Anti-sectarianism charity Nil by Mouth has been heavily criticised today for its apparent double standards in relation to sectarian comments made toward Rangers supporters by St Mirren chairman, John Needham.
Yes, another day, another ‘controversy’ around cultural issues in Scottish football…except we aren’t talking about the football.
Instead, it is the circus which surrounds the game and in particular, the commentary.
Over the weekend, it came to light that St Mirren chairman John Needham previously made sectarian slurs against Rangers supporters before he was in his current position at the club, as well as a seriously unpleasant remark in May this year, hoping for the Squinty Bridge to collapse and for hundreds of Gers fans to fall into the River Clyde.
Yes, that comment and the others were made on Twitter and now it is the turn of the St Mirren official to feel the heat of the ‘is this you’ craze.
Huns this, Sevco that.
In owning up to his past remarks, Needham stated:
I apologise unreservedly to the Directors and fans of Rangers and to everyone at St Mirren. I am acutely aware of my responsibilities. This won't happen again.
— John Needham (@johnneedham1961) October 24, 2021
However, that is just part of the story.
In their wisdom, anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth made the following comment:
We are aware of the recent derogatory tweets directed towards Rangers fans by St Mirren chairman and subsequent apology. We suggest these sentiments could be made more tangible by a donation toward Rangers Charity Foundation to support its education work with young people.
— Nil By Mouth (@NBMScotland) October 25, 2021
What a peculiar response. The term ‘derogatory’ is used, whilst sectarian is omitted – this is despite that label being described on NBM’s website as sectarian.
They also locked comments on the Tweet.
Compare and contrast to the manufactured furore over Rangers 150th commemorative kit video, when the organisation went on the offensive against the club for having the audacity to use the ‘Four Lads Had a Dream’ melody as a backing to the video for a kit launch, dedicated and inspired by Rangers founders.
In this instance, a tune was decreed as sectarian because it conflates with the offensive ‘Famine Song’ chant.
On that same issue, NBM issued three tweets and was highly critical of Rangers acclaimed ‘Everyone, Anyone’ diversity campaign. They also didn’t lock tweets on that one.
Fast forward to the comments of St Mirren’s Needham – where was the outrage, condemnation and criticism? Where was the demand for change? Why did we get just get a suggestion that a donation be made to Rangers Charity Foundation?
Why the double standards and hypocrisy?
As ever, more questions than answers when it comes to the selective reporting and commentary around Scottish football.
A few weeks ago, I was also hit with the ‘Is this you’ treatment, when a tweet from 2013 was used against me, in a predictable manner.
Such is life when you stick your head above the parapet on social media.
We can all aim to do better, to listen, learn and be consistent or we can keep going round in circles.
Rangers and the supporters will no longer accept being held to a higher standard than everyone else, whether that be John Needham, the Daily Record or anyone else.
Instead of the faux outrage and nonsense, we could all make inroads together against actual discrimination and serious offence.
To do that would require honesty and transparency instead of agendas, deceit and a race to the bottom.
Interesting that @NBMScotland went pretty heavy in their condemnation of Rangers 10 days ago (when they weren’t actually sectarian) but today they call John Needham’s comments ‘derogatory’ rather than anything stronger. If they don’t think he was sectarian, why comment at all?
— Andrew Dickson (@mrandrewdickson) October 25, 2021
Depressingly for what is supposed to be an anti-sectarianism charity, silence would’ve been better than this weak response coupled with turning off the comments. https://t.co/pS9Ct3VfG8
— Derek Clark (@derekclarksport) October 25, 2021
Compare with the essay they wrote after joining the orchestrated frenzy over the 4 Lads shirt video.
Selectarianism in full view. https://t.co/GiPR0cl8ic
— Heart & Hand Podcast (@ibroxrocks) October 25, 2021
Rangers have written to St Mirren, the SFA and the SFA about the comments.
— Raman Bhardwaj (@ramanbhardwajTV) October 25, 2021