| Incidents, Events & Controversies | About Celtic |
Summary
In the below article, a journalist was critical of the Celtic support (fair enough!) however he decided to add in the last paragraph the description that “Some fans would probably rather have a bead-rattling Hoopy the Huddle Hound in the dug-out”! A totally unnecessary and offensive term, unrelated to the topic and any issue relevant to it.
To their credit, the Sunday Herald quickly replied to all complaints with an e-mail apology, and in the following week’s paper they printed a full unequivocal statement and apology reiterating their stance on such terms (reprinted below). Additionally, the muppet journalist was dumped from his column. Apparently he is actually an Aberdeen fan! No excuse for what he wrote but the journalist shouldn’t be hounded for it any further, as the paper has dealt with it appropriately and we all commend them for it.
13 April 2008
20 April 2008
Link/Source
Sunday Herald Sport
An apology
IN AN article headlined ‘Fans fail to show Celtic class with Strachan slating’ for last week’s Sunday Herald, Kenny Hodgart used the following sentence: “Some fans would probably rather have a bead-rattling Hoopy the Huddle Hound in the dug-out.”
The use of the term “bead-rattling” is clearly unacceptable in a quality newspaper. Indeed, it is clearly unacceptable in any context and in any walk of life.
The Sunday Herald’s stance on bigotry and sectarianism is clear: as a newspaper we have consistently and systematically challenged prejudice wherever we have found it. We have written dozens of articles – in the sports section, in the news section, in opinion and debate and in the magazine – condemning those who continue to perpetuate sectarianism and
praising the considerable efforts of both Celtic FC and Rangers FC, among others, to stamp it out.
Religious bigotry continues, however, to be a blot on the landscape of
Scottish football and also in wider society. There has been huge progress in
recent years, but there is still more to be done before we can consider
ourselves a truly united society.
Kenny Hodgart will no longer write a column for the Sunday Herald. I have
also instigated an investigation to discover how this unacceptable
terminology was able to get through our production system.
The Sunday Herald would like to take this opportunity to apologise
unreservedly for any offence caused by the use of this phrase and assure our readers that we are treating this matter extremely seriously.
Stephen Penman Sports Editor