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Reply From Michael Mcmahon Msp Re Racist Songs


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Michael McMahon msp complained to the police that the dons fans were singing racist songs v Celtic

Never said anything about the celtic fans booing of shay

 

This was his reply when i complained

 

Thank you for your message. The songs I was referring to which were sung by Aberdeen fans in the match against Celtic on Sunday 1st March are "What time is your ferry home?" and "You're in the wrong f***ing country". These were clearly aimed at the Irish ethnicity of many in the Celtic support and as such constitute anti-Irish racism. I have been dealing with this type of chanting for some time and have raised it with anti-racist organisations such as Nil By Mouth, Show Racism the Red Card and BEMIS and know that these organisations recognise these, and similar chants, as examples of anti-Irish racism. No one would dare to chant something similar to the Pakistani or any other ethnic minority community in Scotland so I will not stay silent when it is directed at the Irish. I would like to make it clear that I am not calling for any action to be taken against Aberdeen fans. I am utterly opposed to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act and do not believe that we can legislate, arrest and criminalise our way out of getting football fans to stop sectarian and racist chanting. What we can do, however, is challenge and educate people into understanding why some songs they sing are beyond the pale. In dealing with the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, Scottish Football authorities and other agencies my concern is that the problems of sectarianism and racism in Scotland are too easily laid at the door of football and in particular Rangers and Celtic. These are wider societal problems and have to be dealt with as such. While there is no doubt that both of these clubs have a major responsibility in this matter I believe that there is a lack of even handedness when it comes to scrutinising and tackling these issues when they are exhibited by fans of other football clubs. The treatment of Shay Logan during that recent match by some of my fellow Celtic fans was outrageous and embarrassing. To treat a victim of racism in that manner was inexcusable and I have raised this with representatives of Celtic supporters' organisations. The point I am making is that Celtic fans were also subjected to racism and an even handed assessment of this problem is needed. I enjoy nothing better on occasion than opposition fans taunting one another and I do not wish for football to become sanitised. However, I understand fully the difference between banter and outright racism and what I heard that Sunday from both sets of fans was not banter. I hope this response helps clarify my position in this matter. Kind Regards Michael McMahon MSP

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/currentmsps/28279.aspx(LABOUR)

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Maybe he would also like to comment that a black Aberdeen player who reported racist abuse while play Celtic and whose complaint was upheld by the SFA was targeted and subjected to constant booing and abuse from a sizeable number of the home support,

He does mention that.

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Can the fat mess prove that the chants were aimed at Irish fans in particular, rather than aimed at a set of supporters who, though Scottish, associate themselves more closesly with Ireland via their Irish Rebel Songs and routine displaying of the Tricolour rather than the Saltire?

 

Because if he can't then he can shut his fat mess of a fucking mouth.

 

So that's what I think.

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