The RST have also written to Matheson :-

 

Michael Matheson MSP
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

24 December 2008

Dear Mr Matheson,

You were recently quoted saying:

"It is important that the police and football clubs are aware of the sinister background to this ('Hokey Cokey') song, and take the appropriate action against individuals and groups who use it at matches or in other situations to taunt Catholics."

Firstly, do you have any evidence whatsoever that this has ever happened?

Secondly, perhaps the next time a journalist is fishing for a quote to beef up a non-story, you'll reflect on whether getting your name in the newspapers is more important than puffing stories designed to exaggerate and distort the extent of sectarianism?

A large number of our members have expressed disappointment, puzzlement and disbelief at your remarks. A song that 99.9% of the population view as a harmless party song for kids, sung once in a blue moon, is now caricatured as having a 'sinister background' and (surprise, surprise) being ascribed to Rangers supporters for sectarian reasons.

At a stroke, you have ensured that a song never heard previously at a Rangers game gets an airing at Ibrox on December 27th.

You have also opened the door to yet another round of specious accusations of sectarianism to be levelled by the very same people who only recently went out of their way to be offended and describe as 'racist', a nine-word chant sung by one group of Scots of Irish descent to another group of Scots of Irish descent.

You must be very proud.

In the unlikely event that you ever decide to contribute to the much-needed dialogue about the extent and nature of football-related sectarianism, the Rangers Supporters' Trust will be happy to work with you.

However, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we will assume you share the self-serving, sectarian agenda of John Reid and George Galloway and are more interested in playing to the political gallery than in helping the rest of us address serious issues in a serious way.

Yours faithfully,

Stephen Smith

Chair,

Rangers Supporters Trust