[UK] Rangers fan set to lose job over sectarian chant
Friday 5 Mar 2010
A childcare worker who admitted singing the Famine Song outside Ibrox stadium just minutes before an Old Firm match is set to lose his job.
William Allison, a carer at an after-school club, admitted singing the song and forming part of a disorderly crowd in October last year.
Defence lawyer Jeremy Cram asked for the 20-year-old to be granted an absolute discharge so that his record would remain in tact but Sheriff Isobel Poole called for background reports before making a decision.
Allison, of Glennifer View, Neilston, Glasgow, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court and pled guilty to committing a racially aggravated breach of the peace at Edmiston Drive on October 4, last year.
Prosecutor Barney Ross told the court that police were watching a group of Rangers fans which had gathered outside the stadium when they noticed Allison singing the song.
Mr Ross said: "The Rangers fans were gathering at a police cordon beside the stadium which was separating the two sets of fans. At that time they saw the accused singing the Famine Song.
"The chorus contains the words 'the famine is over why don't you go home' and is directed against the Irish Catholic population. The accused was then arrested and made no reply to caution and charge."
Mr Cram, defending Allison, told the court that his client has no previous convictions and stands to lose his job because he has to pass and enhanced disclosure check to work with children.
The lawyer added: "Mr Allison is responsible for looking after children from many different backgrounds and would stand to lose his job if he received anything other than an absolute discharge.
"Although this is a racially aggravated offence, Mr Allison is keen to point out that he is not a racist.
"This took place during an old firm match and he claims that there was some level of banter in the form of offensive singing being battered back and forth between the two sides."
Mr Cram added that his client has already received an indefinite ban from Rangers Football Club. Sheriff Poole deferred sentence until later this month for background reports.
From STV
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