Following Stan Collymore’s twitter campaign it seems that the SPFL may be forced into dealing with the sectarian singing of the Sevco support.
Collymore was challenged on line after linking the racist attack on the Paris Metro with the attitude of Ibrox fans pushing the former Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa striker to investigate the matter in more detail.
The day before the incident involving Chelsea fans in Paris it emerged that the SPFL would be taking no action against the thousands singing anti-catholic songs, including the banned Billy Boys anthem during the League Cup semi-final at Hampden earlier this month.
Following last night’s repeat of the sectarian song book it has been claimed in various media outlets that match delegate Tom Purdie, a former Hearts and Hamilton Accies security officer, would be including details of sustained sectarian singing in his match report.
It appears that the word sustained carries some weight in this matter as the same songs have been heard at most of Sevco’s televised games without any sanctions from the SPFL or SFA.
In 2006, following action by UEFA, the SFA were forced to ban singing of the Billy Boys which celebrates the actions of Billy Fullarton’s gang from Bridgeton and their attacks on catholic’s.
Collymore had promised to raise the issue of sectarian singing in his various broadcasting roles but was informed by BT Sport that he wouldn’t be needed for their football preview programme ahead of the Raith Rovers match.
Rather than be silenced that sanction has pushed Collymore into further action to highlight the issue and the lack of action taken by the authorities.
During last night’s match he tweeted: “That feeling of being so right it’s life enhancing. The whole sectarian hymn book came out within 10 mins of kick off. Well done BT!”
He added: “If you want to make a complaint to BT Sport about the sectarian chanting at Raith , here’s the form. https://bt.custhelp.com/app/contact_email/c/5642,6600/?s_cid=con_FURL_sportfeedback …
With a high profile personality using social media to highlight the issue it appears that the footballing authorities may be pushed into dealing with Scotland’s not so secret shame.
BT Sport made no comment on the anti-catholic songs and will show Friday’s Falkirk v Sevco match live.