Letters: Wider sectarianism investigation needed

John Kelly's one-sided take on sectarianism in Scotland (Perspective, 13 May) is typical of those who wish to set arbitrary limits to the debate over this subject.

The despicable campaign against Neil Lennon should not, first, prevent us keeping in mind assaults on, and death threats issued over the years to a catalogue of Rangers players such as Peter Lovenkrands, Nacho Novo, and Allan McGregor; and, second, lead us to narrow down the investigation into what causes and sustains sectarian attitudes according to a particular political agenda.

A good example of such narrowing down is the refusal of those such as Kelly to extend the debate to the matter of separate schooling. While much nonsense is talked about Catholic schools, the perception that they perpetuate a tribal identity in Scotland merits full discussion and appraisal. Scotland and Northern Ireland are unique in that Catholic schools form the vast bulk of faith schools and are arguably privileged. In England and elsewhere there are many different types of faith school.

In Northern Ireland the increasingly strong lobby in favour of integrated education may have things to teach us.

Indeed, given the pronounced Irish dimension to Old Firm animosities and the persistence of both sets of fans in singing about the Northern Ireland troubles, I have a suggestion about how to take the issue forward.

Why not conduct an investigation into the subject through the medium of the British-Irish Council so that Scotland's partners in this body, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, might give us their input?

Conveniently, the secretariat of this body is now based in Edinburgh.

Graham Walker

School of Politics

Queen's University of Belfast

The hypocrisy of Celtic blaming "society" for the latest outrage at an Old Firm game (one moron attacking Celtic's manager while Celtic fans rioted - the latter point largely glossed over) beggars belief (your report, 13 May)

Let's be clear about this: if this is a societal problem, it's one they and partners in grime Rangers have encouraged for profit.

For all the lip service to stamping out bigotry, no other sports clubs in the British isles pander to sectarianism and primeval hatred like the Old Firm - where the interest is less the score in the game than settling old scores from bigots' mythology.

Let's cut the pretence. Flute tunes and songs about the Irish potato famine play over the tannoys before matches. Some players appear to have been signed less for their ability as sportsmen than for their ability to create on-field aggro to keep fans' bile risen.

It's little wonder police and local A&E departments are overwhelmed clearing up the carnage afterwards.

The real problem with society is those funding it from spectator to shareholder to help perpetuate this evil. Bigots Inc should have no place in 21st-century Scotland.

Mark Boyle

Linn Park Gardens

Johnstone, Renfrewshire

What a distortion of reality you report on the Neil Lennon affair: Celtic FC blames all of Scottish society, backed up by your Perspective contributor John Kelly's claim that "Scotland's shame is alive and kicking".

The percentage of our population likely to be moved to violence through either football or religion is infinitesimal. The fact that these events, distasteful though they be, took place here does not mean that they arose from national characteristics.

Regrettably, your editorial comment is equally far-fetched: you equate a single instance at one football ground as evidence that the problem "is now seen in the eyes of millions to be Scotland-wide".

Whether this refers to the religious or to the violent element involved at Tynecastle, that is an overwhelming exaggeration.

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent, East Lothian