As Our Japanese Bhoy’s Abusers Are Charged, Why Are Some In Football Still Silent?

Two of the scumbags who sang a racist song about our new bhoy Kyogo have been charged under legislation designed to thwart hate crimes. It is a fitting punishment for them, and it is to be hoped that further charges follow.

Back when the Offensive Behaviour At Football Act was passed, many of us argued that there was no need for it because the police and the procurator fiscals office was already armed with sufficient power to charge anyone responsible for racist behaviour.

Even basic sectarianism – anti-religious prejudice – is covered under hate crimes laws.

The thing with them is that they are rarely used, and they should be.

They should be used to go after everyone who engages in this sort of disgusting behaviour, either online or elsewhere. It is good that the full force of the law is being brought to bear here.

There has been a lot of comment on this issue since it arose, but I thought Ange’s take on this was the best; there is no need, or there should be no need, to educate people on this stuff anymore.

Everyone knows right from wrong, everyone knows what’s acceptable and what isn’t, and yet for all that we have a manager in the SPFL right now who has more or less done what these guys did and he was subsequently hired by the SFA.

That organisation cannot be taken seriously after having done that, which might explain why they are yet to utter a single word in defence of our player.

You know who else didn’t make a statement in his defence or on his behalf?

PFA Scotland, the player’s union.

Their Twitter feed hasn’t even been updated since 4 August.

Their website news section is still filled with last season’s player of the year awards stuff, and their statement supporting Glen Kamara. On none of their official channels can you find a word about Kyogo.

How can it be that the two organisations who should have been in front of this can be so silent on the matter?

We know that the whole of Civic Scotland was up in arms over what happened to Kamara; why is this being treated in a different way?

Celtic should be asking these organisations for answers.

We have done everything right here, but the player was entitled to better support from outside the club.

Police Scotland take this seriously … so why aren’t some in football doing the same?