MORE DAILY RECORD LIES ABOUT CELTIC FANS, CLUB REMAIN SILENT
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Not every Celtic fan has a strong opinion on the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine, but many of us do. With such a fiery issue, one that literally concerns the lives of thousands of people, you’d expect our press to be, at least somewhat, sensitive when talking about it.
Not the Daily Record. Showing once again that there is no level they won’t stoop too, the suffering of the people of Palestine is the latest thing to be weaponized against Celtic fans by this utter disgrace of a newspaper.
No, Celtic Fans Weren’t Banned for Waving a Palestinian Flag
Something as straightforward as, “we are against the carpet bombing of a country that has little if any ability to defend itself” shouldn’t really be a controversial issue. But in today’s online cesspit of culture wars and social media grandstanding, it is.
And to give them their due, no body does performative outrage and grandstanding quite like the Daily Record when it comes to attacking Celtic fans.
I mentioned in my piece the other day that the image of “pints flying”, shock and outrage, with which the Record tried to present the unacceptable, but ultimately inconsequential actions of a very small group of Celtic fans, was a gross exaggeration. I’d go so far as to call it slander.
I estimated, based on the video footage I saw, that about 10 Celtic fans were probably involved. Turns out it was only half that amount, as Como’s Police Chief confirmed today that 5 Celtic fans had been issued with stadium bans for “provoking the Ajax supporters”.
However, what is vital to note here is the difference between the Daily Record and the official Como Police account of what exactly constituted this “provocation”.
The Daily Record’s Headline makes their stance quite clear: “Five Celtic fans slapped with Italian stadium bans for 'provoking opposition' by waving Palestine flags”
You probably won’t be surprised to hear that this sits in direct contradiction to what the actual police statement says.
One of the key tenets of basic journalistic competency is to respect primary sources.
What are primary sources? Well basically it means any official comment on an event or an individual’s actions by an official agency, be they government, police, judiciary, etc.
In other words, Como’s Police Chief is the primary source in this case. So, his word should be considered gospel in this case, unless someone can present conclusive proof that what he has said is untrue.
Here is what Como’s Chief of Police, Marco Cali actually said:
“The bans for the Celtic fans were issued for provocation, not for the Palestinian flag itself.”
I’d call that a pretty clear cut and direct statement, not open for interpretation or the application of “Alternative viewpoints" by the Daily Record.
For the avoidance of doubt, Cali elaborated further.
He continued: “The central issue was their behavior during the match. They came down from the stands and approached the Dutch fans, who were very calm, with the sole intent of provoking.
“Their behavior was gratuitous and provocative, and we must say, we cannot accept this because it risks inflaming tempers.
“The stadium is a place with rules. And these impose on the authorities the obligation to intervene if symbols with political connotations, not football-related ones, are brought inside.
“But I reiterate, the bans were not because of the Palestinian flag.”
So, there you have it, the primary source in this case has said not once, but twice, that the reason for the stadium bans was NOT the presence of Palestinian flags.
So, I’ll be equally direct in my statement on this: The Daily Record are lying. They selectively edited Police Chief Cali’s comments to fit their own preconceived agenda which has been obvious from the moment this story initially broke.
Celtic have said nothing on this, and will say nothing on this. However, we as fans need to realize, there can be no doubt any more. The Daily Record is an enemy of the working class in general, and especially of Celtic supporters.
I reiterate my call for them to be banned from Celtic Park.