Singing songs means nothing?
In response to Burnley FC giving life bans from Turf Moor to two people found guilty of
racist chanting, Burnley’s BNP co-ordinator Steven Smith (who was jailed earlier this year for falsifying election nomination
papers) described the chanting of racist songs and slogans as "a natural part of football culture," adding that, "singing songs means nothing, and some racist language has become part of our every day vocabulary," and suggesting that such bans were taking away people's freedom of speech. Below is a personal reaction.
I don’t think it is possible for me to fully express my anger at the statements made by Steven Smith, the BNP co-ordinator for Burnley. For a start, I somehow doubt that he is a supporter, given that the Clarets insist on playing ‘foreigners’ like Nik the Greek, Arthur Gnohere and David Johnson, plus black Englishman like Mitchell Thomas, Ian Wright, Ian Cox and Lenny Johnrose. How could he possibly cheer an Ian Wright goal for instance? So why should he feel that he can make statements about something that he knows little and cares less?
The NF, or its successor, the BNP, have tried for many years to recruit members outside Turf Moor because they know there are racist elements that go to football matches. In recent times the club and the police have acted to prevent this, and rightly so. However, politics should have no place in football, and attempts by previous governments to meddle in football have been given short shrift by supporters of all political persuasions. How many remember Mrs Thatcher’s attempts to introduce ID cards for football fans?
I feel a little disappointed that the local press find his inane comments worthy of printing. Surely there are more important issues like poverty, bad housing, low wages and unemployment in Burnley? However, Steven Smith doesn’t want to bring the community together and resolve issues. He wants to create divisions and unrest and create a target for people to blame.
Two people being banned for racist abuse is trivial by comparison, yet he is trying to make it into a political issue by implying that it is somehow eroding the rights of those banned. What about the rights of those targeted for abuse? What about the people sitting in the vicinity listening to the abuse? Do they not have rights as well?
There are acceptable levels of behaviour in society and if Steven Smith feels that it is okay to shout and chant racist abuse because it is part of everyday life then perhaps someone should go round to his house, punch him in the face, steal his mobile phone and drive off in his car, because these crimes go on every day too.
I could go on, but the London Clarets are not a political organisation, and so I won’t waste any more space on someone who represents a party whose main aim is untenable and unworkable, as well as a blatant breach of human rights. I just hope that he keeps well clear of the Clarets in future.
Cozzo
May 2002
As with all articles on the site, the
views expressed in the comments section are those of the individual contributor, and do
not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters Club
