NOTW disagree with Graeme Dott saying fitba songs 'are just banter'

[Boab 73]

On the same front page as this: http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=178965&view=findpost&p=1058765480

By James Mulholland

February 27, 2011

Snooker ace Graeme Dott last night sparked fury by calling on authorities to abandon the crackdown on sectarian songs at Old Firm matches.

The Rangers supporter dismissed the singing of anthems such as The Famine Song and The Billy Boys as "banter" that is "part of the game" and dubbed recent efforts to ban the songs as "pretty fruitless".

In his autobiography, he said: "I believe the songs are banter and should be treated as such."

But last night the former world champion's comments were blasted by Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker.

He said: "Graeme is very, very mistaken in believing these songs are just banter. People sing them to cause offence and that often causes trouble - very serious trouble.

"Graeme needs to realise that very serious crimes have been committed because of these songs, which attack people's beliefs and cultures."

Attempts to make supporters stop singing theses songs seem pretty fruitless to me

In his book, Frame Of Mind, Dott says: "Attempts to make supporters stop singing theses songs seem pretty fruitless to me.

"Arsenal fans hate Spurs fans and vice versa but you never hear anyone saying the songs they sing against each other should be banned.

"Go to an Old Firm match and, despite the best efforts of both clubs to change things, you'll hear sectarian songs, with Rangers fans making reference to William of Orange and screaming, 'F**k the Pope'.

"What any of this has to do with football I have absolutely no idea."

Dott also claims: "These attitudes are entrenched. There is a religious divide in Glasgow and it shows no sign of disappearing.

"If you are born a Protestant you support Rangers. If you're a Roman Catholic you support Celtic. Period. There is no middle ground."

His comments come a week after more than 300 people were arrested throughout Strathclyde in the hours after last Sunday's Old Firm clash.

In the worst of numerous violent incidents, 10 cops had to be taken to hospital after a mass brawl inside a bar in Thornliebank, Glasgow. In his book, published by John Blake, Dott recalls how he fell in love with Rangers after his dad took him to see them play when he was just six years old.

And he insists offensive tunes sung by some English supporters are worse than those chanted by Old Firm bigots.

Dott says Leeds fans still chant about the 1958 Munich air disaster that claimed the lives of eight Manchester United stars.

He writes: "I first went to Ibrox at six. I loved the atmosphere, passion and excitement when Rangers scored.

They're singing about the deaths of innocent people in a plane crash

"If I am being honest, I probably also enjoyed all the singing and chanting, but only because I didn't understand what any of it meant.

"Yes, the songs are sectarian but the reason fans sing them is because they know the opposition don't like it. They are part of the game.

"Some of the stuff Leeds United fans sing about Manchester United are a lot worse than what Rangers supporters sing about Celtic.

"They're singing about the deaths of innocent people in a plane crash."

Dott also reveals how his dad John vowed never to go to another Rangers game after the club's then manager Graeme Souness signed Mo Johnston in July 1989.

He recalls in his book: "My father said, 'That is a disgrace.' Johnston, you see, was not only a Catholic, but had played for the dreaded Celtic.

"Dad did eventually swallow his pride and return to Ibrox but many others in those dark ages did not.

"I was just delighted that Rangers had signed a great striker."

Dad-of-two Dott also reveals he feared he was going to be killed by Celtic fans after an Old Firm clash.

The trouble came as he left Parkhead in August 2000 after watching his team lose 6-2 to the Hoops.

He writes: "I saw a Celtic supporter punch a Rangers fan in the face and break his nose.

"Everywhere around us men were fighting each other while policemen on horses were riding into them and trying to break it up. It was like something out of a horror film."

"The guys I was with were loving it and shouting, 'F*** the Pope

In a bid to find safety, Dott joined a small group of Rangers fans - but they then goaded their rivals with offensive chants. He recalls: "There were only 10 of us, but still these idiots were singing. Next thing we knew, coins were raining down on us and people were spitting at us.

"I saw thousands of Celtic fans to the right and thousands more to the left. I thought my number was up.

"The guys I was with were loving it and shouting, 'F*** the Pope'.

"The Celtic fans started charging at us and I thought, 'That's it. I'm dead'. Then, from out of nowhere, two mounted police appeared.

"I was as scared as I've ever been in my life. I only felt safe when I arrived at the Louden Tavern - a Rangers supporters' pub in a blue building that is emblazoned with the slogan 'We Are The People'.

Graeme Dott with his World Snooker Championship cup at the Crucible Dott...Winning trophy

"I never have been back to Celtic Park and I never will." Last night Dott was blasted by a top lawyer. Paul McBride QC said: "A recurring feature in Scottish courts is the number of young men accused of crimes such as serious assault, murder or attempted murder because of a sectarian component.

"Nine times out of 10 the incident developed because someone started singing a rebel or Loyalist song.

"It's an extremely depressing trend. So Mr Dott is mistaken in saying these songs are just banter.

"Sadly, for many people they are a matter of life and death."

And a Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "Sectarian and racist behaviour is a significant motivation in many crimes. That's why we are fully committed to taking action against those who participate in racist or sectarian singing." After winning the Snooker World Championship in 2006, Dott showed off his trophy to cheering Gers fans.

But he only appeared at Ibrox after insisting that the tournament sponsors' green ribbons were first swapped for blue and red ones.

In his book, Dott also reveals he plunged into depression after the death of Alex Lambie, his father-in- law and long-time mentor.

His despair deepened after his wife Elaine, 28, had a cancer scare and then miscarried weeks later.

Dott writes: "The summer of 2007 was the most difficult of my life. There were days when I could barely function and I vividly recall fantasising about the different ways it would be possible to end my life.

"I never seriously thought about pushing ahead with any of them, but something was seriously wrong."

His life turned round after he was diagnosed with depression and received counselling and medication.

Last night, speaking at his plush home in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, Dott stood by his controversial views.

He said: "I think many Celtic and Rangers fans would agree with me.

"Songs like The Sash and Soldier Song are the products of historical events. But do you think clowns sing them to celebrate UK democracy or the setting up of the Irish state?

"Of course not. They sing them to get a reaction from the other side.

"I don't think you can do too much to change the situation."

Dott added: "I don't want people to think I'm a bigot - I'm not.

"I dislike the clowns who use the Old Firm to cause trouble. I don't want anything to do with them."

IMO, at times he across he comes across as an idiot but was also right at times too.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/notw/nol_scottish/nol_scottish_news/1232610/Snooker-ace-Graeme-Dott-sparks-fury-by-calling-for-authorities-to-abandon-crackdown.html

[Govan Front Antz 15]

Read this article this morning.

I thought he raised some valid points.

[MasterD 7,457]

CBA reading all that but i agree with this part

In his autobiography, he said: "I believe the songs are banter and should be treated as such."

[Jelle1880 610]

Fuck the pope

[Dennis 1,011]

It is pretty much how most Football fans feel.

[gunslinger 270]

perhaps mcbride should realise if these songs werent demonised and were just seen as the banter they are then there would be less trouble.

[impotent sex addict 0]

McBride claimed he's seen murders due to it?

Really McBride? Care to point out which trial you appeared as an eye witness?

[Mike Newells Sexist Army 2]

Surely the more pressing issue is why the fuck is a front-bench Labour politician taking the time to comment on the opinions a far from high profile snooker player has expressed in a biography?

Not a huge fan of Dott, but i don't see anything wrong with what he says there.

[BolloBollo 36]

I think everyone should publicly coming out with statements like GD's. We all know Celtic fans have got us in this pathetic state with they're hypocrital offence and balance needs restored. There's worse things going on in Scotland than signing songs but theyre harder to solve!

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

And still society segregates children at five years of age on religious grounds - the connection is staring everyone in the face.

[FlippinEck 3,838]

Knives/guns dont kill people, songs do...

[Ayrshire_blue 0]

Are scottish catholics only abused when their ears pick up the likes of the Sash??.

Maybe McBride should visit ROI ,where young Irish catholics were fondled & raped

by Roman Catholic priests.

`Strangeley' the rape of Irish catholic children by his church has never been brought up by Paul McBride.