Football fans and religion

Sid the mod will love me for this one






Police probe claims 'minority of Boro fans' ripped up copies of the Qu’ran at Birmingham City
10 Dec 2013 11:15
Middlesbrough FC vows to ban for life anyone convicted after online reports concerning alleged behaviour during Saturday's game

An investigation involving police and Middlesbrough Football Club has been launched following allegations Boro fans engaged in religious discrimination.

Online reports suggested a “minority” of Boro fans ripped up copies of the Qu’ran - the religious text for followers of Islam - during the club’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham on Saturday.

The allegations are now the subject of police investigation, with Cleveland Police reviewing CCTV footage of the away crowd at St Andrews.

Middlesbrough Football Club has also vowed to ban for life anyone convicted.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “We are aware of an incident at the match at the weekend and we, along with our colleagues at West Midlands Police, are investigating.

“Inquiries are well under way including examination of CCTV from within the football stadium.

“Any incident such as this is taken extremely seriously by police.

"We will not tolerate such behaviour and it will be fully and thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice.”

A Boro spokesman said the club - a “strong supporter of football’s pledge to eradicate racism and intolerance in all its forms” - was aware of an alleged incident involving a “minority” of Boro fans.

“We are keeping in close contact with West Midlands and Cleveland Police as well as our counterparts at Birmingham City as the investigation proceeds,” he said.

The Gazette’s Boro correspondent Anthony Vickers said: “Football has put a lot of time and effort into ridding itself of racism over the last 20 years, with the fans being right at the forefront of that through the fanzines movement.

“Organisations like the Football Supporters Association policing themselves are helping drive racism out of the game.

“It’s the duty of all fans to oppose it wherever it rears its head.”

 

[video=youtube;cvkfJM6DrCQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvkfJM6DrCQ[/video]

 

Billy, expecting this one to go down like a lead balloon....

 

I certainly do not condone the actions of the fans in question, but I would like to question why there was no police investigation when Muslims were clearly seen on TV news bulletins burning poppies and the British flag on remembrance Day last year.

 

One would have thought that their lack of opposable thumbs would have made that quite difficult for them!

 

There's a scene in that documentary Comm where the reporter has MON stuck for words when asked about Celtic fans singing pro IRA songs.
He pulls his mike off & walks out.

 

Well the police quite simply did not want to upset race relations, ahem!

 

Bugger them mate. They have no right to do that here. If they do not like it, they can bugger off.

 

You're not allowed to say that!
You'll get wrong my lad.

 

It is true though. If I did not like where I was, I'd go elsewhere.

 

Aye, they all have that choice, .

 

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This comment is quite ridiculous and has drawn me to comment on this forum for the first time in a long while. To assume Muslims are automatically from another country is short sighted and offensive. There are many UK based Muslims, both with English heritage and those born and bred here whose families have come from a different country, I know many and all consider themselves British and are as proud of this country as you or I. To say “go back to where you come from” is quite ridiculous as their country is England and is the same as saying that to you or I (assuming you are white British) go back to where we came from.
Assuming some (“some” being the important word as we cannot group all members of the same religion as having the same viewpoint, everyone is an individual) Muslims took offense to the ripping up of their religious book, then I can understand their frustration, as I can with people’s frustration of the burning of the English flag and poppies.
This is an appeal to not join the Daily Mail brigade and please treat everyone as an individual and not just tag (popular theme at the minute) them because of their religion. In case you were not aware Muslim’s believe in the same God as Christianity, they believe in the Bible and are no different to you or I apart from their religious beliefs.
In case anyone cares, no I am not religious but I do oppose anyone who is discriminated against in any walk of life.

 

The burn our flags, we rip up their bible what's the problem

 

Two wrongs don't make a right..

 

They don't mate both needs stopping but our government doesn't act

 

Even if they did they'd only act one way & it wouldn't be for burning flags.

 

Your biggest assumption is incorrect. I am not white (well not wholly anyway) and quite frankly mine nor anyone elses race or religion actually does not comes into it. My jibe was not aimed at all Muslims. It is aimed at those who defile our flag and go against our traditions and values. Those who burn our poppies and flags (some were white by the way) fly in the face of what I and others believe. They are the ones who I want to leave and I believe my post clearly meant that however I am sorry if it didn't for you.

You will find the vast majority of Muslims dislike what their vocal minority does and they try their best to quell their idiotic nature. Just like myself and the horse puncher. I am not the same as him yet we have something identity wise in common. Not all Newcastle fans punch horses just like not all Muslims are terrorists.

See, we are the same. I just have little time for extremists and idiots.

 

As usual mate, very well put, .