What's happened
During a Remembrance Sunday match at Rugby Park, Celtic fans disrupted a minute's silence by singing a song about Aidan McAnespie, who was killed by a British soldier in 1988. The incident sparked criticism from both managers and highlighted ongoing tensions related to sectarianism and political sentiments in Scottish football.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the minute's silence was interrupted by Celtic fans singing about Aidan McAnespie, leading to an early end to the tribute. Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes expressed his disappointment, stating, 'I thought it was awful. It’s our minute’s silence.' Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that a minute's silence should last a full minute. The Scotsman highlighted the political messages displayed by Celtic fans, which criticized the British establishment's selective mourning of lives lost. This incident underscores the complex interplay between football, politics, and sectarianism in Scotland.
How we got here
The incident occurred during a match on November 10, 2024, amid ongoing tensions between Celtic and Kilmarnock fans. Celtic's historical ties to Irish Republicanism often clash with British military commemorations, leading to protests during such events.
More on these topics
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Gaza may refer to:
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Aidan McAnespie was an Irish Catholic man who was killed by the British Army at the Aughnacloy, County Tyrone border checkpoint in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
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Brendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Premier League club Leicester City.
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Derek John McInnes is a Scottish former football player who is currently the manager of Aberdeen. He featured prominently for Greenock Morton, Rangers, West Bromwich Albion and Dundee United during his playing career.