Murray gets tough on sectarianism
Rangers chairman David Murray has launched an unequivocal attack on the sectarian element among the club’s supporters.
Murray wants to eradicate the anti-Catholic songs which can be heard at Ibrox on matchdays.
He told Rangers Media: “We have a proud history and heritage but this is not what gets us in trouble. It is the baggage of foul singing and sectarian references during and at the end of traditional Rangers songs which causes me and everyone at this club a problem. We can’t defend it and we must get rid of it.
“There is simply no place in Ibrox for the FTP brigade and those who would have us wading through Fenian blood.”
The phrase “FTP brigade” refers to derogatory comments about the Pope which some supporters add to the Tina Turner song “Simply The Best”.
That used to be the track played just before the teams came out on to the pitch but was withdrawn for a while.
It has since returned but in truncated form, with the part where the sectarian singing used to come missed out.
The Fenian blood reference occurs in the song “The Billy Boys”.
Murray, who was unhappy with the way the club had been portrayed in a BBC Panorama documentary earlier in the month, added: “We have tried to be proactive in terms of the Ibrox atmosphere by encouraging fans to sing traditional club songs without any additional sectarian lyrics.
“These things take time but at least we are trying through a variety of platforms – most importantly by educating the next generation. I am positive we are heading in the right direction.”
Murray has issued two 10-point codes of conduct on the issue, one for club employees to follow and another for supporters.
