Rangers warn fans over famine song

Published on Wednesday 17 September 2008 00:32

RANGERS chief executive Martin Bain last night warned fans they could face arrest if they sing a song that refers to the Irish potato famine.

The issue of the so-called Famine Song has been raised with the Scottish Government by Ireland's Consul General Cliona Manahan.

The song contains the lines: "Why don't you go home, the famine's over, why don't you go home?" It was sung by some Rangers fans at the last Old Firm game, leading to a complaint by a Celtic fan to the Irish Embassy in London.

The famine, from 1845 to 1849, killed more than a million people and many Celtic fans are descended from Irish immigrants who fled the disaster.

On the Rangers website, Mr Bain said:

"The club is dutybound to inform supporters they may be subject to arrest as clearly it is in no one's interests for that to happen. The club would be utterly irresponsible if it did not advise supporters accordingly."

Adrian McQuillan, a Democratic Unionist politician, also stepped into the debate yesterday, criticising the Irish government.

He said Celtic fans sing offensive chants about the IRA and called on the Scottish football authorities to tackle the problem. He said: "I'm disappointed to hear the Irish government has been led up the garden path by a targeted internet campaign."