our own player. 

That’s what it’s designed to do, we’re racists now remember and apparently we hate our own players for blessing themselves

Myths written as if they’re truths as per 

[SkylineBlue 23,327]

10 minutes ago, psb07158 said:

I honestly don’t remember hearing The Famine Song being sung at Ibrox in years, maybe I’m mistaken but what a random thing to throw in

It’s also a complete minority who shout “fuck the pope and the IRA” 

the songs that get sung regularly these days that I think UEFA have issues with (but, again, until the club finds out nobody can be sure) are the one about being the volunteers of the UVF, super Rangers and TBB occasionally 

I couldn't tell you the last time I heard the famine song and, as you say, those who shout "fuck the pope" etc would total 2 - 3% of the stadium at a push in my estimation. 

 

The overriding thing for fans here is that if they want to tackle hypocrisy that's commendable, but you need to be smart whilst you're doing it. 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

1 minute ago, GA1972 said:

That’s what it’s designed to do, we’re racists now remember and apparently we hate our own players for blessing themselves

Myths written as if they’re truths as per 

Fenian playbook Rule 1 tell a lie often enough it becomes fact. 

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

3 minutes ago, Courtyard Bear said:

Agreed, it used to mean Republican Solider, now it means IRA terrorist/supporter and apologist of child rape. 

Strangely with nothing to do with us. 

Republican soldiers who had Protestants in their ranks.

Billy Fullerton who’s mother was a pape, his wife a pape but hated papes 

[1690tamRFC 5,001]

5 minutes ago, Courtyard Bear said:

Reading that you would think it was us that threw the bananas at our own player. 

I was just about to say the same thing mate. 

[Thermopylae 15,286]

This is the annoying thing if we had kept it for the domestic games everything would have been fine ... Europe is majority catholic and these songs will always be seen differently there  and it just takes timothy to keep pointing for there to be a problem

[Thermopylae 15,286]

6 minutes ago, ritchieshearercaldow said:

Republican soldiers who had Protestants in their ranks.

Billy Fullerton who’s mother was a pape, his wife a pape but hated papes 

Obviously a big love hate thing with wimmin going on 

[SuperLeeMcCulloch 2,330]

17 minutes ago, psb07158 said:

I honestly don’t remember hearing The Famine Song being sung at Ibrox in years, maybe I’m mistaken but what a random thing to throw in

It’s also a complete minority who shout “fuck the pope and the IRA” 

the songs that get sung regularly these days that I think UEFA have issues with (but, again, until the club finds out nobody can be sure) are the one about being the volunteers of the UVF, super Rangers and TBB occasionally 

Its an absolute myth, 4 lads had a dream is the same tune to it but to think its the same lyrics shows how blinded she is with hatred.