‘We’ll deal with totally unacceptable IRA chants’, Celtic chief warns fans

Peter Lawwell said “embarrassing” chants about the Irish republican paramilitary group were deemed “totally and utterly unacceptable” by officials, and stressed that the club would “deal with” the problem.

Mr Lawwell’s comments were welcomed by the Scottish Government, although he was criticised by some fans, who argued that he should focus on football.

His remarks came at Celtic’s annual general meeting yesterday – an event usually reserved for on-the-field matters.

However, a series of questions made clear the ongoing concerns about fans’ behaviour and contentious legislation proposed by the Scottish Government to tackle sectarianism.

Addressing supporters and shareholders, Mr Lawwell outlined his zero tolerance approach when asked about the “unacceptable singing” among sections of the club’s support.

He said: “I don’t think it’s significant at Celtic Park, but it’s there on occasions. It’s more significant among our away support. These chants which mention and glorify the Provisional IRA are totally and utterly unacceptable.

“One, they are wrong and should not be sung, and they also give those who wish to categorise Celtic with other clubs an opportunity.

“It’s embarrassing to the club and damages the club. It also embarrasses the majority of our supporters. We will deal with it.

“We have dealt with it very successfully at Celtic Park, where it’s almost eradicated. We will do all we can to finally make sure it doesn’t happen here. And, likewise [at] away [games], we will take all the actions within our power to do that.”

Mr Lawwell emphasised that such behaviour threatened to undermine Celtic’s reputation, but said some fans reported those who tried to sing such songs – the club was “inundated” with complaints from supporters following the recent 2-0 defeat by Hearts.

Since then, Lothian and Borders Police have launched an investigation into allegations of the “singing of sectarian songs” at the SPL tie at Tynecastle on 2 October.

Mr Lawwell did not outline the nature of the action the club would take against anyone found singing Provisional IRA songs, but under Celtic’s rules of unacceptable conduct, such people could face sanctions such as an indefinite ban from fixtures.

Outgoing chairman John Reid, also at the AGM, said the proposed government legislation warranted greater scrutiny, as it held “real dangers”.

The former Labour minister said: “There are elements of present legislation which would be useful, such as internet hatred. There are already laws to criminalise sectarian behaviour and racism. And people will wonder why they haven’t been implemented when we are bringing in new laws.”

Mr Reid, who is stepping down as club chairman after four years, added: “Some politicians say we need the new law as the existing law only refers to one side. This is wrong. They only penalise guilty. Those who break the law should be held to account.

“I think there are real dangers in present proposals. They must be looked at very carefully and remedied, as we don’t want to make [the] position worse.”

The AGM was subject to widespread debate among Celtic fans on social networking sites, where some condemned Mr Lawwell’s stance. One Twitter user, scottbhoy, wrote: “lawell [sic] should be addressing things that matter, such as the lack of ambition and a world class manager.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “Any chanting in support of a terrorist organisation is offensive, it is wrong and it should not be tolerated, and we welcome the strong stand taken by Celtic.

“Bigoted and sectarian behaviour of all kinds is totally unacceptable in modern Scotland, and the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill gives the police and prosecutors the tools they have asked for in tackling such hate.

“The well-behaved majority of all clubs – who are the vast majority – have nothing to fear from a bill which will make Scottish football and society better.”