After taking a deep breath and gulping down the Bravery Pills Chris McLaughlin tried to tip toe through the egg shells of discussing the ‘sectarian chanting’ at Easter Road on Sunday without linking it only to the set of supporters involved.
Celtic naturally were brought into it, the BBC added a picture of seats with stickers at Fir Park after a visit from Celtic with as many other issues brought into the report as possible.
BBC Scotland provided live radio commentary of the match with no comment made on the constant anti-Irish and anti-Catholic songs coming from virtually the whole of the away support.
While a particularly sick chant was aimed at Martin Boyle as he received treatment the Radio Scotland commentator praised the fans ‘for maintaining an atmosphere during the lull’.
Soon afterwards at half-time Richard Gordon on presenter duties offered no apology. Jim Spence is a former BBC Scotland presenter.
— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) March 13, 2024
In the 24 hours after the final whistle on Sunday there was no reference to the hate chants by the state broadcaster but they felt duty bound to cover it once the ‘enough is enough’ statement was issued by Hibs.
Instantly BBC Scotland decided to bring in a variety of other issues to dilute the core matter raised at Easter Road and highlighted across social media.
At a media conference yesterday at Ibrox Kheredine Idessane bottled out of asking Philippe Clement about his concerns that the chanting of his club’s supporters could lead to further UEFA sanctions.
Twice in 2019 UEFA closed parts of Ibrox due to racist chanting, no action has ever been taken against either Ibrox clubs by the Scottish football authorities.
From 2012 until 2016, how many sectarian offences were there noted in the Top flight of Scottish football?
— Craig Whyte (@RIPRFC) March 13, 2024
Too many like the status quo like your paymasters
— Terry O’Neill (@terryoneill67) March 13, 2024
For the avoidance of any doubt this relates to what Rangers fans were singing about Boyle at the weekend as well as other sectarian songs sung but also includes Celtics IRA songs and Palestine conflict. But then Hearts also sing the ‘up to our knees…’ song. Not aware of Hibs?
— scott mclean (@scott_mclean_73) March 13, 2024
You never call it out.
— MalkyC (@MalkyC01) March 13, 2024
Enough of what? You are too scared to say it. Coward.
— Drumradroochit (@drumradroochit) March 13, 2024
When the BBC stops apologising to overcome a ban it received for calling it out surely ? I’m sure you know what I’m talking about Chris ?
— Marcas O’Greachain (@MarcasOg135) March 13, 2024
Andy, the piece is about people who chose to participate in unacceptable conduct inside football grounds. It was in response to an SPFL prem club saying enough is enough. Very few clubs are immune to it. The ‘but they are worse than us’ mantra doesn’t really get us anywhere.
— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) March 13, 2024
Where is Celtic mentioned in this Hibs statement.
— TimMaloy (@TimMaloy15) March 13, 2024
It’s ironic that you of all people would raise this issue without naming the problematic club.
The same club who tried to destroy your career.— Cautious Dave (@cautiousdave) March 13, 2024
Good article with the exception of this part….
“Songs that many thought were confined to the 1970s and ’80s are back and being chanted, seemingly unchallenged”.
Come on Chris this is plainly untrue, where have you been for the past 40 years?— Tommy Reilly (@TommyReilly70) March 13, 2024
When BBC Scotland report the truth about new Club Rangers2012 . Truth about bias reporting of all SMSM .Truth about bias pro – Rangers 2012 refereeing&VAR operators . Why are u afraid ? Who is responsible for bias refereeing etc , is it Crawford Allan & refs or is it Sevco?
— Celticda1950 (@Celticda1950) March 13, 2024
Joint World Record for number of games without a penalty against them. You can be sure that somebody isn’t telling the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth!