James McLean being a bit of an idiot again..

Why was there a national anthem anyway, in a WBA pre season game?

And did they all remember to give the Nazi salute?

******* royals.

 

He was out of order last season and he's out of order again.

 

It was in America. They don't understand football.

 

Why did he do it, and how has it affected your day/life etc?

 

No, seriously, I wanted those who are referring to it negatively, to explain to me what I'm missing. All I saw was a picture (yesterday) of a bloke refusing to take part in something that goes totally against his beliefs.

 

It's sectarianism.

 

How should he have behaved then?

Like the England team in Berlin in the mid 30's, give the Nazi salute, to show respect?

It's a naughty subject. It didn't bother me though. Appreciate it must have bothered others, so fair do's.

 

I agree with this. The other country's team never turn their back during someone else's anthem - just don't sing. I've been to Christenings and such where prayers have been made, I just don't say 'amen' at the end, I don't turn my back on everyone.

 

Well that's weird.

 

You can't seriously compare what happened in the 30's with sectarianism in Ulster mate. I went through a lot of it when he refused to wear a poppy so I won't bother doing it again. All I will say is if he played for a French club and they went on tour where they played the French national anthem would he turn his back? Definitely not. That's the point, he isn't refusing to respect it because its a foreign anthem (it might be in his mind); the reason he refuses to acknowledge it is down to sectarianism and it is hugely disrespectful.

 

I guess allowing personal or political views to taint a game of football would mean the whole sport would be in turmoil. After all it could equally be argued that the racism chants in russia to some players is also due to their beliefs. By the way I don't think any posts on here affect my day. But what I think your missing is that players of sport have a responsibility to their team, their fans and the game in general. Just showing disrespect when it suits simple isn't in the spirit of the game nor the event he was playing in, let alone us as Brits.

 

As I've already accepted, after getting the explanations I asked for, I appreciate this obviously bothers some folk. Didn't bother me, hence me saying as much. I do though agree that there were better manners in which he could have remained true to his beliefs, stay off the pitch until after the flagpole ceremony as you suggested. So he was obviously making a point. But aye, it didn't bother me and I doubt it hurt anyone.

Don't think your wedding/funeral analogy worked, mind.

 

Not really, I go along as my friends wish me to be there. I don't say amen as I'm not religious and therefore there is no point.

 

What's the point in saying the prayer in the first place then?

 

You make a good point. Not that I'd compare someone monkey chanting with a bloke turning his back on a flag. For example, were I ever in a situation where a Nazi flag or IS flag (to keep it current like) was paraded I wouldn't be anywhere near it.

But if secterianism is racism, and McLean is a racist, I definitely accept where folk are coming from.

See, I'm in that very small minority on this forum who can be persuaded after debate to alter an opinion, rather than the BBS mindset of 'I'm right, you're wrong'.

Off for some food now, al leave you to it.