Horrified Hearts fans and television viewers across the world were subjected to horrific songs and chants in support of IRA murder gangs from 3 minutes into the game - amongst the filthy ditties were the Boys Of The Old Brigade; Roll Of Honour (about the 1981 H-Block suicides) and Oo Ah Up The Ra.
Mr Spratt had over 30 year of police service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary before entering public life and has seen the effects of terrorism at first hand. He was also Chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation.
http://www.dup.org.uk/JimmySpratt.asp
His statement reads as follows:-
http://www.dup.org.uk/
SPL MUST NOT IGNORE PRO-IRA CHANTING: SPRATT
South Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt has called on the Scottish Premier League to take swift and decisive action against Celtic Football Club after sections of their support engaged in a series of pro-IRA chants during their recent game versus Hearts. After writing to the SPL outlining the need for action, Mr Spratt said:
"For several months Celtic Football Club has been extremely vocal in their condemnation of certain chants coming from supporters of other clubs. After listening to repeated instances of pro-IRA chanting in the course of their televised game against Hearts, their subsequent silence about the disgraceful conduct of their own supporters has been deafening.
Such glorification of terrorism has no place within sport and must be condemned outright. The Scottish Premier League must intervene and take decisive action in order to bring such chanting to an end. I would further call on the Chairman of Celtic Football Club, John Reid, to condemn those responsible and outline what measures the club intends to take to eradicate such naked sectarianism. As a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he will be acutely aware of the murderous, barbarous campaign of the IRA which brought bloodshed to the streets of Northern Ireland, and indeed across the United Kingdom.
Until Celtic Football Club can get its own club in order, dictation to other clubs and supporters will be viewed as sheer temerity."