BBC presenter sparks fury with question linking drugs to ‘worse’ behaviour from Scottish football fans
A PROMINENT BBC presenter has sparked fury among Scottish football fans by posing a question that drug use has caused supporters’ behaviour to get worse.
John Beattie, a former Scotland rugby international, asked followers on Twitter to discuss whether “readily available drugs” had led to an increase in unsavoury incidents involving football fans.
The Drivetime presenter said: “The behaviour of Scottish football fans is getting worse? Discuss. Are readily available drugs partly responsible?”
In recent months, Celtic and Hearts fans were filmed brawling outside an Edinburgh tram station and there have been several arrests relating to a pre-match rammy ahead of the Viaplay Cup final in February.
The overwhelming response to Beattie’s query was that fans’ behaviour is no worse than it has ever been.
A punter who’s been following his team for 40 years said: “As someone who has been regularly attending football in Scotland for 40 years, the answer to you first question is a categorical ‘no’.
“And your second question is therefore moot, John.
“Should be a short debate, this one.”
A fan of similar age commented: “Nope. Absolutely baffling that somebody who’s old enough to remember crowds from the 70/80s would even ask that question.”
While another replied: “You’re old enough to know it was far worse than today back in the 60s and 70s and the readily available drug was called alcohol, it can turn angels into demons.”
A lengthier reply read: “Getting worse? In what way? Drink and drugs always been around football in the 30 odd years I’ve attended. In recent years the ultra scene has developed and has brought atmosphere and colour to grounds, not every one’s cup of tea but noise and pyro doesn’t bother me one bit.”
Last month Rangers and Celtic agreed they would not allow away fans to attend the remaining two derby clashes this season, and cited “safety and security” grounds as a reason.
That decision was reached after a Celtic fan was left bleeding from being hit by a glass bottle at the New Year clash at Ibrox, while Rangers fans were pelted with missiles at the end of the May 1 clash at Celtic Park last season, with the club criticising the police response on the day.
Several fans called the radio host out for over the link to drug use, feeling it was “lazy” and/or “unsubstantiated”.
“Regularly attended football matches since 1999 and I can honestly say I can count on one hand the number of noteworthy incidents I have witnessed. Not sure what stats or evidence there is to suggest such a conversation is required,” concluded one.
“What an absolutely baffling and totally unsubstantiated take,” said another.
“It’s not getting worse in my experience. Not sure what this is based on,” replied another fan.
A later comment read: “Tired, lazy, baseless rhetoric with a sprinkling of bizarre drug-related nonsense on top.”
With clubs being warned over their handling of an increase in the use of pyrotechnics at stadiums, this fan said: “Are there statistics to back this up, or merely anecdotal because of some pyro at games? I travel home and away with Dundee United, and can’t see that things have gotten worse recently, despite our (away) support arguably being larger than it was pre-covid.”
And another punter asked: “Hi John, just wondering what stats you’ve got ready to hand to back up your claim about ‘readily available drugs’? That’s quite a statement to make. Where’s the transparency for other sports fans? Or gigs & festivals? Football fans are tired of being tarnished with this propaganda.”
Many felt the tweet was an attack on football fans generally, and claimed fans of other sports and forms of entertainment are rarely subject to the same assumptions.
One asked: “Do you question the behaviour of music festival fans in the same way? Plenty of violence, alcohol and drug misuse at music festivals, yet rarely do we see the same level of outrage. Another attempt to demonise football fans because of the behaviour of a small minority of idiots.”
Another said: “You get far heavier drug use at gigs and racing and funnily enough, they’re not subjected to the Helen Lovejoy treatment.”
“Conversely, football fans get a raw deal compared to most other groups in society where any positive stories are dismissed out of hand. Their benefits far outweigh the limited misbehaviour of the minority,” said another.
While this fan said: “This is dangerous baiting us vs them behaviour. Really poor from someone who should know better.”
A further supporter fumed: “Pathetic wording, you should be ashamed.”
However, there were some people who agreed with Beattie in that the behaviour of fans has worsened, but stopped short of linking it to drug use.
“Don’t know if alcohol or drugs are partly responsible or not, but behaviour is getting worse with objects thrown fans fighting and stealing other fans flags drums etc,” said one punter.
Another suggested a link to the repealing of the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.
“It feels like the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football act was supporting the police more effectively to prevent aspects of anti social behaviour (offensive chanting/use of sectarian language/violence). When it was repealed it was a green light to some people to regress,” he claimed.
While another fan stated: “You’re asking the wrong question hoping to get the most frothing mouths on your wee radio programme. The question you should be asking is, ‘Why are drugs more readily available?'”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page