Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson's out of character reticence regarding sectarian chanting

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has earned himself a reputation as somewhat of a renta-quote. He likes to portray himself as proud fearless defender of the wee teams from the evil O** F***. Or more accurately, Celtic.

Following sustained sectarian chanting from Rangers fans throughout the Dundee Utd-Rangers SPL fixture of 19th April, United supporters group - ArabTRUST - issued a statement of condemnation:

“Members of ArabTRUST have reported that illegal sectarian chants were sung by ‘fans’ of Glasgow Rangers at Tannadice Park last night. These chants were heard throughout the stadium and ArabTRUST condemns these so-called supporters who bring down their football club and tarnish the reputation of our national sport. ArabTRUST has accordingly reported the matter to the relevant authorities.”

According to the Trust, Rangers fans were responsible for ‘many deplorable chants’ making specific reference to one particular sectarian chant which they stated ‘could be heard in the stadium and on BBC Radio Scotland:

“We are Rangers, Super Rangers, No one likes us, We don’t care, We hate Celtic, Fenian bastards, We will chase them anywhere.”

You'd think their chairman, fearless defender of decent non-O** F*** supporters - Stephen Thompson - would be proud of such a principled stance against behaviour that is proving the scourge of Scottish society and fuelling cowardly acts designed to maim and kill?

Apparently not according to this Dundee Courier article:



Dundee United distance themselves from ArabTrust's sectarian whistle-blowing

The use of the term "whistleblowing" in the title is faintly comical, suggesting as it does, that somehow all of this rampant sectarianism from Rangers fans had gone undetected for all these years until the ArabTRUST made their statement.

This is what the Dundee United chairman had to say on the matter:

"Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has stressed that fans' group ArabTRUST acted independently of the club when reporting Rangers supporters for alleged sectarian singing."

"Thompson is understood to have contacted both Rangers and the SPL yesterday to stress ArabTRUST were not speaking on behalf of United.

"I am aware of what ArabTRUST have said," commented Thompson, who was at the launch of the club's new season ticket package at Tannadice.

Thompson added, "They are entitled to whatever view they want to have but they do not represent Dundee United. ArabTRUST are not speaking on behalf of the football club.

"We have a good relationship with Rangers and all clubs are working hard to eradicate sectarianism."

So we're back to the putting our fingers in our ears and hoping it will go away approach to eradicating sectarianism and racism are we?

As Thompson & co are so keen to distance themselves from comments condemning sectarianism, I can see why they have such a good relationship with Rangers. Obviously they have been busy mending fences since Craig Levein left.

Thompson's comments are depressing, if entirely predictable.

He hasn't always been so reticent when it comes to speaking out against perceived faults of the O** F*** clubs though...



Yes, following in the footsteps of the Yorkstons and Peats of this world, "fearless" defender of the wee teams Stephen Thompson has absolutely no problem putting the boot into Celtic.

Apologists for Thompson's stance may point to the explosive devices mailed to various individuals linked to Celtic as an explanation for his motives in distancing himself and the club from the ArabTRUST statement - as the Courier article does. However that doesn't explain Thompson's enthusiasm for getting tore into Celtic.

After all we are just as bad as each other, so surely attacking Celtic puts him at the same degree of mortal danger as allowing a supporters organisation statement criticising Rangers fans to go out in his club's name?

In another twist, Stephen Thompson is a member on the SFA Disciplinary Committee which failed to dispense an additional suspension to Bougherra and Diouf for their part in the so-called "shame game" of 2nd March and who upheld Sally McCoist's appeal.

The same Disciplinary Committee that upheld James Forrest's farcical straight red card against Hamilton Accies on 12th January.

I'm sure you will agree, Thompson's credentials to serve on on the committee of such an inept and dysfunctional organisation as the SFA are impeccable.

I anxiously await Thompson's next selective anti-O** F*** rant. He and his manager make an ideal double-act.

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