They aren’t even hiding it – just look at the two headlines below.
I rest my case. pic.twitter.com/3H8XQqZKOz
— West End Bluenose (@WestEndBluenose) June 2, 2021
It appears that depending on the type of flag and team supported, then football fans can be treated differently in the eyes of the authorities and the mainstream media.
The hypocrisy and double standards is sickening but it is no surprise and should never be accepted.
Yesterday, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan was quoted after speaking about the England v Scotland clash at the Euros, when he sent a message to fans intending to travel south:
As stated in the Metro, Khan said:
“I am so excited for Uefa Euro 2020 and one of the games that I am looking forward to the most is England’s match with Scotland at Wembley.”
“I have some amazing memories of England v Scotland games in the past and I love the atmosphere that Scottish fans always bring to major football tournaments.”
“However, I am today urging all fans to only come to London if you have a ticket for the match or if you have arranged a safe place to watch it from, in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines.”
He added, “I want to be completely clear that Scottish fans will not be able to access their traditional Trafalgar Square base, as it will be used as a socially-distanced fan zone for key workers who are helping our city through the pandemic.”
“Due to Covid regulations there are no alternative sites for fans to gather in large numbers in central London”
Narrative
As a result of those comments above a particular spin and commentary is utilised.
When Rangers fans celebrated in George Square, it was ‘Selfish Beyond Belief’ along with suggestions that Rangers FC should have done more to prevent the scenes.
However, when its Scotland and the Tartan Army, this is when the narrative changes.
All of a sudden we see a patrotic image of a fan with a Saltire with Big Ben in the background and an unapologetic tone on the front page.
It is absolutely ridiculous.
This comes on the back of comments and plans from the authorities in Scotland to facilitate fan zones and special arrangements for the Euros, partly hosted in Glasgow, which we were led to believe was simply not possible in the lead up to Rangers ‘Trophy Day’ celebrations.
The difference is there was no will and political capital to be gained by those in power.