Rangers clashes will have impact on Scotland's reputation
Rangers clashes will have impact on Scotland's reputationAnother well known Scottish PR figure has waded into the debate on the impact of Wednesday’s clashes between Rangers fans and Manchester’s police.
Following Rob Bruce’s comments to The Drum yesterday that the media may have blown things slightly out of proportion and that the impact of events would be ‘minimal’, Arvind Salwan, director of New Media Corp has said that the media can only report what happens and did so.
It’s ludicruous to suggest that the media has blown things out of proportion; the media can only report what happens and, in my opinion, that’s exactly what it did. Look at the components: major Uefa Cup Final, and so, images seen by an international TV and online audience; Scotland’s First Minister calls for an inquiry; RFC management announce an inquiry to identify individuals; an investigation by Manchester Police. How can this not have a negative impact on Scotland’s reputation?
The Manchester Evening News headline “Battle of Piccadilly” summed it up. It’s website ran a poll asking if hosting the Uefa Cup Final was worth it. At the time of writing, 80% of respondents responded “no”. It also carries a video interview with PC Mike Regan, the isolated officer who was tripped up and attacked by a “rampaging mob” of so-called fans. The top five most read stories relate to the aftermath and over 200 comments have been posted on the site.
The BBC (network and Scotland) showed the stampedes, the attacks and the “carnage”. It carried interviews with shocked locals who that referred disparraginly to “those Scots”. Good on BBC Scotland for making a point of showing the CCTV footage in full, as this allowed viewers make their own judgment on the behaviour of the “significant minority”.
Some, but not all sponsors, will think twice about supporting such events in future. However, commercial sense can often cloud common sense, and I don’t anticipate any major sponsor taking a public stance and pulling all future support. This would also be unreasonable, as we can’t forget that the majority of fans were not involved. Alcohol was a critical factor in the whole sorry saga and unfortunately this has once again reinforced negative stereotypes of the Scots and our drink problem.
RFC should be commended for acting quickly and decisively to condemn such behaviour and I believe the club is genuinely disappointed to see these scenes of aggressive behaviour. This can be said for the majority of fans too. The RFC brand serves as an ambassador for the country and the club’s quick action helped minimise damage to its reputation.
Over time, I don’t think there will be long-lasting effects on the city’s Commonwealth Games in 2014, although it may well hinder any efforts to secure a major footballing event. Sport should build bridges not break them.
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Comments
comments
Your article concentrates on the impact of Scotland's reputation. May I remind you that in 2003, another famous Glasgow team reached the UEFA cup final with circa 100,000 fans descending on Seville? The behaviour was so exemplary, Lennart Johannson took the unprecedented step of commending the fair play award, not to a team, but to the Celtic fans.
I myself was in Manchester for the Man United v Celtic Champions League match. While I recognise the amount of fans was nowhere near 100,000 there was no trouble.
It is a common analogy to tar one set of fans with the national brush. I can assure you that Celtic will travel abroad and to London this year, playing friendlies without any trouble. The Tartan Army have an equally untarnished image, with local’s quick to bond with the amusing and generally well behaved Scots.
Any article of this magnitude should be carefully researched; you may or may not realise but even your mention of "Scots and our drink problem" hints that every time any Scottish team play outwith the country, the potential for trouble is there. This is simply not true and you should check your facts before declaring such an ominous assumption.
I am glad to see the reaction of parliament and RFC, all condemning whoever was at the root of this trouble. It was disgusting to watch and the interview with the injured PC hints at Manchester Police using their own PR to make sure they put the blame firmly at the door of Rangers fans.
If it was Celtic, Aberdeen, or any other Scottish team in a European competition, especially a final, they would fully deserve the condemnation if their fans acted in such a manner. The fact is, they have not. I am sure you will have recognised this from a neutral stance Arvind.
Sincerely,
Paul
comments
Thankfully someone has spoken out against Rob Bruce’s comments. 'Everybody understands, especially in terms of football, if there is trouble it is normally the minority that spoils it for the majority. And obviously the media involved will pick up the story and report it, sometimes in a sensationalist way.' 'It’s an unfortunate incident ' 'last nights events will soon be forgotten about.' What? The Prime Minister doesnt' appear to share these views. Nor I am sure the the lone PC who was beaten by dozens of fans whilst one of them filmed the assault on his mobile phone. I am sick to death of the 'minority spoils it for the majority' arguement. It has used for decades. Eveyone seems to be distancing themselves from the apalling incidents. Some fans are quoted as blaming the police '100%'. Rangers are saying the 'yobs had no link to their club'. Sponsors should re-think the worldwide audience of their brands being associated with running riots and bloodied police officers. Not 'unfortunate' but completely unnacceptable.
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