BBC tone change as Rangers fans allegedly riot
SOLIHULL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: The BBC sport television logo on an umbrella during the Vitality Women's FA Cup Semi Final match between Birmingham City and Everton on September 30, 2020 in Solihull, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
If ever we questioned the ‘new’ BBC after the ceasefire, yesterday’s reporting of the brawl between hordes of fans (and police) on Paisley Road West dispelled it.
Not once in the entire report, despite many of the ‘fans’ clearly being Rangers supporters, did the Beeb actually use the phrase ‘Rangers fans’ or accuse our club and its supporters overtly.
Indeed, the BBC were extremely at pains to avoid accusations, to avoid using the phrase ‘Rangers fans’ or even ‘alleged Rangers fans’ despite the fact half of them had blue beanie hats on!
The only Rangers terminology was that in their description of the chaos, they said these ‘football fans’ were at it in advance of the Rangers v Tottenham friendly.
Do we know exactly who it was? No, we don’t, not yet – but in truth, Rangers supporters very rarely ever get involved in this nonsense, and we suspect Spurs casuals may well have had a big hand in it.
So we’re not going to make any accusations one way or the other over who did or did not do this.
It’s just the tone of the BBC, who absolutely, 100%, even a week ago would have slurred Rangers fans all over their website accusing the blue side of Glasgow entirely of this, and sullying our name.
But since this new agreement?
They were at pains to avoid that now, just saying football fans.
Makes a nice change hmmm?