GERS FANS FINED FOR KYOGO RACE TAUNTS
3 louts admit singing offensive song about Celtic’s Japanese ace
THREE Rangers fans who sang racist songs about Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi have been fined a total of £1550.
Ian McKenzie, 31, Mark Speirs, 27, and Dylan Devine, 26, were all filmed chanting about the 27-yearold Japanese footballer.
They were on a packed Rangers supporters’ bus travelling from East Kilbride to watch the club’s clash with Ross County at Dingwall last August.
McKenzie was recorded singing: “Furuhashi ate my dog, ate my dog. He sliced it, he diced it, he put it in a wok. Furuhashi ate my dog, ate my dog,” while punching his arm in the air. Speirs and Devine were captured changing the shape of their eyes to “mimic someone of Asian descent” while singing “let’s all do Kyogo”.
Depute fiscal John Coogan told the court: “This matter came to light as a consequence of a video recording which featured on a social media platform.”
McKenzie, of East Kilbride, Speirs, of Wishaw, Lanarkshire and Devine, of nearby Cleland, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by singing racist songs at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Speirs and Devine also admitted making a racist gesture. Sheriff Robert Vaughan fined McKenzie and Devine £450 each and Speirs £650.
Andy Brophy, defending McKenzie, said: “The consequences of this have been considerable.
“He received a final written warning from his employer because of the publicity surrounding this offence.”
Tom Watters, defending Speirs, said: “Someone started up the song and he joined in on the joke, albeit a joke which was inappropriate.”
Stephen MacBride, defending Devine, said: “He has supported Rangers for a number of years and has been banned indefinitely.”