Lord of the Dance
Six arrested over anti-Irish singing in Glasgow as Rangers ban fans
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Six arrested over anti-Irish singing in Glasgow as Rangers ban fans

SIX people have now been arrested in relation to the singing of an anti-Irish song by Rangers fans in Glasgow last weekend.

Footage shared online showed a crowd of supporters marching to the club's home game with Celtic on Sunday, with some singing The Famine Song.

On Thursday, Police Scotland revealed they had arrested three men for racially aggravated offences.

Three more men were arrested yesterday for the singing of racist material.

Following the first set of arrests, Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Police Division, described last Sunday's events as "disgraceful racial conduct".

"We have made the first of what I expect to be numerous arrests following the disgraceful racial conduct shown by a minority of Rangers supporters who were making their way to Ibrox stadium on Sunday, August 29," he said.

"Three men, aged 24, 21 and 19 years old, were arrested and charged last night, Wednesday, September 1, in connection with racially aggravated offences towards a member of the public and for the singing of racist material.

"This racist conduct will not be tolerated and our investigations are continuing.

"We will continue to work with Rangers FC to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible."

Indefinite bans

Rangers revealed it had banned three fans indefinitely following the arrests, having earlier vowed to work with police to identify fans involved.

"After liaising with Police Scotland regarding a well-documented incident on Sunday, Rangers have written to three individuals to confirm their indefinite ban from all club fixtures," a statement on their website read.

"We reiterate our Club stance against all forms of discrimination and once again, underline our approach to so-called 'fans' who bring the good name of Rangers FC into disrepute."

Yesterday, Police Scotland revealed three further men, aged 26, 23 and 21, had been arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to six.

A statement from the force said the men had been charged "in connection with the singing of racist material in Glasgow on Sunday, August, 2021".

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The Famine Song includes the lyrics: "From Ireland they came, brought us nothing but trouble and shame, well the Famine is over, why don't they go home?"

The Great Famine, which began in 1845, resulted in around 1,000,000 deaths with a similar number emigrating, of which around 100,000 went to Scotland.