90 Minute Racists (10/01/12)
In the sometimes unedifying debate surrounding new measures to tackle sectarianism in Scottish football - I've heard people argue there's essentially nothing wrong in being a 'bigot' for 90 minutes.
The argument goes that it's just letting off a bit off steam - no one takes such vile abuse seriously - it's really just a case of - 'sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me'.
Well I disagree with that - entirely.
I see no difference essentially between someone acting as bigot for 90 minutes - and someone acting as a racist for 90 - or even fewer - minutes.
Yet those who want bigots to be let off the leash for an hour or so - would be appalled if someone said:
'Why don't we show racists the same largesse and consideration?'
And as everyone can see for themselves this whole issue is boiling up in English football - where allegations involving players and now fans - are coming to the fore.
England's big problem at the moment is racist behaviour - both on and off the field.
Scotland's problem is alcohol-fuelled, religious bigotry - which is a wider societal problem, but one that finds an unwelcome 'home' or convenient place to vent its spleen - in the events surrounding some of our football games.
So excuse me if I regard 90 minute bigots and 90 minute racists - as two sides of the same coin, two peas from the same pod.
The truth is that neither should be welcome - or even tolerated - in the Scottish game.
The argument goes that it's just letting off a bit off steam - no one takes such vile abuse seriously - it's really just a case of - 'sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me'.
Well I disagree with that - entirely.
I see no difference essentially between someone acting as bigot for 90 minutes - and someone acting as a racist for 90 - or even fewer - minutes.
Yet those who want bigots to be let off the leash for an hour or so - would be appalled if someone said:
'Why don't we show racists the same largesse and consideration?'
And as everyone can see for themselves this whole issue is boiling up in English football - where allegations involving players and now fans - are coming to the fore.
England's big problem at the moment is racist behaviour - both on and off the field.
Scotland's problem is alcohol-fuelled, religious bigotry - which is a wider societal problem, but one that finds an unwelcome 'home' or convenient place to vent its spleen - in the events surrounding some of our football games.
So excuse me if I regard 90 minute bigots and 90 minute racists - as two sides of the same coin, two peas from the same pod.
The truth is that neither should be welcome - or even tolerated - in the Scottish game.
