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We have added this section to allow you to voice your opinions and ideas about bigotry in Scottish football. You can submit topics as well as comments. We're mainly looking for the positive stories / ideas of how to tackle bigotry at every level but we won’t shy away from tackling difficult topics.

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When is sectarianism not sectarianism?
[Phil from Donegal, Ireland on 25th December, 2007]

When it is anti-Irish racism. The abuse that Neil Lennon received at almost every ground while he played in the SPL was racist abuse (something UEFA took on board). Call it for what it is Scotland. It is acceptable to be, say an Italain Catholic in Scotland. What is unacceptable,a nd attarcts routine approbrium is being a member of the Irish diaspora. I know I made a wise move ten years ago when I brought my young family from Glasgow back home to Donegal. Here it is not a crime to be Irish.
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Tony from Ayrshire
As a Celtic fan I am glad to see this action as enjoy banter with my Rangers mates and hate getting stained when a minority from either side spoil it, the press thrive and feed on this make the minority bigger so they need to be responsible. Any when we are talking about responsiblilty it doesn't stop at the Old Firm! Aberdeen, Hearts fans know the bile they spout without repremand.
Michael from Glasgow
No doubt there is sectarian behaviour but we mustn't get hysterical. We must keep things in perspective. Fans of Hibernian gave Lennon stick. Was that sectarian (sorry, "racist")? In fact, Celtic fans gave Lennon so much stick that the player's father said he would never go back to Parkhead.
Zander from Falkirk
I think that to state being Irish is a crime is a little extreme.This type of abuse is dished out by the underarticulate minority that try to ruin every religion and/or sport because the have such a low mentality that they cant do anything else.The Irish people are very highly thought of by the Scots so do us a favour and remember that the minority should not ever be allowed to win anytime.
Fraser from Glasgow
Playing the race card was cheap when Martin O'Neill did it in Spain and it's cheap now. Was the booing and abuse (and actual bodily harm at Celtic Park) aimed at Fernando Ricksen anti-Dutch racism? Your post, bordering on the hysterical, is indicative of the paucity of rational, fact based discussion on this topic.
Big John from Kent
I have to disagree with you Phil. Barry Ferguson still gets viewed at every ground in Scotland bar Ibrox and has in the past received dogs abuse whilst playing for his country. I was also witness to Neil Lennon mouthing sectarian abuse towards Alex McLeish during an OF game some time back. It works both ways, so if it's any consolation, Neil isn't and wasn't alone.
Your James from Glasgow
What a load of nonsence Warped twisting of facts, typical of Celtic fans ability to distort the truth It does nothing to help the real issues on sectarianism Neil Lennon recieved abuse throughout the country for the type of player he was, I actually have a begrudging respect for Neil Lennon, he is a winner and doesn't hide that fact Players like that throughout the world always get that attention from opposition fans, Robbie Savage being one example If you want to do something constructive towards ending sectarianism I advise you to stop your false sense of victimhood
C Johnston (Hibs fan) from North Antrim, NI
What absolute garbage. If you visit any Hibs message board today (22/12/07) you'll see that the vast majority of Hibs fans have taken an 'over my dead body' stance on Lennon touting himself for the Hibs job left by John Collins. Are they racist too? Nonsense. He is strongly disliked among the Hibs support for his style of play and his behaviour. Misplaced victimhood does nothing to help the anti-bigotry debate.
Thurles Hibs from Tiobraid Arann
While Lennon undoubtedly attracted sectarian abuse from some quarters, many celtic fans fall into the trap of assuming all negativive feeling towards him is on account of his background, whn in fact he attracts abuse for the same reasons other footballers in the same mould do. I can assure you he received dogs abuse at hibs, much as Ferguson does and not a word of it sectarian.
Gavin McCann from East Kilbride
I hate to say this but in terms of Scots being anti-Irish, it's often swept under the carpet. This country has ridiculed and abused the Irish for centuries (NO CATHOLICS HERE). If anyone says anything we're being "hysterical"
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