Bradley (2014) Sectarianism, anti-sectarianism and Scottish football

Sectarianism in Scottish Football

  • Focus on ethnic and religious prejudice in Scottish football and society.

  • The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act was enacted in 2012, focusing primarily on sectarianism.

  • Major opposition from Celtic FC supporters, who view the law as targeting cultural expressions linked to Irish identity.

Historical Context

  • The term ‘sectarianism’ was rarely used before the 1980s-1990s in Scotland, despite existing ethnic and religious tensions.

  • Increased media attention on sectarianism has shaped public discourse, especially between Celtic and Rangers fans.

  • Rangers controversially had a historical policy against signing Catholic players until 1989, significantly impacting its identity as a football club.

Discriminatory Practices

  • Discrimination against Catholics has been prevalent, amplifying tension in football culture.

  • Notable incidents include the singing of anti-Irish songs by Rangers fans and hostile reception towards players of Irish descent, like Aiden McGeady.

  • Public manifestations of Catholic identity are often dismissed or met with hostility in Scottish football.

Media Representation

  • The Scottish media has played a critical role in framing sectarian discourse and tends to equate Celtic and Rangers' supporters as similarly problematic, obscuring power dynamics.

  • Language used in media narratives often fails to acknowledge the historical context of anti-Catholic sentiment, perpetuating stereotypes of both clubs.

  • Media treatment of sectarianism lacks sensitivity to the historical and relational aspects of religious and ethnic identities.

Conclusion

  • There is a need for a deeper understanding of sectarian prejudice in Scotland, recognizing its historical roots.

  • The term ‘sectarianism’ is critiqued for being a catch-all that overshadows specific ethnic and religious discrimination faced by the Irish Catholic community in Scotland.

  • Efforts should be made to address past injustices and analyze current practices to combat the entrenched prejudice within Scottish society and football culture.