What was the reaction of the Scottish Government?
The big question is not whether Joe O’Rourke is a bigot: the big question is why have all the people who have been pushing for legislation to outlaw the likes of Joe O’Rourke been so quiet? Surely this was their chance to hook a big fish, but instead of landing the catch of the year they throw it back into the pond for it to carry on swimming and pollute more. We are left feeling that Joe O’Rourke is the one that got away. When the football bill had its chance to show that it was not afraid to tackle sectarianism it came up short. Not this time it says, maybe next time there will be a more suitable candidate (Rangers Supporter) to criminalise.
As the First Minister Alex Salmond stated:
“…the song tells us for Scotland to flourish then ‘Let us be rid of those bigots and fools. Who will not let Scotland, live and let live. Modern Scotland is also built on equality. We will not tolerate sectarianism as a parasite in our national game of football or anywhere else in this society.”
Empty words it seems when the parasite hails from a certain section of our “equal” society. For the Scottish Government to allow Joe O’Rourke to keep swimming in the pond of sectarianism, it must be seen as a failure of Scotland’s politicians and a failure of The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threating Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. Surely if stating that Protestants should have drowned at sea on Twitter doesn’t break the ‘threating communications’ part of the act, then what does?
The gentle slap on the wrist warning that the police gave to Joe O’Rourke must surely send out an even bigger warning to those that feared that the legislation brought into tackle the type of behaviour demonstrated by the head of the Official Celtic Supporters Club would indeed be used in a one sided way. Why have there been no calls for Joe O’Rourke to be sacked from his position as head of the Official Celtic Supporters Club? Joe O’Rourke will be allowed to visit football stadiums in Scotland to spread his hateful views. Why? Is this because Celtic are now above the law – witness the lack of action on sectarian singing inside Celtic park from Strathclyde Police and the Scottish football authorities when UEFA have acknowledged that Celtic supporters sing illicit banned songs?
Is Scotland a country worth defending?
Finally, is this country worth defending? How many politicians have come out to defend Scotland after the comments attributed to the Celtic manager “I can’t do my job, that’s typical of this country”? If the comments had come from an English politician, the outcry would have been fierce. Is this a failing amongst our politicians who can’t deal with the bigots in our own backyard? In short, The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threating Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 is not fit for purpose and the Scottish Government should retract it, for the one sided law is not only unfair but will in the long run add to the blight of sectarianism and create even greater division.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Cyberted, Your one of those people desperate to be offended listen to your mock outrage,and very selective memory Your probably one of them with the camera phone trained on Neil Lennon wanting him arrested if he sticks his hands behind his ears, your desperate attempt to tar celtic fans with rangers is pathetic celtic fans will never be anything like the bile infested louts who rampage their way through europe leaving cities looking like 3rd world war zones.
cyberted
When can we expect your article about the RST Tweet about child abuse?
Or is it just Celtic fans who offend you?
does anyone know where you can buy diet jelly and ice cream, i just cant get enough.off now to watch the monty python dead parrot sketch,coming to a club near you.
The reason that story wasn’t used is because there are 100’s of rankers comments 1000 times worse but typical how you expect your lapdogs (or the Scottish media as they are known)to stop anyone talking bad about the toxic club from Ibrokes. If you had all got behind your club instead of trying to give bad press to others you may not be on the bring of extinction. No one will miss your shameful club.
BYE BYE.
FUCKOFFYOUBORINSHIT HUN TWAT CANT WAIT TILL YOU RATS DIE DIE DIE
Well done, have some points. What’s the tally at now? It must be high, this has been going on for years.
It was a stupid comment from O’Rourke, but he isn’t the first to make one and he won’t be the last. From either side.
Are you going to write an article every time someone makes such comments or just when it involves Celtic?
If you genuinly care, you should write articles attacking the legislation and the way it’s enforced. It has plenty of issues and enforcing it seems sporadic.
the irony of all this, is that when the titanic was actually being built catholic workers (so few of them as there may have been) in harland & wolffe ship yard were, so often, treated to a bath in belfast lough – yes they actually tried to wash the fenian from their veins – thanks to their protestant (bigoted majority) co-workers, simply for being catholic.
what a pathetic bunch them maggots over at govan are; hurry up n fade away u arrogant bunch of toothless (no pun intended) b****&*s!
Yer a very sad man cyberted…I can picture you now with yer wee bunch o straws jist clutchin away tae yerself…clutch.unclutch.clutch. and so it goes….
Talking about people who get away with things …..what about the nice man who attacked Neil Lennon at Swinecastle or the two even nicer guys who tried to blow up Neil Lennon, Paul McBride Q.C. and Trish Godman MSP did they all get away with it too because they are Celtic fans?
poor cyberted I can feel your pain. pathetic article,desperate.you lot call us paranoid ha ha ha