Sectarianism and Bigotry

The reputations of both Rangers and Celtic Football Clubs suffer through being constantly linked with the religious divide, sectarianism and bigotry that blights Scotland and the West of Scotland in particular.

Apart from widely reported disorder in Sunderland following a testimonial match at Roker Park in 1993, and Prenton Park, Tranmere in 1998 following a Champions' League qualifying match against Shelbourne, the behaviour of Rangers' fans at home, away and abroad has generally been very good. It is especially gratifying to note that matches involving Rangers and Celtic have been relatively trouble-free since the Scottish Cup Final of 1980.

The Scottish Premier League match on 2nd May 1999, however, was livelier than most, principally because a Rangers victory would ensure that they won the Championship for the first time ever on Celtic soil. Mahe and Riseth of Celtic and Wallace of Rangers were ordered off; Rangers were awarded a penalty; 3 Celtic fans separately invaded the field towards the referee Mr Hugh Dallas; Mr Dallas was struck on the head with a coin thrown from the Celtic end of the ground and required medical attention.

Celtic FC were subsequently fined £45,000 by a Scottish Premier League Commission chaired by Lord McKay of Drumadoon, co-incidentally the former Lord Advocate who issued 'The Lord Advocate's Instructions to Chief Constables Regarding Incents During Sporting Events'.

Recent Initiatives by Rangers and Celtic and Others to Combat Racism, Sectarianism and Bigotry

• The Pride Over Prejudice Campaign |Info|
• The Celtic Social Charter |Info|
• The Rangers Ready to Learn Package |Info|
• Nil by Mouth |Info|
• Millennium Award Partnership |Info|
• Racial Equality Issues |Info|