Bigotry, Football and Scotland

Perspectives and Debates

John Flint, John Kelly

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9780748670383
• Edition: 0
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: British History
• Index: History

A multidisciplinary analysis of sectarianism and bigotry in Scottish football Sectarianism and bigotry are among the most publicly debated issues in Scotland, often reported in the newspapers as the 'shame' of Scotland's national game. The current crisis in Scottish football includes high profile controversies and disorder related to bigotry and sectarianism which resulted in new legislation to tackle offensive behaviour in and beyond football grounds. In this collection, contributors from a range of disciplinary positions present the latest empirical research evidence and social theory to examine and debate fundamental issues about bigotry in Scottish football and society. The topic has raised many questions. How should sectarianism and bigotry be defined and understood? What are the experiences and impacts of bigotry on different populations in Scotland? Are recent events unique or do they have historic precedents and contemporary comparisons beyond Scotland? What should be the response of government, football authorities, clubs, football supporters and other institutions and organisations in Scotland regarding legislation? What vision should we have for a future Scottish society and its diverse population? Bigotry, Football and Scotland will appeal to all those interested in Scotland's national game, the role of football in the 21st Century and how multicultural contemporary societies attempt to resolve prejudice and promote diversity. Key Features Most recent academic work to address recent issues and debates about bigotry, football and sectarianism in ScotlandCovers gender, new legislation, internet conduct, social class and football supporters Case studies of fans and teams Inter-disciplinary mix of criminology, cultural studies, ethnic and racial studies, philosophy, gender studies, history, legal studies, sports studies and urban studiesA preface by Lord McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Imprint
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Contributors
• Foreword
• Introduction
• 1 Football and Bigotry in Scotland
• Rethinking Geographical, Historical and Social Contexts
• 2 Outside the Hothouse: Perspectives Beyond the Old Firm
• 3 Is Football Bigotry Confined to the West of Scotland? The Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Rival
• 4 ‘They Sing That Song’: Football and Sectarianism in Glasgow during the 1920s and 1930s
• 5 History and Memory in Scottish Football
• 6 Scottish Enlightenment and the Sectarianism Civilising Offensive
• Constructing and Governing ‘Sectarianism’ and Football
• 7 The New Sectarians
• 8 Hegemonic Fandom and the Red Herring of Sectarianism
• 9 England’s Act, Scotland’s Shame and the Limits of Law
• 10 He’s Back! But Scotland’s National Demon Never Left: Revisiting Media Representations of Neil Le
• Neglected Perspectives: Class, Gender and Football Supporters
• 11 Women, Football and Communities: Gendered Conceptualisations of ‘Sectarianism’
• 12 The Politics of Anti-sectarianism
• 13 Sectarianism Sells - or Does It? A Celtic Supporter’s View
• 14 Sectarianism and Scottish Football: A Rangers Perspective
• Conclusions
• 15 Necessary Debates and Future Research and Policy Imperatives
• Index