SPFL NEED TO STOP ASKING AND START DISCIPLINING SCOTLAND’S SHAME
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- May 10
- 3 min read
According to a BBC report this morning, The SPFL have written to Rangers demanding asking the club to explain the grossly offensive TIFO and the violence that it incited later on.
Bottles, vapes, lighters, Viljami Sinisalo rhymed off a list of the 30+ items throw at him, one of which hit him in the leg, last weekend.
This is the 4th game in a row at Ibrox where such thuggery has been seen and documented.
The Time For Asking Questions Is Over Scotland’s Shame Need Sanctioned Now
What explanation could Rangers possibly provide to the SPFL that would any different from any of the utterly ineffectual statements they’ve provided thus far?
Rangers have been given multiple opportunities by the SPFL to explain these actions, and also show what they will do to prevent recurrences.
Whatever answers Rangers may have given to date, they were either lies, or they were quickly discarded once the dust settled.
This is a pattern, a culture of thuggish behavior that has been tolerated, and at times even encouraged by the club.
Pretty much since they came into being in 2012, this version of Rangers has done everything they possibly can to foster a false sense of grievance, a siege mentality and an “it’s always someone else’s fault” approach to all their problems.
History has taught us, bullies don’t change their behavior when you appease them, or pander to their behavior. They respond to a smack in the jaw.
The Rangers support in 2012 acted like petulant children. Without any kind of meaningful disciplinary sanctions since then, Scotland’s Shame has now evolved into an increasingly violent, increasingly aggressive, fascist underclass.
As the disorder has increased, so too has the number of fans partaking in this disorder.
Again, that’s the way of bullies. They foster a mob mentality. It’s always easier for bystanders to play along with the bullies rather than call out such behavior.
After all, you know the police and stewards will do nothing, so why risk a belt in the mouth for doing the right thing?
This mob truly believe they are above the law, and the actions (or should I say the lack thereof) from the SPFL, Police Scotland and The Scottish Government have only encouraged this behavior.
It has clearly got worse over time. It will keep getting worse for as long as there is no meaningful punitive action from the authorities.
Stadium closures, away fan bans, massive fines should all be on the table.
Actually, scrub that last one. If Rangers can’t even be bothered to pay the face painter, I have little faith they’ll pay any fines levied on them by The SPFL or anyone else.
For their part, Celtic need to make it clear there will be no more tickets taken for Ibrox and no more tickets offered to Rangers fans for Celtic Park until this is settled once and for all.
The SPFL have shown they will only do something when they are bullied into it. Sadly, I think it’s time Celtic’s board started doing some bullying of their own.
If the SPFL won’t change their attitude willingly, then they must be made to change, or removed.
