Sports Rangers fan tells talkSPORT sectarian abuse is ‘ACCEPTABLE during a football match’ after Steve Clarke was called ‘Fenian b*****d’ Posted on February 22, 2019 14 min read 0 99 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr A Rangers supporter told talkSPORT live on air it is ACCEPTABLE to be ‘a 90 minute bigot’ and shout abuse at players and managers, as long as it’s during a football match. It comes after Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke was angered by sectarian chanting directed at him by Gers fans during Wednesday’s Scottish Cup clash at Ibrox. With Rangers 5-0 up against Killie, chants of ‘Fenian b*****d’ were heard around the ground. Steve Clarke angry about the chants aimed towards him by Rangers fans A fuming Clarke accused Scottish football fans of ‘living in the Dark Ages’, while talkSPORT hosts Alan Brazil and Jim White, both Glaswegians, strongly condemned the scenes. Jim invited Scottish football supporters to call into his show on Thursday (10am-1pm) and share their views of the incident, with the majority of callers also condemning sectarian and bigoted behaviour. talkSPORT hosts react to Steve Clarke abuse But one caller, Rangers season ticket holder Billy, argued it’s okay to sing abusive songs – as long as it’s confined to a 90 minute football game. The Glasgow-based fan insisted racial and antisemitic abuse is unacceptable, but claimed there was ‘no malice’ in sectarian abuse. Rangers fans in full voice at Ibrox Speaking to talkSPORT Jim White on Thursday, he said: “Supporters have their voice during the 90 minutes, during the game. “We have what we call here in Scotland a 90-minute bigot. For 90 minutes they sing these songs, full-time it’s over with. For 90 minutes it’s acceptable. “To say that this is a problem, a cancerous problem in Scotland, is an absolute nonsense. It doesn’t need to be dealt with. “I would draw the line at someone’s colour and things like that, I mean that’s unacceptable. “But what I’m saying is, in Scotland we have this thing where people do call one another orange Bs and f****** Bs and everything else. “It is done with a lot of tongue in cheek. As I say, there isn’t a malice to it.” Listen back to the call from Billy the Rangers fan in full above Full transcript of Rangers fan Billy’s call on talkSPORT: Jim White: “So were you there last night?” Billy: “I was sat behind the dugout Jim. My season ticket is right behind the away dugout, I was sat behind Steve Clarke. “I heard the song being sung. The game was played over 90 minutes, it was a cup tie, it didn’t go to extra-time. “The song was only sung once but, what I will say Jim, the score was 5-0. Steve Clarke had reacted to other songs prior to that. “The situation with any football supporter is the only time they get to have their voice heard is during the 90 minutes, when they can sing at opposition players, opposition fans, opposition managers. “Steve Clarke’s a very, very clever man and he’s used his position to have digs at Rangers, which is fine. No problem. “But supporters have their voice during the 90 minutes, during the game. “And you know yourself Jim, we have what we call here in Scotland a 90-minute bigot. For 90 minutes they sing these songs, full-time it’s over with. “To say that this is a problem, a cancerous problem in Scotland, is an absolute nonsense Jim. “There is one or two people but let the police deal with them. Let the police deal with the serious bigots who take things further than a wee song.” HIGH PRAISE Pellegrini insists West Ham starlet Rice is England’s best holding midfielder massive blow Chelsea hit with transfer ban for next two windows by FIFA back? Solskjaer issues positive update on Lingard and Martial ahead of Liverpool showdown leeder Leeds star conducts Malmo chants on streets of London before Chelsea clash LIVE ON TS Solskjaer’s record against Liverpool – can Man United unbeaten league run go on? HYBRID Combined Manchester United and Liverpool XI ahead of crucial derby on weekend OLDER AND WISER Roy Hodgson to reach managerial landmark when Crystal Palace face Leicester Not welcome ‘Embarrassing and disgraceful’ – Jorginho treatment shocks other Chelsea fans Jim White: “But Billy, was it dealt with last night?” Billy: “It doesn’t need to be dealt with last night.” Jim White: “It needs to be dealt with.” Billy: “Steve Clarke was happy to react to songs with regards to his weight problem but when it comes to his religion, then he’s upset. “My point is Jim, it’s a 90-minute thing where it seems to be acceptable to talk about someone’s weight but you can’t talk about their religion.” Jim White: “Of course you can’t.” Billy: “What I’m saying to you is, the fans – this is their only opportunity to get back at all the digs that other managers have at clubs, by using their Friday afternoon interviews prior to the game…” Jim White: “Billy, here’s a question before you go. “If one fan directed sectarian abuse at Steve Clarke last night, is that acceptable or unacceptable?” Billy: “For 90 minutes it is acceptable.” Bob Mills: “Listen to what he said. For 90 minutes, he thinks it’s acceptable for fans to be antisemitic [sic].” Jim White: “You think it’s acceptable Billy?” Billy: “To a degree. “For one song, to get a reaction from Steve Clarke and have a go at the fact his team were getting beat 5-0, and the fact Alfredo Morelos scored the four goals, who he was desperate to get banned prior to the games every time we played them. “As I say, it’s an opportunity for fans to have their voice heard and wind up Steve Clarke.” @RangersFC on Twitter Rangers celebrate victory over Kilmarnock Bob Mills: “Hang on Billy, so what about if the manager was black? Would it be okay to be racist? If he was Jewish, would it be alright to be antisemitic? “You’re saying that for those 90 minutes, all bets are off and you’re within the cocoon of a football match, and you can say what you like. “As long as you don’t carry it on outside the stadium, do you think it’s acceptable, Billy?” Billy: “I would draw the line at someone’s colour and things like that, I mean that’s unacceptable. “But what I’m saying is, in Scotland we have this thing where people do call one another orange Bs and f****** Bs and everything else. “It is done with a lot of tongue in cheek. As I say, there isn’t a malice to it. “And there is a point in the fact that Steve Clarke’s team did get beat 5-0.” Jim White: “Billy, it’s unacceptable for one second of the 90 minutes. It’s not acceptable at any time, anywhere – including Ibrox.” Billy: “It happens at Parkhead Jim and as I say…” Jim White: “Do you not hear me? It’s unacceptable anywhere.” Billy: “So what about talking about Steve Clarke’s weight problem, is that unacceptable as well?” Jim White: “I suppose that would be tongue in cheek but I can hardly believe anyone wants to waste their time doing that. “Anything sectarian, of a sectarian nature, anywhere, one second of any 90-minute match, is unacceptable. That’s my view. “And Rangers fans, the ones who were indulging in this last night, need to waken up to that. Billy, thanks for your call.” Source link
