Sports Hotline: What happened to freedom of speech – have Rangers fans lost their right to offend?

NO surprises that the thorny subject of sectarian singing should prompt a major backlash on yesterdays Hotline.

After Keith Jacksons column savaged both sides of the Old Firm support with a particularly fierce blast at Rangers for their songs of hate at Starks Park the outraged Whataboutery defence was as predictable as it was depressing.

Chris Lowe, Glasgow, emailed: So Rangers get a kicking once again from the media.

Compare and contrast to Celtic Park only 24 hours earlier where clear, audible pro-IRA chants were heard, something Celtic have been fined for in the past by UEFA .

The Celtic support were largely praised all round for creating a magnificent atmosphere and not one person reported what their fans were chanting let alone go seeking the match observer to ask if he would be including it in his report.

Whatever happened to the whole of Europe claiming freedom of speech and the right to offend after Paris? Are Rangers fans exempt?

RAITH ROVERS 1 RANGERS 2 - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

Robert Forrest emailed: I have no problem with Keith Jackson criticising Rangers fans singing banned songs, it is not right.

However, he fails to point out the difference in the way the support of either team has been treated by the authorities. A Rangers supporter was jailed for singing a banned song but no Celtic fan, and I could include their player Leigh Griffiths, has been anywhere near this.

He also completely ignores the offensive banner on display at Hampden.

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Sports Hotline: What happened to freedom of speech - have Rangers fans lost their right to offend?