Eastern Daily Press January 15th 2014 Norwich Crown Court saw unprecedented scenes today after Norwich City fans were charged with offences of abuse dating back to 1995. CPS Prosecutor: Mr Smith,you and the other 5,999 defendants were I believe in a place known coloquially as "The Barclay" On Monday March 20th 1995 to watch a soccer match? Mr Smith: Yeah CPS: And at some point during that match you did wilfully sing a song aimed at a Mr Burley,the lyrics of which implied that he was an unhappy man who came from North of the border and was the issue of parents who had not had their union blessed by the relevant authorities? Mr Smith: Yeah,A sad Scottish bastard. CPS: And furthermore,when his team was losing by three goals to nil you compounded this offence by making allegations that his team was not very good? These allegations were made to the tune of an erstwhile hit by the popular beat combo The Monkees and known as "Daydream Believer". Mr Smith: Yeah,A **** football team. Mr Justice Cocklecarrot : I really don't see where this line of questioning is heading.From the evidence presented it would appear that the singing of this song is protected by the "Fair Comment" defence.
Since the statement that prompted CT's post also says that there is to be a crackdown on on-line abuse etc. (Twitter and Facebook being mentioned in particular), maybe "It's a football forum ffs" as a defence of the otherwise indefensible will also get tested in court.
IMO there is no real difference to what you say online and what you say in the real world. Also I think it's a rather cowardly, most of the people who post stuff on twitter, facebook and forums wouldn't dare say the same in real life.
I loved the Rod Liddle article on Millwall fans arrested after directing allegedly racial abuse at Gillingham. "You are a bunch of f***ing pikeys" chanted our East End pals.In court the defence counsel pointed out that a not inconsiderable number of the Gillingham supporters wore shirts with the bon mot emblazoned on the front "we are the pikeys" oops!
Apart from if you were confronted with a bunch of F***wits giving you abuse you would not have to log on to the website to hear what it was all about.I rather liked the Private Eye three step guide to avoiding Twitter abuse: 1 Dont go on Twitter. 2.See (1) 3.See (1) and (2)
I see what you did there,sort of turned it around.But it illustrates my point.Social Media isn't IMHO part of the real world.I'm sure that even JWM might appreciate the humour in that Norwich song.Football is meant to be entertainment first and foremost.Nobody is going to condone throwing baanas at black players or the like but a little joshing adds to the fun.
Well, that view of social media is precisely what we have been warned is going to be challenged. There is a pretty clear message that there are seen to be limits to what is acceptable on social media, as elsewhere.
I'm with CT on this, christ sake even if we sing about you being inbred, doesn't actually mean we believe it. its just banter.
You could view it as the converse though, in everyday life in the public eye we are told how we should act, behave and be PC. On-line you may see a more real opinion and people through relative anonymity may be voicing their real thoughts and sentiments. Bah!
Dave is behind this,interfering little fecker.There are areas where state interference is warranted and where it isn't.My view is that this lot have it the wrong way round.They want to let the bankers and the hedge fund operators strip the place bare but some old fella who wants nothing more than a few cheap ales and a quiet night in on't'internet studying the Camel Toe Times for a little recreational pole stroking is going to find himself redirected to a Jesus Saves website.
Very true General. Thank goodness we are protected to a degree from people's "real thoughts and sentiments" as well as their actions!
Prosecutor "could you, for the purposes of the court, explain the decision to label this mans nationality as Spanish when it is quite clear he is Scottish?"
Prosecutor "Dave from Wymondham, did you or did you not enquire whether mister Warnock was 'a ****'?"
