Hun - The Sectarian Myth.

A new campaign has been brought to my attention via twitter to make the use of the word "Hun" illegal. This campaign is based wholly on the myth that the use of this term is "sectarian" in their words "term of religious hatred, a derogatory and sectarian term for a protestant or those perceived to be protestant by supporters of other football teams".

This is in its basic form a lie and they know it. The campaign is a desperate grasp at a few remaining straws by an organisation trying desperately and failing to distance itself from a so called "small minority" of the Ibrox fan base who engage genuine sectarian behaviour, by throwing mud in the direction of other fans and hoping enough sticks that they can use to deflect from their in house problems by pointing in any direction and exclaiming 'look, they dae it tae' in the most petty and childish way.

The term Hun being used as a term for Rangers(1872 & 2012) fans and players has nothing to do with religion.

This is not however the first time this tactic has been deployed. In 2008 after Celtic played Aalborg a letter of complaint was sent to UEFA from a concerned person at the use of the chant 'NO HUNS IN EUROPE!' by Celtic fans. However UEFA responded: "With all respect to your personal feelings and impression, the terms you object to do not appear to be connected with racial abuse or discrimination." 

There are differing versions of the origin of the term Hun being used to describe this groups of people. The one which holds the most weight is that they were described by an English journalist in the early 1960's as "coming across the border like marauding huns." due to the destruction they had caused in the local area. This nor any other version I have seen of the term could be construed as religious in my opinion.

The best way to illustrate that religion is not a factor in who is and is not a Hun is to look at some of the most high profile players, players anyone who uses the term would tell youis one, for example Maurice Johnston: the first Roman Catholic to sign for Rangers is most definitely a hun. Novo, Mccann, Amoruso, Albertz, Andrews and more recently Mohsni and Jon Daly are all "Non Protestants" for want of a better term who are all without a shadow of a doubt Huns.

This campaign is a nonsense at base level and should be viewed as such but this being Scotland it will be used by lazy sports journalists to fill column inches and to create punchy attention grabbing headlines.

We expect nothing less, all we can do is stand our ground with the truth on our side.

Neil Lennon:The Perfect Hate Figure?

What is it about Neil Lennon that makes it so acceptable to hate him?  Is it his attitude, the way he carries himself, his temper even? Or is it simply that he is a Northern Irish Catholic man who is associated with Celtic Football Club.

My view is the later. The treatment of Neil Lennons over the last 13 years has been nothing short of despicable and it has been allowed to happen. Not only by the people who agree with it but also by those who write it off as "Banter".

Some people may think it excessive to include his association with Celtic as a "reason" or contributing factor to the treatment Neil Lennon receives but to me it is. Only today (1/2/14) Neil Lennon was verbally abused, spat at and had missiles thrown at him by Aberdeen fans at Tynecastle. Aberdeen fans who also no doubt idolise Niall McGinn, A Northern Irish Catholic man. McGinn of course also played for Celtic but not at the consistency of Lennon.

 This among other things is what leads me to believe that people in Scotland, not just Glasgow see Lennon individually as an acceptable target.

No other sports person in living memory has tolerated the level of threats, abuse, attacks, bombs, bullets, bigots or "banter" that Neil Lennon has in his time in Glasgow and the fact that he is still here speaks volumes of the man, of his love of football and his love of Celtic Football Club. Many would have turned their back on it all and for that alone he should be saluted.

For me something must be done and the SNP football bill is not the answer, bigotry is not a Glasgow problem or a West of Scotland problem, it is a national disgrace and this should be reflected in the policing of incidents such as today at Tynecastle, where were the FoCUS group so often on hand with their cameras and Handcuffs and Celtic park? Most likely kicking in a 13 year olds door for having a Green Brigade scarf in his bedroom, but in all seriousness this has gone on too long.

In Scotland in this day and age a man, regardless of nationality, religion, race or any other factor should be able to live his life and go about his business without fear of attack because of any of his beliefs. The individuals who are responsible for these attacks and other similar offences need to be dealt with severely. Maybe Police Scotland should adjust their focus (pun intended) and be more worried by this sort of thing rather than who is singing what song, just a thought.

I live in hope rather than expectation though.