So, UEFA banned "The Billy Boys" did they?

[bluepeter 5,627]

So, we are always told that we cannot sing The Billy Boys at any games because UEFA have banned it. Absolute worst case, they can discipline us for singing it in UEFA competitions, they cannot touch us for singing it in domestic competitions. This example from Russia shows what I mean:

Fifa & Uefa powerless to act on racist Russian flag

By John Sinnott

Fifa and Uefa say they cannot take action against the Russian Football Union's failure to punish Lokomotiv Moscow for displaying racist banners.

Lokomotiv Moscow fans celebrated Peter Odemwingie's sale in the transfer window with a banner showing a banana and the message: "Thanks West Brom".

But both Fifa and Uefa have released statements to BBC Sport saying that they do not have any authority to act.

"Only the competition organiser can issue sanctions," said Fifa.

The Russian Football Union's (RFU) disciplinary body held a board meeting on 25 August, but opted not to fine Lokomotiv and the Russian Football Union's director general Alexei Sorokin insisted that the banana banner was not "racist".

"If it was a League match, the Russian FA would be responsible, and if it was a Uefa competition match, Uefa would be responsible," added the Fifa statement.

Uefa issued a statement saying: "This issue does not come under Uefa's jurisdiction, since it is, of course, up to the national associations to regulate and run their domestic leagues, including disciplinary matters."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9027968.stm

Unless I've missed it, the SFA/SPL have never threatened us with sanctions or banned us from singing The Billy Boys, so can we put that rumour to bed now?

[ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895]

So, we are always told that we cannot sing The Billy Boys at any games because UEFA have banned it. Absolute worst case, they can discipline us for singing it in UEFA competitions, they cannot touch us for singing it in domestic competitions. This example from Russia shows what I mean:

http://news.bbc.co.u...ope/9027968.stm

Unless I've missed it, the SFA/SPL have never threatened us with sanctions or banned us from singing The Billy Boys, so can we put that rumour to bed now?

we know. it's only cunts that are scared to sing that come up with this excuse.

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

That's always been the case

The club don't want it sung though and i guess that's the bottom line.

Why do you think all the bad boys only sing it at away games.....

[broxibear87 129]

Reading between the lines that says to me that we can't sing it in the champ league games as UEFA are the tournament organizers. Let them try and fucking stop us!

[bluepeter 5,627]

That's always been the case

The club don't want it sung though and i guess that's the bottom line.

Why do you think all the bad boys only sing it at away games.....

I've not heard anything from the club on the subject for a long time, now you come to mention it...

In fact, since the last word from the club on it, I've heard it sung at Ibrox several times with no comment from the club. I can only assume they've had a change of heart.

[bluepeter 5,627]

Reading between the lines that says to me that we can't sing it in the champ league games as UEFA are the tournament organizers. Let them try and fucking stop us!

Reading between the lines tells me UEFA could sanction us if they wanted. I doubt if they would, to be honest, they'd be opening a big can of worms considering the songs other supports routinely sing.

[adam2102 558]

we already knew this. its the club thats banning it for the most part!

[bluenose4life 5]

been many threads on this

[bluepeter 5,627]

we already knew this. its the club thats banning it for the most part!

Well, most of us did. Hopefully those who didn't will read this and accept it also

Maybe, if the club also accepted it, they would stop 'banning it,' if indeed they haven't already. As I posted before, they've not had anything to say about it the last few times it's been sung at Ibrox...

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

I've not heard anything from the club on the subject for a long time, now you come to mention it...

In fact, since the last word from the club on it, I've heard it sung at Ibrox several times with no comment from the club. I can only assume they've had a change of heart.

They haven't....

[bluepeter 5,627]

They haven't....

They have.....

[thebooler 4,509]

It's taking a while, but slowly, the support will begin to realise that nobody can stop the singing of TBB..................................except.........................................US.

[BlueIsTheColour 35]

The club don't want it sung. Our group and the UBs have already been threatened this season for starting it at Ibrox and have been told that Police will just start removing fans indiscriminately if the song continues to be sung in either section.

It's all well and good saying "just sing it, they can't touch us", but when you are part of one of the groups you're going to be the first to be targetted and dragged out. They'll just slap a breach of the peace on you and you virtually never escape that charge. That's why it is more important than ever that the support is united and looks out for each other on a matchday.

There are too many fans who would see another Bear get into bother and either sit and do nothing or help the stewards. Of course, at away games it is a different mentality entirely.

[bombaybadboy08 15,660]

To be fair a lot of folk on here did state that we would get the club into trouble if we sang the Billy Boys and face point deductions in the SPL etc.

Whether they will now hold their hands up is another thing.

Good find

[caseyjones 3,009]

UEFA didn't publish anything that I have seen which explicitly stated that TBB was banned. That only came from Murray. The song has since been heard at both home and away, including CL games and there has been nothing coming from any of the ruling bodies.

[Jelle1880 215]

That's always been the case

The club don't want it sung though and i guess that's the bottom line.

Why do you think all the bad boys only sing it at away games.....

that's odd, I'm sure I've heard it at some home games

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

They have.....

NO THEY HAVNUE.....

[bluepeter 5,627]

NO THEY HAVNUE.....

AYE THEY HUV!

Well, this is fun...

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

AYE THEY HUV!

Well, this is fun...

One of the more constructive debates on this subject......

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

I dont think UEFA want to re-open that particular can of worms.

[thebooler 4,509]

The club don't want it sung. Our group and the UBs have already been threatened this season for starting it at Ibrox and have been told that Police will just start removing fans indiscriminately if the song continues to be sung in either section.

It's all well and good saying "just sing it, they can't touch us", but when you are part of one of the groups you're going to be the first to be targetted and dragged out. They'll just slap a breach of the peace on you and you virtually never escape that charge. That's why it is more important than ever that the support is united and looks out for each other on a matchday.

There are too many fans who would see another Bear get into bother and either sit and do nothing or help the stewards. Of course, at away games it is a different mentality entirely.

Care to tell us who exactly threatened you guys, and what kind of a threat was it?

[rossDas 1,071]

I dont think UEFA want to re-open that particular can of worms.

I don't think that they ever wanted to touch it in the first place. The fine came about as a result of a clearly biased one-man campaign by a Catholic delegate. Considering UEFA admitted that the song was internal to Scottish society and not in fact sectarian/religiously motivated, it's reasonable to conclude that the delegate only succeeded in forcing the matter due to a lack of opposition from us.

[McInnes87 18]

We know UEFA have no juristiction over domestic football, The Billy Boys can be sung loudly and proudly, It's up to the support to make a stand and save our song.

I have no doubt TBB will be back with avengence against Man Utd at Ibrox, the great offended will complain, but i cannot see Uefa wanting to touch the subject again, remember it was initialy thrown out but over turned on appeal..

.. this time round we have the celtic fans themselves belting out with pride about being a F*nian army - should be an interesting argument!

[covenanter 158]

So, we are always told that we cannot sing The Billy Boys at any games because UEFA have banned it. Absolute worst case, they can discipline us for singing it in UEFA competitions, they cannot touch us for singing it in domestic competitions. This example from Russia shows what I mean:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9027968.stm

Unless I've missed it, the SFA/SPL have never threatened us with sanctions or banned us from singing The Billy Boys, so can we put that rumour to bed now?

At the risk of emmulating Father Ted, "Careful Now".

Reference SPL sanctions, the club was subject to an official report by the official SPL Observer at Inverness on the opening game of season'07/08.

The game finished in a 3-0 victory for Rangers but the gloss of a more than decent performance was quickly dulled as BBC Radio Scotland confirmed the SPL Observer, Alan Dick was including the sectarian chanting of a minority of the travelling Rangers support.

During John Barnes radio commentary of the game in the first half, he informed the listenership that his Producer had received numerous communications complaining about the singing of an element of the Rangers support. A few minutes later, Barnes then stated an assurance that their track-side reporter would be dispatched to locate the SPL Observer, and ENSURE he included the chanting in his official report. I should point out, BBC Radio Scotland have NEVER issued such an assurance, either before or after this game, despite other clubs' supports indulging in both offensive/sectarian chanting.

A month or so later, Rangers were officially warned as to their future behaviour by the SPL. Further, the club was reminded of the SPL's three strikes policy on sectarian chanting. A fine and points deduction were the further sanctions. Alan Dick confirmed the offensive song concerned was the Billy Boys.

Now, a month or so later again, ra Sellik visited Tynecastle and over ninety minutes ran through the entire cannon of the Irish republican songsheet, lionising the IRA. BBC Radio Scotland did not mention the chanting but other broadcast and print media journos did. The official SPL Observer at the game was former Sellik player and Coach, Andy Ritchie. He was located by the concerned parties in the media and asked if he would include the chanting in his report. He refused to answer the question but did admit, "the Celtic support sang a few old Irish songs". BBC Radio Scotland would not take a call on the matter, it is believed the Producer at Tynecastle was the same as at Inverness, although the commentator was David Beggs this time.

[Jimenez 1]

That's always been the case

The club don't want it sung though and i guess that's the bottom line.

Why do you think all the bad boys only sing it at away games.....

The Rangers support only ever sing loyalist and rangers songs at away games.

Quite a flimsy argument.