Celtic’s defeat from Hearts brought out the worst in some vile internet users.
Twitter was awash with abuse that seems certain to result in police action with several users quickly able to identify the abusers as they attempted to cover their tracks after 15 minutes of notoriety.
The children of Leigh Griffiths and Jay Beatty were the main targets of abuse as the season of goodwill came to a halt among some poisoned minds.
Seriously what is wrong with some people. Yes we lost a game of football. But you think saying shit like this is Big and clever?? Because it doesn’t! It’s horrific, and you should be ashamed of yourself! pic.twitter.com/VFHS4G8mgX
— LG9?? (@Leighgriff09) December 17, 2017
Hearts fan and Loyalist murderer sympathizer abusing Wee Jay. pic.twitter.com/Zsm0fdCPMb
— Kat (@KatCelt) December 17, 2017
Think this wee Rat better go into hiding ………a trip abroad asap required you silly uneducated knuckle dragger https://t.co/TFQ81ACC2N
— four to go .. (@darrenjdouglas) December 17, 2017
This utter scumbag tweeted about a man who has cancer & hoped he would die (Liam Miller). Now he’s went protected like the rat he is. Well I’m all for rivalry but the hatred shown towards people with an Irish background has really opened my eyes today. pic.twitter.com/Mgd9GFusoP
— John Coyne (@JohnCoy29071630) December 17, 2017
While there was condemnation of the abuse there was also a worryingly high number of likes and re-tweets for the sickest of abuse.
Part of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act includes Threatening Communications but it seems that little effort has been made with that area of the 2012 legislation.
The sort of abuse that surfaced last night is commonplace on certain message boards but it is only once it spills onto twitter or facebook that the authorities take note.
Whether the courts decide to take serious action against the perpetrators remains to be seen, the standard reaction is an apology, blaming drink or some other excuse for actions apparently out of character.
The reality is that the actions tend to be the tip of a very well guarded iceberg.
