Ange Postecoglou has spoken out about the storm over the Scottish Football Writers Association awards night that has descended into a racism and sexism storm.Â
The Celtic boss was guest of honour as Manager of the Year with Alex Ferguson and Craig Gordon also among the award winners.Â
Some over-18 entertainment is expected from the speakers but it seems that Bill Copeland’s routine went way too far.Â
Eilidh Barbour of Sky Sports and BBC Scotland kicked off the storm by walking out and tweeting about feeling uncomfortable.Â
On Monday the SFWA issued an apology to anyone offended but this morning Planet Radio reports the Celtic boss saying:Â
The content was not appropriate, to be honest I don’t know if its appropriate at anything. You can turn it into a controversy but I don’t think people learn anything from that.Â
Make it a teaching moment to be better for people who have the responsibility of organising those nights. It’s an opportunity to do things a lot better and understand you have to take into account peoples beliefs and feelings. I think they’ve approached it the right way by apologising.Â
Postecoglou gave an interview to the SFWA before the Copeland comedy set but appears to have been ambushed by what happened later on.Â
It has been reported that racist jokes were told about Japanese footballers, after arriving from Yokohama Marinos last June Postecoglou has signed three players from the J-League.Â
Racist comments will never leave this country when you have a fool like this at awards, I cannot believe that a big thing like this could only get a clown like him as a speaker what a total embarrassment for the organisers they should give a massive donation to charity to show how sorry they are.
Ange has arrived in this country to be the inspiration behind building a new ethos at Celtic in terms of success on the park. However, he has brought more than this. To me Ange has brought with him a template for being better at everything.
All sorts of media chaps have tried to upset him, but Ange is every bit a very decent human being and leads by example. I feel that we are honoured to have him at our club. He stands head and shoulders above everyone in the world of football for his sincerity and his approach to management and respect for players and fans.
Everyone involved in football and in the media, politics or whatever, can learn from him, if they have the desire to do so. However, the big question is, will they take that option? There are some very hard hearted people out there who are mired in hatred and lack of respect for others and who do not have the courage to engage and modify their behaviour and to show respect and empathy for others.
The awards ceremony was spoiled for others by a person who should have known much better and who took the tacky option to get the laughs. Those who laughed with him are just as guilty. There would have been many who felt uncomfortable. One can only hope that lessons have been learned, but bigotry and racism are lurking and are encouraged in many areas in this country of ours and perhaps it is not as welcoming as it should be.