AT some point this week Channel 4 News will broadcast Alex Thomson’s report into historical child abuse in Scottish football. He has twice used images of Celtic Park to promote his investigation, but at least by his second tweet he had accepted that this was a problem across the game in Scotland – including of course at Ibrox – and not just a Celtic issue.
The Rangers support have of course developed an unsavoury fascination with any abuse that involved Celtic Boys Club but ignore any similar allegations made against their old club.
And when any victims have approached the current Ibrox club they have been pointed in the direction of the old club’s liquidator.
Rangers abuse claim victim told to contact liquidators for compensation https://t.co/GV1Z4d4ScN
— BBC Sportsound (@BBCSportsound) May 16, 2018
The Celtic Star has an interview with a victim of child abuse within football and the gentleman concerned – a victim – has asked us not to publish until Channel 4 broadcast their story. Obviously we are happy to agree to his request.
What we can tell you at the moment is this victim of child abuse within football (not Celtic Boys Club) is actually a Rangers supporter and he has plenty to say about the sick, disgraceful chants that primarily but not exclusively come from his fellow Rangers supporters.
Famous for its noise. Now infamous for its silence. Is Scottish football dealing with its past paedophile rings generally? Is Celtic FC particularly? Special investigation with new evidence now being edited for @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/xXRtzrnXjI
— alex thomson (@alextomo) February 22, 2020
Celtic played Aberdeen up at Pittodrie earlier this month. Before the game the Aberdeen FC stadium announcer read out the following statement:
“The Scottish Professional Football League has instigated an initiative on UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT. This initiative makes it the responsibility of the club regarding the conduct of their supporters at both home and away games.
“The list of offences is extensive but includes disorderly conduct, damage to the fabric of a stadium, using threatening or abusive words towards any group or gender. Colour or race, nationality, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. Transgender identity or disability.
“Also included are chants or songs of a racist, sectarian or of a grossly offensive nature and using words, conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an
organisation proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000’.
“There is no list of banned songs or chants but the Match Commander, SPFL Delegate, referee or the opposition club may report any of the above.
“Sanctions against the club can mean an official warning, a fine, ordering the game to be replayed or as a last resort the loss of points. We would ask fans to be mindful of this initiative as the club will take strong action against any supporter who brings the club into disrepute including a total ban from Pittodrie Stadium.
“Fans are reminded that Pittodrie Stadium has a strict No Smoking Policy. We kindly ask all supporters not to stand in the seated areas in the stadium during play.”
This is from the SPFL’s Unacceptable Conduct Policy Statement and as you will have noticed, it pays particular attention to Celtic’s Irish identity, that specifically, “indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000.”
Someone has added that in. Maybe a club. Maybe someone at the SPFL. It doesn’t really matter. The statement above came directly from Aberdeen FC today, after we asked Celtic FC’s Supporter Liaison Officer John Paul Taylor if he could get a copy of the exact wording for us.
At Pittodrie, listening to this it seemed strange that the above statement was so detailed, specifically targeting Celtic’s Irish heritage, but completely ignored another issue – the one the Rangers supporting victim of child abuse in football – finds so distasteful, hurtful, maybe even harmful.
If the SPFL need any assistance in amending their Unacceptable Conduct Statement, we are happy to help. We would like their statement to specifically mention chanting about child or sexual abuse, amending their official policy statement to as follows:
“……and/or abusive language, including allegations, statements or chants relating to child or sexual abuse, racial, sectarian…”
Of course the clubs will have to agree to this, we understand that. Celtic FC have already indicated to The Celtic Star today that they are happy to support this sort of change. We will now contact all the clubs in the Premiership to see if they will support this amendment to the SPFL’s Unacceptable Conduct Statement, and we will keep you updated regarding each club’s response.
The Rangers supporter, whose story we will tell later this week, deserves to be able to go to the football and watch his team without these disgusting, depraved chants occurring. And while these sick chants might not be eradicated, the SPFL in their Unacceptable Conduct Statement can at the very least, assure him before the game that such chants are entirely unacceptable in Scottish football.
If the SPFL are serious about having an Unacceptable Conduct at football policy then they cannot reasonably fail to mention chants about child or sexual abuse nor can they fail to act when such an omission is pointed out to them by paying customers.
