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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/jan/22/police-investigate-rangers-fan-site-over-threats-to-journalists
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Police investigate Rangers fan site over threats to journalists | Police investigate Rangers fan site over threats to journalists |
(35 minutes later) | |
Further to my posting yesterday, about Rangers fans launching a petition calling for a BBC sports reporter to be axed, the Glasgow-based Herald reports that police are now investigating its organisers. | Further to my posting yesterday, about Rangers fans launching a petition calling for a BBC sports reporter to be axed, the Glasgow-based Herald reports that police are now investigating its organisers. |
The change.org petition is in the name of a group (quite possibly, just an individual) called Bears Fightback. A blog with the same name was also launched. It was complaints about its content - since deleted - that prompted police action. | The change.org petition is in the name of a group (quite possibly, just an individual) called Bears Fightback. A blog with the same name was also launched. It was complaints about its content - since deleted - that prompted police action. |
Written in the first person, it included what could be deemed as threats to journalists regarded as making unfair comments about Rangers. The blogger complained that the club had been “battered” by “the governing bodies, the media, politicians and opposition fans.” It continued: | Written in the first person, it included what could be deemed as threats to journalists regarded as making unfair comments about Rangers. The blogger complained that the club had been “battered” by “the governing bodies, the media, politicians and opposition fans.” It continued: |
“This blog, therefore, has been set up to defend the honour of the club and its supporters. To all the haters heed this warning. Your articles and comments are being noticed... If the club are unwilling to take action then we will. | “This blog, therefore, has been set up to defend the honour of the club and its supporters. To all the haters heed this warning. Your articles and comments are being noticed... If the club are unwilling to take action then we will. |
We will look into the history of each and every individual or company embroiled in this hate fest, and we will look to hurt you in any way legally possible. | We will look into the history of each and every individual or company embroiled in this hate fest, and we will look to hurt you in any way legally possible. |
If you lose your business, your home, your husband or wife, your children or your freedom, don’t say you weren’t warned.” | If you lose your business, your home, your husband or wife, your children or your freedom, don’t say you weren’t warned.” |
BBC Scotland decided not to send staff to report on Rangers’ matches or press conferences after the club banned one of its reporters, Chris McLaughlin. | BBC Scotland decided not to send staff to report on Rangers’ matches or press conferences after the club banned one of its reporters, Chris McLaughlin. |
He was originally banned in August last year on the grounds that he filed “misleading and unbalanced reports” about Rangers.. The BBC responded by boycotting the club. That ban/boycott lasted for a month until a compromise was reached. | |
A second ban on McLaughlin was imposed on 11 January and the BBC reacted as before, by imposing a boycott. The corporation said it would rely on agency coverage instead. | A second ban on McLaughlin was imposed on 11 January and the BBC reacted as before, by imposing a boycott. The corporation said it would rely on agency coverage instead. |
Many Rangers fans clearly wish to distance themselves from the Bears Fightback approach. One of them, johnjamessite, criticised that blog for making an “alarming threat”. | Many Rangers fans clearly wish to distance themselves from the Bears Fightback approach. One of them, johnjamessite, criticised that blog for making an “alarming threat”. |
Unlike those who wish to see the Rangers of 2016 as a continuation of the Rangers that existed in 2012, he accepts that the club is a different entity. | Unlike those who wish to see the Rangers of 2016 as a continuation of the Rangers that existed in 2012, he accepts that the club is a different entity. |
He writes: “The more informed and intelligent Rangers supporters know that the current company, technically and legally, is not the same company that ceased to trade in 2012.” | He writes: “The more informed and intelligent Rangers supporters know that the current company, technically and legally, is not the same company that ceased to trade in 2012.” |
Instead, he sees the new Rangers as “the spiritual successor of the company I followed as a boy.” | Instead, he sees the new Rangers as “the spiritual successor of the company I followed as a boy.” |
Then he berates those Rangers fans who sing “the odious anthem” known as the Billy Boys, which contains a line that upsets the many thousands of people in Scotland from an Irish background: “We’re up to our knees in Fenian blood.” | Then he berates those Rangers fans who sing “the odious anthem” known as the Billy Boys, which contains a line that upsets the many thousands of people in Scotland from an Irish background: “We’re up to our knees in Fenian blood.” |
The blogger concludes: “Rangers are not an annexe of the Orange Order, or terrorist organisations... I am a Rangers supporter. I defer to the Queen and I am a unionist. These are my traditions. | The blogger concludes: “Rangers are not an annexe of the Orange Order, or terrorist organisations... I am a Rangers supporter. I defer to the Queen and I am a unionist. These are my traditions. |
“If Rangers wish to be accepted and respected in Scottish and European football we must distance ourselves from the jihadists and recidivists.” | “If Rangers wish to be accepted and respected in Scottish and European football we must distance ourselves from the jihadists and recidivists.” |
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