Celtic urges Rangers fan to shut their racist slur mouth off!

CELTIC chairman John Reid has written to supporters who contacted the club following the recent home game against Rangers to express their concerns about sectarian behaviour - and in particular the singing of the so-called ‘Famine Song’ by large sections of the Rangers support - and to ask for Celtic to make the club's position clear. John Reid wrote:

'Along with many others, I know you have written to the Club about the behaviour of visiting supporters who gave vent to a song which I have no hesitation in condemning as racist and deeply offensive. As both Rangers Football Club and Strathclyde Police have stated, the content of the song - which is directed against the community of Irish descent in Scotland - is in breach of Race Relations legislation and exposes its perpetrators to the risk of prosecution.

The Irish Famine was a human tragedy of immense proportions. It is one of the few such events for which the British Government has expressed specific regret for its share of responsibility. Few of those who sing this song will have stopped to think that Famine is non-sectarian and the millions of people who died or were forced into mass emigration - some of them to Scotland - were from all faiths and traditions within Ireland.

We should condemn racism and sectarianism without fear or favour wherever they arise. That is an essential part of Celtic Football Club's ethos. The club has always been open to all people. We draw our Board of Directors, shareholders, management, players, footballing heroes and supporters from all races and religions. We draw our very name, Celtic, from the bonds that unite the Scottish and Irish peoples irrespective of political or religious traditions, bonds and a heritage that remain a source of pride to us today.

In condemning the actions of others, Celtic must always be vigilant with regard to our own conduct and reputation. Celtic supporters have received well-earned international plaudits in recent years for the way in which they conduct themselves at home and abroad. But we are not complacent. I would again condemn, without equivocation, the use of any chants or songs which can be interpreted as support for religious or ethnic hatred, or for acts of violence. The assistance of true Celtic supporters in weeding out the minority who persist in that behaviour, usually at away games, is greatly appreciated and results in stringent action.

Thank you again for drawing this matter to my attention. Our supporters can rest assured that Celtic will continue to work with all interested parties to remove the twin cancers of racism and sectarianism from Scottish football and our wider society.

Yours Faithfully

John Reid

Chairman

Celtic FC