CHARITY BLASTS GERS KIT AD SONG
Fans hit back after antisectarian group’s ‘dog whistle’ allegations
AN ANTI-BIGOTRY charity has criticised Rangers over an “offensive” tune played in an advert.
Nil By Mouth condemned the use of a terrace anthem on the Four Lads Had a Dream promo for the club’s new anniversary shirt.
They claimed the music to which the song was written is linked to sectarianism.
But fans reacted furiously, insisting the use of the song is “purely innocent Rangers history”.
The row came after the Light Blues released a special edition 150th anniversary shirt with sportswear brand Castore, and a new advert premiered on the history of Rangers featuring the song.
Nil By Mouth said the tune is too closely linked to The Famine Song.
The song – sung to the tune of the Beach Boys’ Sloop John B – has been ruled to be racist by a Scots court.
It led to a string of arrests following a march in Glasgow last month.
The charity criticised Rangers on Twitter after highlighting the club’s Everyone, Anyone campaign – reinforcing a “zero tolerance” approach to discrimination on and off the pitch.
Nil By Mouth said: “The laudable mission statement from Rangers’ Everyone, Anyone campaign. The question the club has to answer
“It’s beyond comprehension that anyone at the club would think was a good idea. This is a song that results in criminal prosecutions – most recently in September.
“By doing this Rangers aren’t showing ‘zero tolerance’ but ‘zero responsibility’ and that can’t be allowed to happen in 21st-century Scotland.”
Rangers fans were quick to defend the club. One posted on social media: “Four Lads Had A Dream is a staple song at Ibrox and is sung every week. There is nothing offensive about it.”
Another said: “This is a ridiculous statement. It’s the tune of Four Lads Had A Dream for a kit with a fourlads theme. It’s purely innocent Rangers history.”
Rangers have been approached for a comment.