GLASGOW RANGERS

winning Trophies Introduction – Sectarianism in Scottish FootballIn recent years, football worldwide has undergone several dramatic changes. Television has made the sport one of the most popular in the world, with viewers able to tune in to watch players from different countries compete for honours. These changes have also affected Scottish Football, with a great deal of money flooding in from television rights. However, football in Scotland has not benefited as greatly as countries such as England, Spain and Italy. One key problem that some argue holds Scottish football back from developing is the issue of sectarianism and religious hatred. While the problem is not as great as in countries such as Bosnia or Northern Ireland, it remains an important issue, one that society as a whole and football in particular, is attempting to rid itself of. Some feel that sectarianism is a particular problem for Scotland because the two main protagonists in the saga are the two biggest clubs, Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic. Throughout their respective histories, each club has come to represent the two sides of the sectarian divide. Celtic, wearing green and white, represent the Irish Catholic group, stereotypically supporting Irish Republicanism and displaying allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. Rangers, wearing red, white and blue have come to represent the British Protestant group, supporting Unionist causes and often displaying more allegiance to England than Scotland. A proposed visit to Carfin Grotto by Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, had to be cancelled amid fears that the previous days Rangers vs. Celtic clash could spark sectarian violence. MSP Donald Gorrie felt that the issue was of such significance that he proposed a bill, outlawing sectarian behaviour. In recent times, Rangers and Celtic have both intimated their desire to play in the English Premiership, one of the most lucrative leagues in the world. Both clubs recognise the need to shed their sectarian images in order to be accepted into this league and have recently made dramatic inroads into eradicating the problem. However, the cloud of sectarianism still hangs over their heads and it is important that one examines the social and historical factors that contribute to sectarianism in Scottish football in order to firstly understand it and then contribute to the potential resolution of the problem