Regan, Stokes and Media Double Standards
November 11, 2011 93 Comments
It’s been an interesting week. There have been several instances of distasteful behaviour from those involved in the Scottish game but it seems only one of them was deemed significant enough to be reported by the esteemed Scottish media.
The one you will all have heard about, because the media did report it, was the arrest and subsequent charging of Rangers’ young goalkeeper Grant Adam. The case is the subject of a future court hearing but despite this, and the fact that young Adam has plead not guilty to a charge of sectarian breach of the peace, he has been hung, drawn and quartered by the Scottish media and dropped from the Scotland Under 21 squad by a SFA so terrified of negative publicity that they act before any guilt has been established.
The ones you probably won’t have heard about involved the Celtic striker Anthony Stokes and the SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan.
Let’s take Mr Stokes first. This young man’s father has quite a bit of previous with the authorities in Dublin. He has been arrested for firearms related offences (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/04/08/celtic-player-anthony-stokes-s-father-arrested-on-firearms-allegation-ahead-of-queen-s-visit-to-ireland-86908-23046838/) and also put up banners outside his pub, The Players Lounge, protesting against the Queen’s visit to the Republic of Ireland (http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3463003/Celts-bar-stages-anti-queen-demo.html). Seems like a nice guy. Anthony is a shareholder in this pub which takes great pride in promoting Irish Republican terrorism.
This week, on Twitter, Anthony Stokes has been promoting a band which has made an album of IRA songs. Indeed according to his tweets he was in the studio with them recording their tracks. Good way to spend your time off? Now,I would have thought that news of a full international and regular Celtic first team player being involved in making an Irish Republican band album would have been news in these days of heightened media scrutiny for all things sectarian, but apparently not.
It seems that a young boy allegedly being sectarian is more newsworthy than a significantly more high profile player promoting terrorists. Mr Stokes has now removed the offending tweet. It seems he understood it was something he shouldn’t have let slip. The question is why the media were not interested? They were provided with lots of complaints and proof in the form of photographs and screenshots and yet chose to ignore the incident.
So we then move on to Mr Regan. Not content with his abject failure to defend the right of Scotland players to wear a poppy on their shirt during their international with Cyprus, it now seems that Mr Regan finds it a source of amusement that the country takes time out on this day to remember the brave men and women of our armed forces who have fought to give us the freedom we take for granted. Now I am not a ‘poppy facist’ as some in the media like to call those of us who take our responsibility to support our armed forces seriously. If people don’t want to wear a poppy then that’s their choice. However is it necessary for those people to make jokes about those who do? Or indeed politicise the whole event and go to lengths to offend those who take the day seriously?
Mr Regan decided to tweet a ‘joke’ about this day. The same type of ‘joke’ that saw Hugh Dallas sacked from the SFA. Does anyone think Regan will go the same way? Will there be a huge outcry about his ‘joke’? I suspect not. I’m sure Mr Regan didn’t mean to offend and is merely guilty of gross stupidity, but does anyone really believe that Hugh Dallas meant to offend? The only difference here will be that Mr Regan won’t have to worry about a media who only seem interested in being selectively offended.
About Chris Graham
Chris, I agree the media operate a double standrads policy and only jump on items that they think will sell papers to the baying masses of both hues who only want to see sensationalist type ‘journalism’
Where I think you are slightly off the mark is that Grant Adam has been charged for an alleged sectarian offence which, like it or not, in our country today is an actual offence. He will have his day in court and hopefully the media scrum will report factually and without predudice, on what the case throws up. I suspect this one may fizzle out, albeit mud tends to stick so he may be tainted by some for evermore ! Shame considering how young he is, hopefully his career will be ok.
Anthony Stokes has, strictly speaking, not broken any laws that I think exist here or in Ireland. (I dont know where the recording sessions were held ). If he can be charged with anything it is being stupid supporting old IRA sympathies and songs. He could have been more sensitive to the views and media goldfish bowl of Glasgow in regards to his participation (ala your blog) but then again maybe he just dont care ! Sad but true
Your views on his father, albeit probabaly factual, to me are redundant. If my father is a murderer does that mean that I too will become one ? I know the analogy is a tad extreme but his fathers actions dont really come into this I suggest. We all have free choice to follow our own road, we can be influenced along the way but I still feel this section of your blog is redundant.
As for Mr Regan lets all stop being so sensitive. Not everyone will share your view regarding he may / should go the same way as Dallas. Wearing a poppy is a symbolic show of personal appreciation for the soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for the country. Not all inhabitants of the UK will share this view, in fact some will be diametrically opposed to wearing the poppy. Lets not politicise the wearing of a poppy ! I agree flippant remarks can offend so Mr Regan also needs to remember that he lives and works in the Scottish goldfish bowl where tweets like his and jumped on any analysed to the n th degree so he should think twice about what he tweets. Sad but true.
As for the Dallas email, storm in a teacup and should have been taken as the joke it was, unfortunately this also falls into the Grant Adams alleged sectarian area and again in SCotland at this time you just cant make jokes of anything sectarian. Sad but true
Maybe the answer is for nobody to say anything about anybody or anything again ! That way there will be no offence taken and non given, would make for a boring life though but maybe this is the price that needs to be paid ! Sad but possibly true.
In all honesty I agree with many of your comments. My point was not to say that what Regan has said is in some way inexcusable (although it is in very poor taste). In fact I do say that he didn’t intend to offend. It is more the way in which these very similar matters are treated by the media. For Dallas there was a witch hunt of extraordinary proportions and for Regan there will be nothing. The events are certainly comparable in their severity although I would agree that neither was actually severe misconduct.
On Stokes – the reason I mention his father and the pub he runs is that Stokes Jr. is shareholder in this pub and therefore at least partly responsible for what occurs there. Also there is another picture, which I have not published, of him in the pub posing in front of a banner that was earlier used in an IRA march in Dublin. It all ties in. I would certainly not suggest that he should be responsible for what his father does – he is however responsible for what he does.
I also take your point on the comparison between Stokes and Grant Adam but let’s remember, being charged with something is not the same as being guilty. Also I am not commenting on Stokes’ behaviour per se but more on the reporting of it. Do you really think that in a climate where the media are desperate to report any incident relating to the upcoming bill on offensive behaviour that this is not a worthwhile story? A Celtic player being involved in the recording and dissemination of the very songs that his club Chief Executive keeps vowing to stamp out (without any success). Why should the Celtic fans on the terraces stop singing their songs of hate when Stokes’ helps to record albums full of them?
After reading i started thinking about this very serious matter. I was wondering how can the powers that be not acting on this? then i realised a connection Peter Liewell! ! SFA committee member sitting with SR making these decisions. Ahh as well publicly stating and reiterating his clubs stance on secterianism and pro IRA singing. His words ” we must stamp this out the game completely ” we wait to see any comments from either named but i don’t hold my breath. Will it b more SWEEP SWEEP by media and SFA u can bet ur shirt on it. Consistency is all EVERYONE is looking for. I do fear in the current climate we will be waiting a bit longer.
Every day they push the boundary out further, There will soon be no further we can move. But with the quality and persuasion of Press that we have, don’t expect much to change soon.
Regan will get away with this as he’ll pass it on as a joke and anyone who matters will laugh.
Stewart Regan’s tweet tells us a lot. I agree with you Chris – I dont think he intended to offend. However he is guilty of crass stupidity of the highest order.
Why he felt compelled to even make a ‘joke’ in the first place (are jokes not supposed to be funny?) is beyond me. Imagine the head of the F.A. had made a similar attempt at humour. He would have been slaughtered. I dont want to be over sensitive over it as everyone is entitled to their views. You either want to wear the poppy and/or pay your respect or you dont wear a poppy and show no respect. Thats fine. Its a free country which ironically, those who died fought to safeguard. For or against is fine. But to attempt to make fun of it shows immaturity, insensativity and poor judgement. Sadly, poor judgement is becoming a trait of Regan’s. His failure to support the F.A. In their legitimate greivance with FIFA was a disgrace. Perhaps he feels his position would be less secure if he was seen supporting the English F.A. Certainly, his opposition to Team GB will win him many plaudits with the see you jimmy, timby-boot wearing england haters that seem to attatch themselves to the national team nowadays. Three words that describe them and Regan. Embarrassment to Scotland.
If Regan had made a joke about the Irish Famine on a day of remembrance to the victims, would he still be employed? I think we all know what’s going on with the media in Scotland. Good article Chris, keep up the good work.
But he hasnt has he? He has made a joke about the date 11/11/11. Where in what he has tweeted is the reference to Remembrance Day? He should be more ashamed of the fact it was a shite tweet. Thats about it really. But dont let that get in the way of your paranoid ramblings and pathetic attempt to relate it to something that is completely unrelated tot he issue.
How is it unrelated Josh? Employee of the SFA makes tasteless joke about something which offends a certain number of people whilst others are not in the least offended. One is hounded by media and sacked. Other is laughed off. That’s the point of the article. Whether you think Regan did something wrong or not is not the point. It’s the way the media treat similar incidents. There were plenty of people out there not in the least bit offended by the Dallas email – and before you call me a bigot I am talking about people of many faiths including Catholics.
If he had made a joke about British soldiers today I would have been calling for his head. He didn’t.
Good blog and interesting informative news reported well.
My take on what you have said is that if the BBC don’t report the Stokes story it gives Mr Whyte’s Legal people more ammunition to shoot them down in court!
Hope they know about this story!
What ammunition? “Celtic player not reported for doing something that’s doesn’t break the law”? You’re a sensitive wee soul, aren’t you, lol?
If I was as sensitive as you I’d be offended at the use of ‘ammunition’ and ‘shoot’ in your post on Armistice Day.
Love and Peace,
Nikki
So, basically you’re saying he’s okay for PROMOTING AND PROPAGATING Terrorist songs.
Must say I’m happier being sensitive as opposed to insensitive, but maybe you agree with the IRA Terrorists point of view!
Insensitive to all those murdered by the IRA… now I see where you’re coming from!
sorry but promoting terrorists is a crime in britian.
get your facts straight
OK, Chic, I’ll play along with you on this one. Do tell, please, what terrorist songs he’s supposed to have ‘promoted and propagated’? I haven’t read the story.
Oh, and what crime is he supposed to be charged with?
(I don’t know where this will appear, but there was no ‘reply’ button after your post so I’ve replied to an earlier one)
Willow, please don’t insult my intelligence by asking ‘what crime’ trying to get me to say something I didn’t just to keep you in the area of legality! The question I’m posing is it’s hypocrisy to argue Adam is more guilty than Stokes in terms of morality and media coverage! It’s an old ploy but if you wanna continue debating give me some credibility!
As for the songs as I’ve no intention of buying the album I’m content knowing they’re republican ones and I’ve heard enough of them over the years! Never been to the moon either but I know it’s full of holes!
Supposed to have propagated… Well, he put it up on the internet so ‘supposed’… No supposed about it
When is Whyte in court? He keeps talking about taking issues to the courts but never does. Why do you think this is?
Did Reagan use an SFA computer or phone to send his tweet? Will he be disciplined for misuse of his IT assets?
Fucking hell you Huns are one shower of moaning bastards! is it any wonder your despised , fucking get a live and stop looking to be offended you pack of paranoid pricks.
Thanks for that reasoned and compelling argument.
Apparently the Scottish Parliament outlawed the use of the H*n and Feni@n words yet here is yet another example of a Celtic fan abusing the law – will he be brought to account…
Anthony Stokes is Irish, Irish man in likes Irish Republican music shock!
Why are you highlighting Stewart Regan’s twitter post as being a joke against rememberance day? He is clearly joking that the day, month and year are all 11. It is no more harmful than if he said the same joke last year, although instead said it on the 10th october and wrote, “It’s the 10th of the 10th in 10….”
Honestly, your blog is so one-sided it’s about to fall over. “It seems that a young boy allegedly being sectarian is more newsworthy”. That’s right, a young boy – fuckin 20 years of age (a full 3 years younger than Stokes!). Nah, you’re right though – wee soul doesn’t know what he’s doing.
Thank you for illustrating my point about the media already having found Grant Adam guilty.
Also would you agree that Stokes although being only 3 years older is a much higher profile player than the 3rd choice Rangers keeper? That makes it a bigger story by any normal standard.
Paranoid? What about the green pepparami, cutting the grass to look like a sash, the hokey cokey,look at yourself .
How exactly did I illustrate your point that Grant Adam was already being convicted guilty? I didn’t say he was guilty, I only mentioned that your trying to put the old, “He’s only a wean!” stance on your article. There is only two facts here – Grant Adam was charged by police for secterian breach of the police. The other fact is, there is no proof that Anthony Stokes is making a new secterian album. That is why one story is in the paper, and another one isn’t.
I’ve just wasted minutes of my life that I won’t get back reading your rant. I’m away to watch the Scotland.
No proof? Really? Well thanks for popping in.
Prosecution – “I’d like to address the jury if I may; Exhibit A – as you can see, I have a screenshot of Anthony Stokes saying that he’s in the studio with players brigade and the new album is sounding good.”
Jury – “And what further evidence do you have before we condemn him of being a bigot?”
Prosecution – “None, my Lord, do i need any more evidence?”
Jury – “Fuck off out my courtroom”
You seem to be mistaking the media with a court. Curious.
Jesus wept..
Shock horror! hold the front page! Irish man support’s Irish Republican band lol.
How low will you sink to try get anything to do with Celtic condemned by the media..I seen you all (mostly the Vanguard Bears) tweeting everybody practically begging for them to condemn Stokes.
Stokes is IRISH and support’s an Irish republican band..there is absolutely no harm in that whatsoever.
I think you need to remember that Irish republicanism is very much part of Irish people’s history and heritage and Irish folk band’s are very popular not just in Ireland but all over the world.
And for your information the Wolfe Tones, Dubliners & Player’s Brigade hardly support modern day dissident republican’s..all of there song’s are about the Irish Republican Army (IRA) that fought for there right of freedom.
All they are doing are commemorating in song about those heroes..I would have thought with the Queen of England coming over and paying her respects to those same men that the bands sing about would help you understand that but evidently not.
The only disgrace here is that stokes had to remove the tweet (because of the bombardment of abuse he received) and now thank’s to your hatred the Player’s Brigade album will not receive the promoting that it deserves.
Because every single penny of CD sales are going straight to the Good Child Foundation. So thank’s a lot guys
there was a chance of 25 000 of his followers maybe buying the album and therefore donating to the charity but now no.
Hang your head’s in shame.
Hang your head in shame coming on here and spouting this nonsense. This band have an album commemorating the terrorist hunger strikers of the IRA. Nothing to do with this cuddly, friendly IRA that you are trying to promote and that never existed. Try reading up on your history – even the ‘old’ IRA engaged in sectarian killing. Only an idiot would try to justify singing songs about terrorists by saying the proceeds would be donated to charity.
You see this is the mentality of someone like you, I made a few points in my comment yet you just write back that garbage.
The IRA hunger striker’s are terrorist’s in your eyes but yet heroes in thousand’s of other’s eyes.
And do not talk to me about history please because I know mine, you are trying to tarnish the IRA because of the bombings of innocent people in England, If we were to look at it that way then I suppose the British Army are forever to be knows as terrorist’s because of Bloody Sunday? Or plenty of other atrocities that they have committed?
The answer to that is no they are not, because if you know anything about history you would no that not one single army in the world from any country has a perfect history.
You cannot argue that the majority of the IRA fought for the right of freedom.
I am well aware that splinter groups of the IRA or a small amount of IRA have committed horrendous act’s and I do not agree with any of them.
Just like a small number of British soldiers sometimes kill innocent people or abuse a prisoner.
But that does not mean that you should not wear a poppy to commemorate the brave British soldiers that have died for my country. I wear my poppy every year as I am English and have relatives that have died in service and are still in service.
This works both ways I am afraid and although you cannot bear to believe it the majority of the IRA Catholics AND protestant were normal brave men that fought for something they believed in.
The Queen know’s this and so does the government..that is why they apologised and paid there respect.
I think that is a valid point so let’s see if I get a dignified, valid response from you…
Interesting tactic to come onto a Rangers blog and try to persuade us that the IRA were all a bunch of jolly craicsters. You picked a tough audience.
I’m not going to debate the difference between the actions of a legitimate army of a sovereign state and the terrorists of the IRA who specifically targeted civilians. Suffice to say that if you can’t grasp the difference then nothing I say will make any difference. That post is so littered with nonsense I wouldn’t even know where to begin and let’s be honest you are not going to change your opinion.
As far as your comments on the ‘old’ IRA are concerned I suggest you read this http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-the-ira-campaign-in-cork-against-protestants-and-nonrepublicans-was-on-a-truly-vast-scale-2417300.html . Written by someone who actually has researched it properly and who quite clearly defines the sectarian nature of the organisation you have so much regard for. Not that Stokes or this band are singing about them anyway.
Most Irish people find plenty of ways to celebrate their fine nation without resorting to glorifying the IRA. Real Irish people rejected the IRA and their methods a long time ago. A recent reminder was the abject failure of Martin McGuiness in the Irish Presidency elections.
Please don’t try to spout anymore of this nonsense on here because it won’t see the light of day.
Spin Peter Liewell would be proud of.
This is the truth about the CD Anthony Stokes was promoting.
From the Players brigade website I qoute.
“Just finished recording our third cd
its called The Struggle Continues and includes The Hunger strike Martyrs , our tribuite to all the irish men who gave their lives on hunger strike from 1917 to 1981 thirteen tracks in total will be on sale from about the 25th nov. Will be on sale during our Scottish tour which starts Nov 25th which includes Newcastle & Middlesbourgh as well as about ten venues in Scotland”
I dont know why a charity like the Good Child Foundation would be linking themselves to a group that supports the killing of woman and children.
Or maybe the Charity hasnt got much scruples in the 1st place as it Brianwashes disabled children in wild conspiracies about establishments Masonic referees and makes children dress up in Celtic strips and sing anti British songs for their daily bread.
Disgraceful. Who can we report these morons to and get their actions publicized
I’m not offended by Regan’s tweet, I’ve said worse but then I’m not the Chief Executive of the SFA, a very senior and important post with a salary commensurate with the standing of his position. So why is he ‘tweeting’ anyway? Surely that’s for D-list celebrities and other similar narcissists? And if he really has to use that particular social media then stick to the facts and leave the banter to the young Bhoys of BBC Scotland because that statement has made him sound like a moron. So really, the media should be reporting that the CEO of the SFA is a twat. But they won’t. Because their Celtic scarves have fallen over their monitors and they can’t see what they’re doing.
Anthony Stokes? Just another idiot with an unfortunate upbringing. He’s part of the cycle of abuse and Dawkins knows how we break that. Perhaps we should ask his friends with the shovels who are burying that story as we speak?
Regan, Stokes – the pair of them are cocks – no more – no less
nighty night
Is that Celtic and the Mhedias throw away line on this story
“Anthony Stokes is Irish he likes an Irish band” ?
will Nick Griffen is British and he likes the BNP
Lets have a wee look at what Anthony Stokes and his Dad fund after all as it says on the Players Brigade website and I qoute.
“The Players Brigade was formed in The Players Lounge Pub in Dublin where they play on a regular basis.
What impresses most about this band, apart from their very young age, is not only the exceptional vocals and overall sound it’s the way they actually live every song with such intensity and emotion that it becomes compelling listening.”
Let us see some of their inoffensive Dittys
Full of anti British Racism and joy in the wallowing of the death of innocents from acts of mass murder and terrorism.
All these songs Im sure you would agree would be on the list of the songs both Neil Lennon and Peter Liewell want to see stamped out said in both the AGM and a statement to the fans from Neil Lennon had to give after the disgusting scenes at Tyncastle.
I am sure you will also agree that if the proposed new SNP Laws come in these songs would be on the naughty list.
Anthony Stokes is a role model to some and has nearly 30000 tweeters following him what sort of example is that to set them.
He was preaching to the choir with tweets from them like
morgzbhoy88 Gerard Paul Morgan
@stoksey10 I’ll wear no prison uniform nor meekly serve my time that Britans might brand Ireland’s fight 800 years of crime
ConnorMcManusx Connor McManus
@stoksey10 Grafitti on the walls just as the sun was going down, I seen graffitti on the walls
etc etc.
This is Scotlands real Shame the rabid support for Fenianist Terrorism that it finds within its borders that would disgust the rest of Britain if they were aware of how ingrained it is in our society.
Or is Scotlands shame a meadia that refuses to hold the mirror up to its disgusting face.
Right I’ll establish 1st that I’m a Celtic supporter, I live in the Republic but I was brought up in Renfrewshire. I see where the media are coming from on the Adam sectarian charge, but it’s taken out of proportion (sadly). In my eyes everyone is innocent until proven guilty, if he is PROVED (With credible evidence) guilty then he should receive his reprimand (A fine at most) and let on his way with no mention of it again. I believe in second chances and he’s only a young guy and everyone can do silly things like that in their youth.
On the Stokes story, I’m not so sure, I myself am against the whole sectarian part of the old firm. I’d be the one to actually stand against the support in silence if a “rebel” song was to be chanted, but yet again I come to second chances. The Player’s Brigade have admittedly made “rebel” songs in the past, but that was when it was a cult, if it is for a charitable cause then the material on the album should be reasonable, (i.e You’ll Never Walk Alone, The Celtic song and at the furthest A Soilder’s song as it’s the english translation of the Irish national anthem) but anything else that might be the slightest bit controversial should not even be thought about for a charity album especially if it has one of Celtic’s star players in it, otherwise that would bring the club, band and the good work of the charity into disrepute!
As for Regan I myself was shocked that there seemed to be not a single mention about the poppy’s, despite living in the Republic I wear mine every November everywhere I go and I wear it with pride despite the odd shout of “English b*****d” (Mis-informed as I said I’m a scot!) or “F**k off home”, because these people were fighting for the safety of their nation, I may not agree with everything they done but that is not the army’s fault, they do as their told by Westminster and risk their lives in the process. In previous comment there was a mention of someone defending the IRA and for sure the peaceful side should be defended, but as for the real IRA I like most of the Irish population condemn their actions, though I wouldn’t consider it terrorism, more (excessive) retaliation, and as said the Republic showed this in the poll’s last month by rejecting Martin McGuiness (He’s not got a clue about politics anyways), he is in my eyes a man who should be put to trial.
I could go on for ages about this but I may bore you, so I’ll sign off on this.
The past is the past no matter how bad it is it’s happened and we can’t change it but we can change the future and make it a peaceful one.
P.S Best of luck with the tax case, I’d hate to see such a big club go and bring with it a big history and one of the biggest rivalries in football, it’s the last thing Scottish football needs with the state it’s in.
Unless the album Stokes was promoting was about the PIRA I see no problem with it. Previous to the off shoot that became the PIRA the IRA were something more similar to (albeit more successful) Jacobite army.
As for Regan’s joke. It’s hardly the most offensive joke out there and compares nothing to the Dallas one.
So in summary.
GET A LIFE!!
Interesting point but are you telling me that if Kyle Lafferty decided to promote a loyalist band who were releasing an album of Christmas hits that the media wouldn’t be all over it? They would. You know it and so do I. Stokes is promoting the band and they are a band who sing songs glorifying terrorists and the of killing British soldiers. I don’t care if they are singing show tunes on this latest album he still shouldn’t be promoting them.
Once again Chris a very intelligent well thought out blog. Pity some of the less cerebral on here are incapable (or just don’t like facing the truth) of digesting and understanding the point you very clearly made.
These examples you gave highlight the “turn a blind eye” philosophy, so very prevalent in todays Scottish mhedia. If the bad stuff aint linked to Rangers or indeed Protestants….. ” move along, nothing to see here”.
keep up the good work Chris.
Lets just say It was a charity album why was he told (I Believe and expect by somebody a celtic park or an advisor knowing how intelligent and rebelous our Anthony is) to delete the posts regarding the Players Brigade?
The spin is already being spouted
“its an album for Raemonn Gormley thats the new one on the website”
Unless Anthony is tweeting from a time machine this cant be possible as that was recorded and being sold on their website in March.
In saying their spin they gloss over the Hunger strikers macabre 30th aniversery album.
The Album Might be full of Celtic football songs like the good (I say through gritted teeth) Willie Maley song.
But here is the Players Brigades version one filmed in Dohertys in hamilton which they are supposed to play in november/December of this year
I say its a good football song well it was until they got their hands on it and put the add ons
“And the IRA”
“Fuck the Queen and the UDA”
Now if that was a band in glasgow and it was singing “Fuck the Pope” Peter Kearney the roman catholic propaganda minister would have it closed down.
That brings me on to the SFA and Stewart Regan just click the link to see the Hypocrisy that this blog so finely shows in one headline
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3244953/Church-demands-Hugh-Dallas-sacking.html
where is Peter Kearneys condemnation for all the proud Roman Catholics that fought and died for this country?
The Press have this story and it stinks to high heaven why it isnt being published.
My eyes are now wide open.
Never in my life have i read as much indescribable paranoia
If you are all so sensitive, why don’t you give a thought to all the people you abuse with your hatred and bigotry when you visit stadiums all over the country, i just wish you could see yourselves as the rest of the civilised country sees you, going by your logic chris, god save the queen should be banned as well, i’m sure you know why, but would probably ignore the fact.
But man get a life, the inane ramblings are that of a schoolboy.
Life for every team outside of your bigot infested clubs has to deal with the vile and disgusting garbage every single time you visit, and as your full away support to a man woman or child is “up to their knees in fenian blood” don;t give me the minority line.
For a fan of the either of the clubs who use sectarianism as a way to make money, to then complain the other are worse just does not wear with any self respecting human this side of the normality.
If this is your life, then you make your bed……………..
Oh dear Stuart you seem to be stuck in the 80s. Rangers fans no longer sing those type of songs whilst Celtic fans continue their IRA fest on a weekly basis home and away. Once there is parity there will be no need for further comment. Thanks for your input though.
The Famine Song is sung on a weekly basis, as is the “fuck the pope” add on
Absolute nonsense. I think I’m don with you now. Thanks for playing.
Are you actually suggesting Rangers fans don’t sing dubious songs anymore?
Come off it, I’m all for reasoned arguement, to blindly dismiss it and say it never happens is laughable.
For the record, I abhor the IRA shite that is sang by Celtic fans and the sooner it ends the better. We have plenty of good songs without resorting to these.
Dubious songs? Define that for me. You might not like them but are they sectarian? No. Rangers fans have cleaned up their act to a huge degree in the past few years. During that time, and because they think they are now untouchable, the Celtic support has been reintroducing the full repertoire of IRA songs. http://doublestandards.bplaced.net/
Did you really think that when the media and a certain section of the Celtic support started their campaign to have Rangers fans punished for sectarianism that one day it wouldn’t come back to bite? IRA songs are not acceptable and are now a much bigger problem at Scottish football grounds than anything that Rangers fans do. Also Celtic forums who currently have threads which run to hundreds of pages full of the sectarian use of the word ‘hun” will soon be in a great deal of trouble. This is the landscape that has been created. I suggest you get used to it.
http://doublestandards.bplaced.net/
Paddy McCourt’s Fenian Army is offensive, is it?
To whom? We’re just reclaiming the word, much in the same way as black hip hop stars have reclaimed the word ‘nigga’ from use as an offensive term.
Claiming that song is offensive is laughable, and if that’s what we’re in the dock for, well, it’s fair to say it’d be easily contested.
Interesting that from the wide and varied choice of sectarian and IRA songs sung by Celtic fans you picked that one out. Good luck with your reclamation – I’m sure you have nothing worry about from UEFA…..
Chris you say Rangers have cleaned up their act over the last few years.
If so, then why did you get fined and your supporters banned by UEFA?
You also indicate you do not sing TFS and the FTP add on any longer.
That’s simply not true.
Every Rangers game I watch, TFS gets belted out with gusto.
Sorry but you are lying. I know that it doesn’t help your argument that Rangers fans don’t sing these songs but they don’t. You are just going to have to suck it up.
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are thinking of the Rangers song to the tune of Sloop John B that has the below lyrics. Of course perhaps you think the Beach Boys are bigots in which case I can’t help.
4 men had a dream,
To start a football team,
They had no money for kit or even a ball,
They still carried on,
The Rangers were born,
54 titles,
We’re still going strong.
You seem to making inference that Reagan’s tweet was somehow disrespectful, why not read what’s actually there?
He’s making a shite joke about the date, not mocking anyone.
Fair enough Adam is innocent before bring found guilty, though I didn’t see the media crucifying him as you claim, they ran the story that he got arrested, big deal.
I notice a lack of proof on your behalf backing up these “hung, drawn and quartered by the Scottish media ” claim (Maybe your’e just paranoid)
Stokes hasn’t broken any law, so what he’s doing is neither here nor there. Some may find it distasteful, others not.
As for Stokes’ dad, he was never charged with any crime. Funny you missed that important detail. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13028279
But providing links about his arrest helps you add weight to your story (bit tabloid-y that no?)
Maybe watch your own double standards.
All in all, this piece is rated ‘Clutching at straws’
Hmm another who seems to (intentionally?) have missed the point. You say Stokes is not breaking the law? Has it been proven Grant Adam did? And in any case this is about the media not the courts. I’m not suggesting Stokes should be imprisoned, however it is a newsworthy event given that Celtic’s fans are now in the dock with UEFA for singing the very songs that one of their players has been helping an IRA band to record.
As for the comparison with Regan and Dallas I completely understand that some people won’t find Regan’s comments offensive. However most people didn’t find Dallas forwarding a satirical email offensive either and he was still hounded by the media and sacked. So please spare me your observations of what people should and should not find offensive.
“As for the comparison with Regan and Dallas” – I never compared Regan to Dallas (I didn’t even mention Dallas in fact) so I’m not sure why that comment is directed at me.
Did I say Adam broke the law? Again, no. He got arrested, that’s a fact.
(I would’ve preferred you address the points I actually made, why mention Stokes’ dad arrest, which was front page news at the time, but not the consequent release without charge )
Whether Adam, is found innocent/guilty/not proven remains to be decided. Just like Celtic fans in the UEFA matter.
Seems I’m not the one (intentionally?) missing the point.
Its a newsworthy event? Why? because Stokes likes a band that MIGHT sing songs that MIGHT get Celtic a punishment from UEFA.
Incidentally, do you know which specific songs were sang by fans, that has led to the UEFA hearing? I don’t, but if you do, by all means enlighten me. If you don’t, it’s a lie to say those are also sang by the Players Brigade, and therefore ‘newsworthy’ because Stokes likes them.
I just feel your blog piece has jumped the gun. It would have been better to hold off until all the hearings/criminal cases were actually decided then you could actually connect the dots with Stokes/Players Brigade/Songs and the Adam case and then highlight any media double standards.
” I never compared Regan to Dallas (I didn’t even mention Dallas in fact) so I’m not sure why that comment is directed at me.” No but I did and the comparison is the whole point of the article. A point you are either failing to grasp or would prefer not to.
If you want evidence of the many IRA and anti British songs that the Players Brigade sing then I suggest you look at their website or at the Youtube clips linked on the comments to this article. You might not find them offensive but millions of people in Britain do. Once again you seem to think the only news that is relevant relates to some form of criminal behaviour. It is news that Stokes supports a band who glorify PIRA. I’m quite sure if Kyle Lafferty was in the studio with and promoting a band who sang songs about killing Catholics then it would make the papers.
good day to talk may i remind the snow white rangers fans manachester do you remember the war memorials that yous pished on spewed on and shite on what a way to honour our war dead please please remember support heros pay your taxes
That actually made me laugh out loud. Punctuation and spelling are your friends.
Chris I wish you had a broader platform for your observations as there is plenty of scope here for a wake up call to all non Celtic minded members of our society of an inherent bias in favour of All things anti Rangers FC in the Scottish mhedia…….
Chris quick questions , how many catholics do you employ in your business
I don’t employ anyone Barry but my wife is a Catholic. I’m guessing you’ll be a bit raging about that since presumably you were hoping I would be a foaming at the mouth bigot?
Are you not going to tell us all how sad and bitter you are ?
lmao he was in a studio doesnt say he is on the cd , and that is notwhere near as bad as 40-50 , 000 bigoted people singing secterian bile
He was supporting and promoting the band. I didn’t say he was on the CD. I agree with your point about 40-50,000 people singing sectarian bile. Hopefully with the UEFA investigation that will now stop at Celtic Park.
What songs are on the CD, Chris?
I’ve asked this a couple of times now but the first time you moderated me, in that you didn’t post the question.
Do tell, I’d like to find out what’s getting your knickers in a twist.
This has already been covered. Suggest you read the other comments.
Erm, where is the inappropriate joke about remembrance day? It’s a joke about an unusual date.
You and your ilk need to stop clutching at any straw you come across. It really is quite sad and pathetic.
As for stokes, i agree, he needs a cuff round the ear. Hardly a criminal offence though is it? Or are you suggesting everyone at the recording studio and record label are guilty of sectarian crimes as well? How about the printing company who did the CD sleeves? How about iTunes if they sell it online?
Deary me….. I’m glad I live abroad.
When you talk about clutching at straws do you mean like the one that Celtic fans and the media clung to in order to get Hugh Dallas sacked? Let’s be honest, they had been after him for a while ever since they coined him in the OF game in ’99. All he did was pass on a joke cartoon via email.
No what Stokes did is not a criminal offence – something I’ve now clearly stated several times. Although there are laws against promoting terrorism I doubt they would be used in his case. I suppose they would have to show that they were donating the proceeds of the record to a terrorist organisation rather than just glorifying their campaign of murder.
I’m glad you live abroad too. How’s the weather?
You still haven’t explained to me why the media should pick up on the Regan story about a rubbish tweet about an unusual date? Or why the SFA should launch a probe and sack him?
What should the headline be?
“Gers fans in uproar over rubbish calendar joke that had nothing to do with them or remembrance day”
You are starting to make yourself look silly now….
The point of the article is to compare the media approach to similar situations. Have you still not got that? A small number of people took offence at Dallas and a small number took offence at Regan. Whether you agree with their offence is not my concern. The point is that in one case the ‘joker’ was hounded by the media and sacked. That is a double standard. Is that clear enough now?
What should the headline have been for Dallas? “SFA employee sacked for forwarding an amusing satirical cartoon”?
By failing to grasp the point of the article you are making yourself look silly.
ChrisGraham76,
You speak of your right to honour your Nation’s heroes. But you want to deny others the same privilege?
Slightly cryptic. Are you trying to say that PIRA are national heroes? To some perhaps. Most Irish people totally rejected them and their methods though.
chris lol your not that smart think about the word good boy im sure you will get
Ok…..
It was done on the 5th because that was the game before internationals, if there was a game closer or on the 11th it would have been done then. The issue is remembrence. What was the meaning behind dressing as smurfs? Was it not as a lighthearted way to commemorate fallen and injured soldiers, specifically because of the time of year? Yes it was, I’ve seen the pictures, there were children and adults, they looked like they were enjoying themselves, and so they should, it was a bit of fun, there’s nothing wrong with what they were doing at all, all I’m saying is that as a Rangers supporter you won’t condemn them but yet Reagan is being condemned for joking about THE DATE SPECIFICALLY. The fact your feeling the need to lie about it being just kids shows you won’t have a proper discussion.
That is properly bonkers. Well done.
Excellent article once again Chris,
Bookmarked for future use. trying to educated hate filled morons like Chris, Barry and Bartin Main is an exercise in futility. These warped twisted people will never understand basic morals and ethics.
Good Luck Mate
Chris,
Good blog, don’t know if it will make a difference but hopefully the offended by everything, embarassed by nothing brigade will start treating everyone with a bit of reverence and respect and see that their actions / inactions are also offensive.
PS, Unlike a post earlier I’m from Scotland and support Rangers.
So it is ok for gers fans to dress up as smurfs but what Reagan said is out of order? Ridiculous logic.
Is it ok for a group of kids to dress up as Smurfs? Yes, yes it is.
Kids!? Have a look at the pictures. It just seems like double standards, it is ok for gers fans to have a bit of a joke but not for Reagan who was actually refering specifically to the date? Rangers fans do not represent or speak on behalf of the Poppy foundation or the entire British public.
Yes kids. I walked past them at Ibrox. They were a bunch of kids. You trying to compare the responsibilities of a group of kids to those of the Chief Executive of the SFA? They were also very respectful of the armed forces personnel who were at Ibrox that day. It also wasn’t Remembrance day. Apart from that I’m sure you have a point in there somewhere.
So 6 foot kids with stubble were at Ibrox? I have seen the pictures so I don’t know who your trying to convince it was just kids because it is not true. So it is ok to joke about the isuue as long as it is not on Remembrence Day? I don’t understand your logic, adult gers fans are fine to dress up as smurfs? What right or authority over the Remembrence of dead soldiers do they have?
What are you wittering on about? The Dundee Untied game was on the 5th November. Is that an important date? No it isn’t. It was a group of kids. They had a couple of adults there to supervise them but I know they were kids because I saw them and I have also seen the photos. What comparison is there between that group on 5th November dressing up as smurfs and the CEO of the SFA making a crass joke on Remembrance Day? What ‘issue’ were those people dressed as smurfs joking about? You are just making yourself look like a halfwit.
I wonder if the Policeman who sent the complaint about Celtic ‘Ilicit’ chanting to UEFA would agree with the ethos of this L.P ?
and I qoute
“updated 14/11.2011 Just finished our third cd this week . its called The Struggle Continues and includes The Hunger strike Martyrs , our tribuite to all the irish men who gave their lives on hunger strike from 1917 to 1981 thirteen tracks in total will be on sale from about the 25th nov.”
It dosnt look good for our Stoksey Bhoy
P.s in this story the first one from the Daily Mail about Stokes Mum
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2058152/Anthony-child–sister-adopted-baby-reveals-Ireland-stars-mother.html
His mum says she gave birth to two boys Michael and the Anthony Byrne
This wouldnt be the same “Mick Byrne” that plays bass for the Players Brigade?
you silly bigoted idiots, ‘supporting the IRA’ is not sectarian in any way shape or form. the IRA were/are a political group, not sectarian in the slightest. You huns are so stupid
I think this is the definitive word on the subject. Telling us that the IRA were not sectarian and then using a sectarian term himself whilst calling me a bigot. You couldn’t make this kind of thing up. Thanks for that genius.
Hun isn’t a sectarian term though..
More revelations!
Explain to me how it’s sectarian, and explain to me how the IRA were sectarian?
I suggest you read the many times this has been covered on the site. Read the other comments. Denial is a horrible thing and the sad fact for you is that if I think “hun” is sectarian (it’s a derogatory term for a Protestant) then it is. Luckily I am backed up by politicians, the police and the courts so you are out of luck. There are also links that will allow you to read about the IRA’s ethnic cleansing in Cork (that’s the so called “old” IRA that you lot like to pretend you are singing about).
The IRA were a political freedom fighting group who had to take some action against an oppressive regime as peaceful civil rights marches were getting nowhere and were in fact being persecuted, although of course i don’t condone all that the IRA did. Funny the double standards by the British, Libyan rebels fighting against an oppressive regime are ‘heroes’ and yet the IRA are terrorists. And ok fair enough point if you think hun is sectarian, i apologise
That’s funny. It sounds like you are condoning it. Thanks for your input.