SFA say they’re not embarrassed by UEFA action
UEFA’s ban on Rangers fans for sectarian singing during Europa League ties brought shame on the club and Scotland.
SFA President Rod Petrie, however, has refuted suggestions it was “embarrassing” for the Association.
“Why would we be embarrassed? It was a competition run by UEFA,” he said.
“As the competition organiser, they have dealt with the bad behaviour and unacceptable conduct within the competition that they run.”
SFA president Rod Petrie has refuted suggestions the UEFA’s fan ban on Rangers was “embarrassing” for the Association.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon used the description ahead of his team’s trip to Ibrox for last Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
The Ibrox club had to close off 3,000 seats for the Europa League tie against Legia Warsaw after the European body ruled their fans were guilty of racist behaviour – specifically sectarian chanting – in an earlier tie against St Joseph’s.
UEFA have dished out a similar punishment for the Europa League group stage match against Feyenoord later this month after yet more sectarian singing from the travelling support for the first leg in Warsaw.
Yet while welcoming both the sanctions and the debate, Lennon was unimpressed the scrutiny was coming not from Scottish football’s ruling bodies – the SFA and the SPFL – but UEFA.
The response from Petrie, who took over as the SFA’s figurehead in the summer, was unequivocal.
“Why would we be embarrassed?” he said. “It was a competition run by UEFA.
“UEFA, as the competition organiser, have dealt with the bad behaviour and unacceptable conduct within the competition that they run.
“Equally, we look to the SPFL to take a similar approach and where there is unacceptable behaviour – and things which are patently wrong and unacceptable to the vast majority of people – we expect the SPFL to be working to eradicate that and we are very happy to do our part in working along with them.
“This has to be a collaborative approach where we work together to try to make sure the environment is as safe and as positive as it can be.
“We are not embarrassed by that. “We welcome the statements which came out of the club (Rangers), and welcome the statements which came forward from responsible fans groups.
“We want to work with them to improve things for everybody.”
Petrie argues the fan ban is just part of a process, albeit a very significant one.
“There are discussions that have been on-going,” he said.
“However, I think the events that took place, and obviously the punishment that’s been imposed by the organisation running the competition, has had an impact.
“It’s just another bit of momentum, another step along the way.
“I think there is a different attitude, that what was acceptable in the past is not acceptable going forward.
“And hopefully that is now helping to ensure a sea change within attitudes of people coming to games, and that in turn makes it the environment the best it can be for all the good supporters who want to come along to games and bring their kids.
“An environment in which they can cheer on their team and hopefully see success.
“It’s an opportunity for all of Scottish football to come together, to work together cohesively, share best practice and see what can be done to learn the lessons of the past.
“But more importantly, to make progress going forward.”
Petrie’s message is echoed by the Association’s new vice-president, Mike Mulraney, who believes a change in culture similar to that witnessed with the public’s perception of drink driving. is required.
“A big thing for me is getting rid of the term ‘90-minute bigot’ because I don’t recognise such a thing.
“I only recognise someone who is bigoted, who exports that feeling for 90 minutes.
“I think it’s an awareness I’d like people to consider – that when they do say things that in any other environment they wouldn’t, they need to stop and think.
“Ask themselves would they do that in front of their kids in Boots, or anywhere on the High Street, in their normal time?
“And if they wouldn’t, then they should also ask themselves if that’s how they’d want others to see them?
“So, yes, I do not think there’s such a thing as a 90-minute bigot.
“It’s only a bigot exporting their message and they shouldn’t be allowed to do it.”
READ ALAN BRAZIL’S VIEW OF THE SFA’S STANCE ON THE BACK PAGE OF POST MATCH