Weasel Words
Rangers Footbal Club is in the news again - after some its supporters insisted on signing offensive songs at an away match in Berwick at the weekend.
The club issued an apology after TV microphones picked up the offensive chants - and a spokesperson said:
"The club is disappointed by certain outbursts of inappropriate singing by a section of the support at Berwick. Our fans have been excellent this season both home and away and we do not want to see this tarnished."
The Rangers manager Ally McCoist added:
"I didn't know anything about it until I came in after the game. Our supporters have been nothing short of sensational home and away this season. If they were a little bit out of order today, I apologise."
Now I'm sure Rangers really are sorry for the conduct of a minority of their fans - because who would want to be associated with this kind of knuckle-dragging behaviour in modern day Scotland.
But I think the use of words is important - particularly the phrase 'a little bit out of order'.
Because what we're dealing with here is sectarian and idiotic behaviour - which is also a criminal offence that deserves to be taken seriously by every football club in the land.
I suspect that the fans who enjoy damaging Rangers' reputation in this way - would be less likely to persist if the club's leading figures and spokespeople were more forceful - and less mealy-mouthed in their response to such incidents.