Action demanded on 'Celtic chants'
THE DUP has called on the Scottish Premier League (SPL) to take "swift and decisive action against Celtic Football Club" after sections of their support engaged in a series of pro-IRA chants during their recent game against Hearts.
MLA Jimmy Spratt has written to the SPL and is calling on ex-Secretary of State John Reid (now Celtic chairman) to publicly condemn the chants.
In doing so, Mr Spratt noted that "for several months Celtic Football Club has been extremely vocal in their condemnation of certain chants coming from supporters of other clubs" – a clear reference to songs sung by Rangers' supporters.
The DUP MLA said: "After listening to repeated instances of pro-IRA chanting in the course of their televised game against Hearts, their subsequent silence about the disgraceful conduct of their own supporters has been deafening.
"Such glorification of terrorism has no place within sport and must be condemned outright. The Scottish Premier League must intervene and take decisive action in order to bring such chanting to an end."
Celtic must "eradicate such naked sectarianism".
"As a former Secretary of State, he (Mr Reid) will be acutely aware of the murderous, barbarous campaign of the IRA which brought bloodshed to the streets of Northern Ireland, and indeed across the United Kingdom.
"Until Celtic Football Club can get its own club in order, dictating to other clubs and supporters will be viewed as sheer temerity."
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 09 February 2012
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