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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark McDougall

Celtic slam fans for sectarian singing but call for action on Aberdeen supporters' child abuse chants

Celtic have slammed their fans for sectarian singing aimed at Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes but also called for SFA action on child abuse chants.

The Dons gaffer was sent off after angrily reacting to being called a 'sad orange b******' by Celtic supporters and it was included in the match delegate's report.

McInnes asked for action to be taken while Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis reckoned there was little chance of anything happening as he admitted to being baffled by the sectarian culture.

But Celtic also want the SFA to look into sickening chants from Aberdeen supporters about child abuse that included singing about Jimmy Saville directed at Hoops fans.

Derek McInnes is sent to the stands (SNS)

A Celtic spokesperson said: “Chanting of this nature should have no place in football and we condemn this wholeheartedly.

“We hope the authorities also take the same interest in offensive chanting directed at Celtic Football Club and our supporters at yesterday’s match and other games.”

Sectarian singing and fan misbehaviour has blighted Scottish football this season with Neil Lennon, Steven Gerrard, Kris Boyd and Steve Clarke all being targeted by bigots while players have also had coins, bottles and coconuts thrown at them.

Rangers captain James Tavernier was also confronted by a fan during a game against Hibs which led to a jail sentence for the individual involved.

Speaking after yesterday's game, McInnes had said: "I got sent off because I reacted to the Celtic support.

(SNS Group)

"I was wrong with my reaction, I'll take my punishment.

"It'll be interested to see if everybody gets punished for it but I accept my part.

"I was wrong to react, I'm in a position where I can't react.

"And that's why I was sent off, maybe the fourth official could give me a warning - who knows?

"But he's obviously deemed it serious enough to bring the referee over and send me off, so I accept that and I'll apologise for it.

Derek McInnes sent to the stands after reacting to Celtic fans chanting 'sad Orange b*****d'

"Any punishment coming my way, I'll take it on the chin.

"I've heard that song a hundred times and I've never reacted to it, maybe it's frustration.

"It will be up to the delegate to do their bit as it's in the report which is pleasing and refreshing because it doesn't always get in there when you hear sectarian singing.

"It certainly wasn't in the cup final the last time we were here. That's not my battle or my fight. It's for others to condemn."

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