Thursday, October 28, 2010

An Honest Opinion; As posted on the BBC Forum

"No matter how things change, they remarkably stay the same.

The recent events in the East of Glasgow has shown this to be the case. The whining, the wailing and the gnashing of wooden teeth have given us an insight to what life must have been like in those bygone days of yore.

Throughout our nations proud history we have stood up for our values and tried to instill a firm belief in right rather than wrong and stick by a work ethic that has seen our people succeed throughout the centuries.

Many years ago, some hungry immigrants were welcomed to this country. Given shelter and food. Looked after and given a chance of a new, better life. Did they take it? No. Did they try to integrate? No. They shunned their hosts, they stole from them, fought with them, and refused to recognise the hospitality that they had been shown. The feelings for these people quickly disintegrated and the only option, after numerous 'second' chances and benefits of doubt, was to shun these ungratefull degenerates. 

100 years later, the same thing happened again.

Famine.

Immigration.

Ungratefullness.


Now, in present times, we see the descendants of these immigrants still bleating about oppression and hardship.

Complaining to anyone that will listen. Failing, yet again to recognise their own shortcomings.

Celtic were founded out of this self portrayed sectarian oppression.
The catholic church preyed on the feeling of hardship and victimisation that was felt within the immigrant catholic community. They saw the hatred for the crown, and realised the potential to satisfy their churches love of the half-crown.

Money was invested to lure most of Edinburghs Hibernian football team over to the city of Glasgow, and Celtic and their sectarian soup kitchens were born. Soup kitchens setup by Celtic, only served the hungry if they denounced their religion and kissed the papal ring.

This union of church and football thrived on their victimisation status and promoted these feelings at every level of society.

Fast forward to the recent events involving this club.

Post war their record shows that nothing can shame them, no crime, no matter how heinous can bring a blush to their cheeks.

They were born out of sectarianism and brought this to our country, and still to this day, the prey on the victim mentality that is encouraged throughout their community.

Even the former captain and manager was wheeled out last season to proclaim to the doubters that the SFA had been involved in a conspiracy against them for 50 years.


Poor us, they cry.

Always cheated, never defeated.

Oppressed since 1741, 1842, 1888 or a fortnight past on Saturday.

Celtic fans warned they face five years in jail for abusing referees

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/10/28/football-thugs-warned-they-face-five-years-in-jail-for-abusing-referees-86908-22663638/

Thugs who threaten Scotland's referees face five years in jail if they are caught.

Legal chiefs issued the warning after the Record told how Old Firm ref Willie Collum and his family were subjected to death threats in phone calls to their home on Sunday.

Collum was targeted after giving Rangers a controversial penalty. And a senior prosecutor last night told twisted fans they will face "the full rigour of the law" if they threaten refs.

Crown Office director of operations Scott Pattison said: "New legislation came into force on October 6 and created a new of fence of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

"This offence covers telecommunications and, if convicted on indictment, carries a sentence of up to five years' imprisonment, or a fine, or both."

The Crown Office said the new law could also be used to prosecute fans who threaten or abuse referees - or anyone else - at games.

We revealed on Tuesday that Collum received a number of threatening phone calls at his Lanarkshire home hours after Sunday's derby.

In one call, at hug threatened to "go after him and his wife and children".

It's understood Collum reported the calls to police but refused the offer of police protection at his home.
The SFA said there was a sectarian element to the calls, one of which was taken by Collum's wife. A spokesman said: "This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football."

Celtic plan to write to the SFA to ask for an explanation of Collum's penalty decision.

Manager Neil Lennon said: "If there's a perception Celtic are putting referees under pressure, it's an unfair perception.

"If I feel a controversial decision has gone against us, I have the right to ask questions."

But he added: "I didn't want the penalty incident to spill over into something that affected Willie's health and wellbeing. It's a game of football and people have to remember that."

Several referees are said to be considering their futures because they feel they are being put under too much pressure over decisions.

Linesman Steven Craven quit this week after the row over a decision to deny Celtic a penalty at Dundee United.
And Dougie McDonald, who refereed the game, has told bosses he is unhappy with how officials are being treated.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Celtic Manager Neil Lennon targeted Referees before season started

Celtic Talk


Celtic Supporters Question & Answer Session in Dundee on 25th July 2010With Peter Lawwell & Neil Lennon 


Quote provided by Celtic Talk, The Home of Celtic FC Discussion


This quote from Neil Lennon was given more than two weeks before the football season has even started.

Question: Now that Rangers are in a bit more trouble than last season and given that the amount of "honest mistakes" that happened last season from the referees, will we do anything to combat the inevitable "honest mistakes" that will go against us this season?

Neil Lennon: Do you not remember me getting in Stewart Dougals face? I want to create a siege mentality, us against them, we are anti-establishment!




----------------------------------------------------



Tuesday, 26th October 2010

In the job little more than six months, the newcomer needs to be properly dealt with by the authorities, as he struggles to cope and to remember his own expressed opinions.

It's possible you might have missed Neil Lennon complaining about Sunday's referee but his club has repeated the trick from the week before and written to the SFA asking for 'clarification'.
So far, so par for the course. But wait, here's what he said today (see link) to try to suggest this isn't a regular habit.
"Up until last weekend I don't think I've mentioned a referee in any of my post-match interviews."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/9129435.stm

Really?

SC Braga 3 - 0 Celtic

Lennon was critical of referee Serge Gumienny and his assistants for giving the penalty when a cross hit the arm of Ki Sung-Yeung.

"His arms and his hands are down by his side; it's ball to hand," said the manager.

"He [Gumienny] made some strange decisions. He booked Charlie Mulgrew after less than 10 minutes for time-wasting. That was just incredible.

"He didn't book any of the Braga players until maybe the final five minutes.

"So I'm not pleased with the referee's performance at all."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8863959.stm

FC Utrecht 4 - 0 Celtic

Lennon continued: “It feels as bad as Ross County. We had a decent advantage and we only needed to score one goal. But it’s the overall performance; we were second best in just about every area.

“The first penalty was soft and for the second we shot ourselves in the foot. We’ve gone one down and just need to weather it and we get one goal and win the game. But we never gave ourselves a chance.

“Refereeing decisions? I’m not going to go on about the referee because that would take away from a poor display. I would just be making an excuse, but two penalties is really poor from us.”

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/...ason-1.1050827

Celtic 1 - 3 Rangers

Lennon had issued a veiled warning to the referee, Willie Collum, who was taking charge of his first Glasgow derby, on Friday. Sadly for Celtic's manager, Collum proved the main post-match discussion point after his decision to award Rangers a dubious second-half penalty, which Kenny Miller scored to earn a 3-1 lead.

"It looked soft to me," Lennon said of the penalty, given after Kirk Broadfoot tumbled over the Celtic defender Daniel Majstorovic. "If you look at him [Collum], I'm not sure he saw it so I don't know why he has given it. He has a lot of questions to answer."

Lennon was riled that the Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch, already on a booking at that juncture, was not dismissed for a challenge on Georgios Samaras. "I want to know why McCulloch was still on the pitch after a blatant obstruction when we were breaking," Celtic's manager added. "I'm not going to go on about the referee because I have my own problems regarding the team but you have to get the big decisions right and there's another big decision that has gone against us. I will be asking for an explanation."

Smith believed the home side's concentration on the referee in the preamble to today's game was unwarranted. In what is merely their latest battle with the Scottish Football Association, Celtic had written to complain about the performance of the officials during last weekend's win at Dundee United, an issue which became public knowledge during the build-up to yesterday's encounter.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/24/celtic-rangers-scottish-premier-league


At best Lennon is being one-eyed and wrong-headed; at worst he is in danger of displaying signs of a mental breakdown.
In the meantime, referee Collum has been subject to death threats from "members of the public" (Celtic fans) and last week's assistant Steven Craven, who got the decision right, has removed himself from the sport due to the intolerable pressure being placed on him by 'someone/something' (Celtic).
This is a turning-point for the game in Scotland. New SFA chief Stewart Regan has to tell Celtic and Lennon, by return post, that they will not encourage or tolerate this type of behaviour from a member club. Regardless of the implications for the game at club level, this sanctioned paranoia does little to calm a support notorious for violence, conspiracies and claiming permanent victim status.
If the asociation does not stick up for their officials it seems likely that refs' chief Dallas and some of their senior members may have to consider matters themselves.
People having to consider their career is one thing; let's not wait until tragedy strikes and an official or his family have to say goodbye to something more important.



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

COLLUM DEATH THREATS

http://davidleggat-leggoland.blogspot.com/
HUGH DALLAS was probably the least surprised man in Scotland to learn Willie Collum had been subjected to death threats in the wake of Rangers 3-1 victory over Celtic at Parkhead.

After all, Dallas, at Parkhead in his refereeing heyday, was felled by a coin which left him with blood pouring from a wound and needing stitches, when he took control of the Celtic shame game in May 1999 which Rangers won to take the title.

And afterwards, after he had reached what he believed to be the sanctuary of his own home, and was in the bosom of his wife and family, a brick was sent crashing through one of his house windows.

More recently, Steven Craven, the assistant who was involved in referee Dougie McDonald's about turn on that penalty award to Celtic against Dundee United, has quit the game following reports that he too had been threatened, and his two sons verbally abused.

It is amazing that on the day UEFA President Michel Platini, who had been Celtic's guest at the Old Firm game, was speaking out about the need for clubs and supporters alike to respect referees, Collum should have had to call in the police.

There was also, according to the Keith Jackson's latest outstanding exclusive in the Daily Record, a sectatrian nature to the threats, though how that worked is a bit of a mystery.

Collum is clearly a man of deep convictions and teaches Reilgious Education at the Cardinal Newman School in Bellshill.

That he should be subjected to this - and I think we can safely assume it wasn't Rangers fans upset at his decision not to send off Anthony Stokes - is, as the Scottish Football Association rightly says, "behaviour which is abhorent and has no place in football."

But going even further back than Dallas being assaulted on the field and then attacked inside his own house, there is a pattern which has developed over the years.

I recall that when linesman George McBride flagged Jorge Cadette controversially offside in an Old Firm game at Ibrox, what followed appeared an organised campaign to blacken his name and call his integrity into question.

And during the same era there was the strange case of Jim McCluskey and the private investigators.

I was at Old Trafford on the day the story broke, and in those pre-internet days, knew nothing about it until my old chum, the late Jim Blair of the Daily Record, arrived with  a copy of that day's paper which carried the tale.

It was to the effect that one of the leading lights and best known names within the Celtic Supporters Association had hired a private eye to follow McCluskey and try to dig some dirt on him ahead of an Old Firm League Cup Final.

In the media room my many English colleagues soon gathered round to read this extraordinary story and their reaction was to hoot with laughter and derision at both the petty nature of such a support, and its sinister aspect.

I've got a pal who was based in Manchester with a national daily back then, and who still operates as a reporter in the city, who often recalls it and chortles. The image of Celtic, which the club always appear so keen to project in a good way south of the border, took a battering in England over the McCluskey episode.

But coming up to date, and examining what has happened to Collum, it is worth recalling the words which were so carefully delivered by Walter Smith after his team's triumph.

According to Smith, it was wrong to put so much pressure on the official in the build up, with the Rangers manager adding tellingly, that this was the second time in the days prior to the last three Old Firm encounters  this had happened.

Dougie McDonald suffered before the game in February, which Rangers won, and what appeared on the official Celtic webite was branded as "cowardly" by SFA president George Peat.

As I have already revealed, when the same Celtic website, questioned a  decision in that match by McDonald, saying no "fair minded man could agree it was right," the clear implication was that the referee was not fair. Not impartial. Not unbiased.

Therefore, he was, unfair, partial and biased.

Yet, when this was referred to Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie's General Purposes Committee, it decided a censure was appropriate, and under Petrie's orders, the decision was kept secret until I revealed it just prior to Sunday's match.

Scottish football supporters in general should be indebted to the Daily Record's Keith Jackson, whose fine reporting skills uncovered the death threats to 31-year-old family man Collum, and his kids.

And a debt from all fans is also owed to Mark Guidi who, first in the Record and then 24 hours later in the Sunday Mail, produced exclusives about the threats to Craven and his sons, and how he was poised to quit.

New SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has indeed walked into the eye of the storm at a crucial time for the future of football in Scotland.

If referees and their assistants are not allowed to go about their buisness of being without fear or favour during the match, because they are in terror for their own safetly and that of their children afterwards, then the jig is up

Indeed, not only is there  something rotten at the core of Scottish football, but Scottish society in general.

Perhaps it is not so much a a footballing mess for Regan to try and sort out, as a bigger one, relating to a broken society in Scotland which needs some sort of intervention from Alex Salmond.

Unless the first minister elects to sing dumb, for fear of losing votes in the Scottish election coming up in May.

Official resigns after his children threatened by Celtic fans


The Scottish Football Association fears further resignations from referees and officials after Steven Craven, the assistant referee who overturned a penalty award to Celtic during their game at Dundee Unitednine days ago, quit today.
The level of abuse Craven has received for that intervention has led him to end his refereeing career, the SFA admitted tonight. "I can confirm that I have met with the relevant match officials and members of the referee departments regarding the events that occurred during the recent match between Dundee United and Celtic," said Stewart Regan, the SFA's chief executive. "I can also confirm that Steven Craven has tendered his resignation and will no longer officiate in the professional game. I hope to conclude the investigation within the next 48 hours and will make further comment at that time."
The SFA believes Craven may not be the last to adopt that stance, with worries growing within Hampden Park over continually negative scrutiny of referees. Kenny Clark, a former top-flight official in Scotland, has claimed that his ex-colleagues have been "receiving letters with razor blades in them and having their windows smashed" by irate fans.
Celtic have made their displeasure with decisions plain recently. The referee for Sunday's Old Firm derby, Willie Collum, was castigated by the club's manager Neil Lennon for awarding a dubious penalty to Rangers. The SFA has thus far not publicly backed Collum over his performance.

Celtic fans target officials Children

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic/8087076/Referee-targeted-after-Old-Firm-clash.html

The 31-year-old made his debut in the fixture and was criticised by Celtic manager Neil Lennon for awarding Rangers a penalty in the second half of the 3-1 win for the visitors.

The official reportedly answered a number of phone-calls at his Lanarkshire home with the caller threatening to "go after him and his wife and children".

It is understood that Collum reported the calls to the police but turned down the offer of protection outside his home.

SFA spokesman Darryl Broadfoot told the Daily Record: "Willie received a number of threatening calls at his home on Sunday night, one of which was taken by his wife. This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football."


Death threat calls made to referee's Wife & Children

OLD Firm ref Willie Collum received chilling death threats just hours after taking charge of the powder-keg Glasgow derby on Sunday.
The shaken official answered a number of sinister phone-calls at his Lanarkshire home with the caller threatening to "go after him and his wife and children".
It's understood Collum reported the calls to the police but turned down the offer of protection outside his home. The 31-year-old outraged Celtic manager Neil Lennon by awarding Rangers a penalty in the second half of the top of the table showdown.
Last night Collum's SFA bosses confirmed that he had been the target of death threats and added that there was a sectarian undertone to the calls .
Spokesman Darryl Broadfoot said: "Willie received a number of threatening calls at his home on Sunday. night, one of which was taken by his wife .
"This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football."
The threats comes as several top officials are believed to be considering their futures because of the intense scrutiny they are being placed under.
Linesman Steven Craven resigned yesterday after being caught up in a furore over a decision to deny Celtic a penalty at Dundee United.
Dougie McDonald, who was in charge of that game, has also told his bosses of his increasing discontent with the pressure being puton our top whistlers.

----------------------------------------------------

The following messages were posted on Celtic fans' message board http://www.thehuddleboard.com/hb/ on 25/10/10

Originally Posted by bigman204 
Someone phoned his house last night threatening to kill his wife and children, so he told the class today.

Originally Posted by RyzaBhoy 
bang out of order to bring his wife n kids into it. hes fair game though

Originally Posted by bigman204 
The police were going to stand outside his house all night but he didn't want that.

Originally Posted by TRA_GHEARR_BHOY 
Thats out of order, tbf threatening to kill him would have been enough.

Originally Posted by Haywire 
I hope the poofy looking **** dies. The Sun can print this. He looks like some **** you would not let watch yer kids.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Celtic fans in the dock over attack on officials

Celtic could face a probe from the SPL and SFA after missiles were thrown onto the pitch at Tannadice in the aftermath of Dougie McDonald’s penalty U-turn.
After having it pointed out to him by one of his assistants, the referee picked up a lighter that was tossed from the stand housing the travelling support, and will include the incident in his match report.
Tayside police claim chestnuts and coins were also lobbed on, and that a number of Celtic fans were ejected.
A spokesman said: “It was a rowdy Celtic support in the stadium.
“Coins were thrown onto the pitch and, bizarrely, a number of conkers landed on the grass.
“The referee will be making a report and police are making further inquiries.”
However, after Neil Lennon’s face-to-face confrontation with fourth-official John McKendrick in the aftermath of McDonald’s decision, which led to the ref being called over to speak to Lennon, it is understood no further action will be taken against the manager.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Celtic supporters mock rival fans death

SICK bigots started a Facebook page poking fun at tragic Cambuslang man Garry Lynch.
The vile profile, called ‘Gadger The Badger’ mocked his death from a brain haemorrhage.
One profile update reads: “Sore head tonight folks, feels like its about to explode, oh wait...”
Despite numerous complaints, the page remained online for nearly seven months.
It wasn’t until the Reformer intervened that it was taken down.
The page also contained sectarian terms such as ‘Hun’ and made disparaging remarks about ex-Gers players Paul Gascoigne, Ian Durrant, the late Davie Cooper, and Falklands War veteran, Simon Weston.
The profile was set up in March this year and had 56 friends, some of whom had posted disgusting messages.
The site, which was littered with spelling mistakes and included doctored pictures of Garry, described him as “currently dead”, and suggested that he had gone to hell.
Garry was only 51 when he died in February last year. He was a popular figure in Cambuslang and an avid follower of Cambuslang Rangers, as well as the Ibrox club.
He rarely, if ever, missed a Glasgow Rangers game, from the first team to youths, and was well known on internet forums and at Rangers functions around the globe.
In the summer, the Ibrox club sent an under-19 team to Somervell Park when Cambuslang Rangers organised a tournament in his memory.
Garry’s friends and family were said to be devastated about the page.
Cambuslang Rangers boss, Alan Wardlaw, was a lifelong friend of Garry, and said he “wouldn’t even know where to start” describing how he felt after being shown screengrabs of the website by the Reformer.
He added: “Most of what I want to say is unprintable.
“These are the kind of people that go about these days thinking it’s funny to make a joke about someone’s death. It’s reprehensible.”
The Reformer’s Cambuslang Rangers correspondent, Jim Logan, said he was disappointed the profile had stayed up for so long: “When the Facebook profile was pointed out to me, I was left raging. How could anyone do such a thing? I'm all for football banter and rivalry but this was just an insult of a very decent person and his family.
“Despite numerous e-mails to Facebook developers, from as early as Sunday, you were just sent around and around in the world of automated email responses. By Monday and Tuesday, there were many discerning voices on various threads all stating they too had called for the deletion of the profile.”
Facebook said the profile was removed because it violated policies on using fake names, saying it was profile rather than an actual page.
They said: “People set up profiles on Facebook to connect with the people and the things that they like just as we do in real life. These must be based on real identity and people are verified by the connections that they make.
“This real name culture also leads to greater accountability and a safer and more trusted environment for our users. It’s a violation of our policies to use a fake name or operate under a false identity, and we encourage people to report anyone they think is doing this, either through the report links we provide on the site or through the contact forms in our help centre.
“We provide users with report links on every page of the site and have a dedicated user operations team that reviews these reports and takes action as necessary. The most serious reports are reviewed within 24 hours.”

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Celtic 'supporters' - "Uniquely fascist"


"Of one thing there can be no doubt, however. Glasgow Celtic 'supporters' who participated in the mayhem and peddle a uniquely Irish fascism… "This is Ireland's equivalent of the National front." 

Quote from Hot Press magazine, sold in Republic of Ireland

Monday, October 11, 2010

Celtic - In the beginning

These two reports from the "Scottish Athletic Journal" are interesting. It would suggest there was less emphasis placed on the charitable direction of the club than the casual observer may think. James Kelly did, of course, sign for Celtic. As an amateur, it was the sensible thing to do; play for a club based near the pub you have just taken over.

“Scottish Athletic Journal”


7 February, 1888

“It has been said that Kelly, the probable International half-back, has been offered a place in the new East-End club the Glasgow Celtic.”


14 February, 1888

“A club composed exclusively of Irishmen, and Scotchmen of Irish parentage, has been started in the East End somewhat similar to the Hibernians in Edinburgh. The name of the new club is to be “The Glasgow Celtic Athletics.” A ground has already been secured in Dalmarnock Road, and it is to be called Dalmarnock Park. They have taken it on lease for five years at a rent of £30 a year. It is a splendid field, with plenty of scope, and includes a couple of pitches, one being for practice. There are to be two stands – now in course of erection. The club intend to draft the best players from the surrounding clubs. Of course the players must be Irish or of Irish extraction. They mean to have an eleven second to none. An effort will be made to open the ground at the end of the present month, and if a fixture can possibly be arranged between a Glasgow club and Hibernians, these clubs will be the first to compete on the ground. As the club has influential supporters and no lack of means, the necessary guarantee will be forthcoming. Failing a fixture with either of the above clubs, some other notable teams will be invited for the preliminary match. A cinder track, 12 feet broad, runs round the field. The committee have held several meetings to discuss affairs in a hall in East Nile Street.”

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Police-make-150-mile-trip-charge-Celtic-fans-pre-season-football-violence/article-2708693-detail/article.html
Disorder among Celtic fans during the pre-season friendly at Sincil Bank.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THREE Celtic fans have been charged with public order offences after Lincolnshire Police officers travelled 150 miles to find them.
Football intelligence officers yesterday made the trip to Carlisle and charged Shaun Conway, 20, Gary Watt, 23, and Jordan Dever, 26, with public order offences.
The charges were brought in relation to violence and disorder which broke out in Lincoln when Lincoln City played Celtic in a friendly match on July 24.
It is alleged they were involved in a brawl at the Golden Cross in High Street.
And it has brought the number of people arrested from the day to 27.
Lincolnshire Police football intelligence officer Andy Pearson spoke to the Echo on the journey back to Lincoln.
"We are proactive in making arrests after the fact and people should realise they may not get away with it just because they were not arrested on the day," he said.
"They were identified from enquiries and CCTV footage and we did stop checks shortly after the disorder."
The men, who are all from the Glasgow area, agreed to travel to Carlisle to meet the officers.
This was because English officers do not have the power of arrest in Scotland.
As reported in the Echo, 20 arrests were initially made when trouble blew up in the High Street.
Imps and Hoops fans were arrested for a mixture of assault and public order offences.
And dozens of police officers and riot vans were present for most of the day. In August, Stewart Stanley admitted to kicking another man before trading punches with him during the High Street violence.
The Scotsman was fined £335 at Lincoln Magistrates Court, but spared from receiving a three-year football banning order.
He was spotted kicking a man who ran past him.
Stanley, who is from Glasgow, pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £15 surcharge.
Chief executive of Lincoln City Football ClubDave Roberts, said: "We have always worked quite closely with Lincolnshire Police and the courts on a zero tolerance approach.
"As a result Lincoln City has always been and stays a safe, family environment.
"Lincolnshire Police are very supportive of us."

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Celtic supporting SPL players anti-protestants outburst

Two Aberdeen FC stars have posted apparently sectarian comments on a social networking website.

Michael Paton and Zander Diamond left comments on Facebook insulting Protestants, it emerged last night.

Aberdeen Football Club has confirmed that the postings have now been removed and the players “spoken to”.

The messages were posted on Paton’s Facebook page on September 16 – the day of the Pope’s open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

Diamond, 25, the club’s vice-captain, referred to the pontiff “running oer prods in his popemobile”.

Paton, 21, replied “aye and them going on fire in turnin into dust hahah”.

Last night, the comments were condemned by the Catholic Church in Scotland, which said the club should deal with the players “firmly”.

Spokesman Peter Kearney said: “Ultimately, the fight against sectarianism and bigotry has to be dealt with by Aberdeen Football Club. It is to be hoped that they will deal firmly with these players.”
Dismayed

He added: “The concern must remain that the underlying motivation has not been questioned simply by removing these comments from the page. There does seem to be a deeper intolerance.”

Chris Crighton, editor of Dons fanzine The Red Final, said fans would be “dismayed” by the players’ comments.

“It winds me up that footballers even have these web pages – it is just asking for trouble,” he said.

“They should know they are public figures, and anything they put in a public forum like that is going to attract greater attention than if anyone else was to do it.

“Clubs like Aberdeen, who have set their stall out to bring young players into the first team, really need to make players aware of what they can and cannot do. There is an element of responsibility on them to be beyond reproach and to be seen to be beyond reproach.”

Mr Crighton added Diamond’s comments were particularly disappointing. “You are looking at someone who captained the team last Saturday,” he said. “He is one of the senior figures among the current squad, and he should know better.”

Last night, a club spokes-man said: “We have dealt with it internally and the threads have been removed.

“The players have been spoken to.”

It is not the first time Dons players have attracted attention for content posted online.

Two years ago, Diamond was warned about his behaviour by the team’s manager at the time, Jimmy Calderwood, after photos of the defender sporting Celtic regalia appeared on another social networking site.

Diamond has never hidden his support for the Glasgow side, but was spoken to by Calderwood after photos were posted on his girlfriend’s Bebo page of him posing with a Hoops cake, card and headband to mark his birthday.
Offensive

Only months earlier, fellow Don Chris Maguire faced claims he posted offensive and derogatory remarks about two Rangers players on a friend’s Bebo page.

The alleged remarks were directed at Barry Ferguson and Allan Hutton, who have both since left Rangers.

The striker denied any involvement in the comments, and said they were posted by someone else who had accessed his site.

The comments were posted three days before Aberdeen played Rangers in a heated match, where Ferguson grabbed Maguire by the throat after appearing to have fouled the Scotland under-21 star.

At the time, a spokesman for Aberdeen said the player knew the comments were “totally unacceptable”, but maintained someone else had used his account.
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