In the fervor and anticipation that surrounds the Glasgow Derby, a pivotal aspect of this weekend’s clash at Ibrox has been, quite regrettably, mishandled in its portrayal by The Scottish Sun.
The narrative spun around the new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, particularly in the context of the Glashow Derby rivalry, was not only skewed but conspicuously misdirected.
The focus of The Scottish Sun’s report—suggesting that Celtic fans will inundate the police with complaints due to the new hate crime laws—misses the critical issue at hand.
The real story is not about the potential for increased complaints; it’s about the appalling reality of hate crimes that may transpire, unchecked, in the cauldron of a football stadium.
It is disheartening to see the angle chosen by the publication, which shifts the spotlight onto the victims for their possible reactions, rather than addressing the root cause of the problem: the perpetration of hate and bigotry.
The narrative, as framed, leans perilously close to victim-blaming, a narrative that insinuates that calling out bigotry is more contentious than the act of bigotry itself.
The Scottish Sun were not the only outlet to cover it, The Daily Mail and Football Scotland also followed suit.
The newly enacted Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act was born out of a necessity identified by Lord Bracadale’s comprehensive review. It aims to address and curb hate speech and actions directed towards individuals based on religion, among other protected characteristics. This law is a beacon of progress in a society striving to be more inclusive and tolerant. Yet, the framing of the upcoming Glasgow Derby match under this context by The Scottish Sun undermines the law’s intent and significance.
Ally McCoist’s comments, whether in jest or otherwise, that he and 48,000 other Rangers fans could potentially “breach” the act, casts a stark light on the normalisation of sectarian chants at football matches. The reaction shouldn’t be a shrug of the shoulders or a resignation to inevitability. Instead, it should be a call to action for everyone involved in Scottish football.
The SPFL and the SFA need to take more decisive steps towards eradicating hate speech from the stands.
UEFA’s actions against Rangers in 2019 should serve as a template for domestic football governance. They were given a partial stadium closure for their home match against Legia Warsaw after sectarian chanting in a European match against St Joseph’s. The Glasgow club then rejected away tickets in Poland after more chanting of the sort could be heard.
Partial stadium closures, fines, and even points deductions should be on the table to deter such behaviour.
The angle chosen by The Scottish Sun not only detracts from the seriousness of hate crimes but also inadvertently provides a platform for those seeking to justify their bigotry.
It’s time to shift the narrative towards accountability, prevention, and, ultimately, the celebration of diversity. Only then can we truly tackle the scourge of hate crimes in Scottish football and society at large.
