Peter Lawwell's reaction to the "F*** UEFA" banner and flares among Celtic's supporters in Udine last Thursday night was swift and scathing. "Clearly, there is a very small, rogue element that has developed within our support which we have to weed out," he said. "We are not going to tolerate it." It is not just that Lawwell had the right to make such a statement, but that he had an obligation to do it. There have been times in the history of both Old Firm clubs when the boardrooms have been places of small voices and even narrower outlooks when what was required was leadership, bold and unflinching. Club directors, in particular those at Celtic and Rangers because of the size of their support, should act with a sense of guidance, of hectoring even. The Old Firm are followed, in Scotland alone, by hundreds of thousands of people. They are symbols of identity, the representation of two communities. Although the defining lines are increasingly blurred in a more secular, more mixed society, the clubs still stand at the forefront of two separate groups. A combination of history, immigration, religion and passion for football has delivered Celtic and Rangers to a place where they can count on the support of vast numbers of people who consider themselves like-minded. This brings with it power, but also responsibility. Lawwell could have responded to the UEFA banner and flares with a less emphatic reprimand, but that would have been to neglect his duty, his moral obligation even. Some Celtic supporters are determined to cling to an aspect of their club's heritage that they believe can be expressed in support for, and singing about, the IRA. This denigrates Celtic and the majority of their fans who don't consider this view as part of their identity, or that of their team. The best way for Lawwell â and, because he understands the club better than most, and is adamant enough to want his voice to be heard, Neil Lennon â to deal with the problem is to expose the culprits, separate them from the rest, and criticise them; to ostracise them. Rangers have faced the same circumstances, and the message from the club in recent months has been unequivocal: sectarian songs and attitudes will not be tolerated. Yet, even when UEFA were investigating the club last season, on the basis of a complaint made by Football Against Racism in Europe, Martin Bain condemned the singing but at the same time spoke of a witch-hunt against Rangers. This diminished his own authority; there is no room for ambiguity. The message coming from Celtic and Rangers should always be unequivocal, because they have a duty to lead the support that follows them; to educate and influence, to better. Both clubs are involved in anti-sectarian initiatives, and other education programmes, but they are not always high-profile enough. Football clubs, because of their status and their influence, can be a powerful force for social good. Incidents of domestic violence are known to rise after an Old Firm match, so why do the police, local authorities and the clubs not combine to mount a campaign that would have lasting effects? This is also a country awash with alcoholism, with liver disease being seen in younger and younger people, and a general disregard for the medical perils of excessive alcohol drinking. Yet the culture of the game still revolves around alcohol â the media is also guilty, for glorifying the drinking exploits of the Tartan Army, as though it is some kind of benign eccentricity. So where is the sustained campaign for safer, responsible drinking involving high-profile football clubs and people? The game has the influence and reach to alter the behaviour of huge numbers, as seen by the role football played in tackling racism in the 1980s and onwards. Yet it is a power that is not used enough. It is this authority that Lawwell and Lennon invoked last week, and that Rangers have used to address anti-Catholic intolerance among their fans. But they, and the game itself, can do more, and tackle a wider range of issues. Football draws a vast community of followers, and can be a force for change among them, in community initiatives, social and public health campaigns, raising awareness for issues and causes. Instead of reacting to fans' behaviour, the Old Firm â and football clubs in general â should be playing a greater role in changing attitudes. In a Glasgow church last week, Steven Naismith proved the point. The Rangers player funded a Christmas lunch run by the charity, Loaves and Fishes but, while the financial gesture was generous and admirable, a comment he made was more telling. "If nothing else," Naismith said, "football can help make people more aware of homelessness as an issue." That is the power of the game, as a means to influence behaviour and attitudes, as a way to change society for the better. Richard Wilson Glasgow Herald http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport...y-to-educate-their-supporters-better.16230923
The Old Firm have a duty to educate their supporters better I don't particularly want to be educated by a football club. It's on a par with going to a Coldplay concert and being lectured to by a rich, middle-class tosser about world poverty. I support Celtic because they're a football club, not an educational establishment.
Those loaves and fishes people do charity ****e in my work. Shouldn't they technically be called "Loaves and Fish"?
I actually believe Martin Bains claim about a witch hunt, in fact its proven considering its took how many years? for you lot to be held accountable for the ****e you lot sing as well. We were in the papers for fan misbehaviour for about 4 years solid, the only time you lot ever appeared was at a poppy protest, and i honestly doubt during that time Celtics GFITW didn't sing any of the pish they sing today. Rangers did get the rough end of the stick, now yous are and its about ****ing time to be fair.
Rangers were done for songs which were inciting hatred and racism. Celtic have been charged under political chanting. Totally different factors and causes.
We have no more space for double rapists in prison, they are full of singers Educate fans....**** sake, you think fans are unaware that they are offending people....for some of them that is the point of the exercise I can't wait until the next Scotland game, Alex Salmond in irons for singing anti English songs
Dev Advocate has championed himself as an educator of mostly Celtic posters on here. When without a counter argument he often adopts the favourite bear stance of criticising the grammar or the spelling. However its always good to publish a conniving, diving scheming bear on a Celtic forum.
