U.S. international DaMarcus Beasley’s BMW 6-Series was torched outside his home in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland a week ago. Although the midfielder was unhurt and is taking the event in stride, his club team, Rangers, have issued a statement describing the event as a “disturbing and deplorable incident.”
Some fans suspect that the Rangers midfielder is not without blame. These fans believe that the fire bombing of the midfielder’s car may be meant as a form of retribution. It is reported that DaMarcus may have inadvertently stoked the flames of the Old Firm rivalry when he posted the following joke on Twitter:
“What do you say to a Celtic fan with a beautiful woman on his arm? Nice tattoo mate.”
The joke was followed with the letters “LMAO”, shorthand verbiage for “laughing my a** off.” What may have been seen as a harmless joke, is in actuality quite the opposite due to the history of sectarianism in Scottish society.
Scotland is well known in footballing circles for having some of the most impassioned fans. In particular, the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic fans (commonly referred to as the “Old Firm”) is one of the most intense in all of football and dates back to the early 20th century when the intensity of the rivalry took root. The divisions are complex and diverse, but they generally exist along religious and political lines (of Northern Ireland politics). The Rangers’ fan base was made up mostly of Protestants and those seen as Loyalists/ Unionists, who were supporters of a Union with Great Britain, whereas the Celtic fan base was made up of Catholics and those seen as Republicans/ Nationalists, who favored an autonomous and united Republic of Ireland.
If the tweet is true, DaMarcus needs to hit the history books or at least Google the history of his storied club. Nevertheless, his ignorance is not justification for orchestrating an attack that could have easily killed many people. Thankfully no one was hurt this time and hopefully there won’t be a next time.
according to reports the damage seems to be nothing to do with old firm rivalry but more to do with a dalliance with the wife/girlfriend of a leading criminal.
That’ll do it every time. That’s similar to what I’ve recently heard as well. Maybe some of these guys will start questioning whether the short term benefit of these sort of escapades is worth it. It shouldn’t take an exploding car to reach that conclusion.
Glad to see that the speculation about the tweet isn’t true. Last thing the Old Firm Derby needs is more fuel being added to the fire. This story is fast unravelling like a bad episode of Dream Team on FOX. Then again all the episodes are pretty bad.
If you report Ireland, and Glasgow is in Scotland and Rangers and Celtic are part of the SPL, what does it have to do with Ireland? Do I have my geography all messed up on this?
Vivabolivar, Celtic Football Club is a unique club which has a massive support in Ireland north and south, with many fans regularly making the trek to watch their team in Glasgow and people regularly do ask why?! Irish emigration to Scotland since the famine explains much of the connection.
Mass emigration due to the great Irish famine saw Glasgow’s population explode and with that came great poverty and hardship. The club was formed by first and second generation Irishmen led by a Marist Brother, Brother Walfrid, to help the starving population in the East end of the city. In short the club was founded as a charity to raise funds for the poor, both Irish and otherwise ….hence the reason why the Irish flag flies over the stadium; also Celtic’s first manager was Irish; and he moved from Ireland to Scotland to manage the club; and over the years many Irish players and those of Irish descent and staff who have played, or managed, at Celtic.
That is why they have more fans within the UK than the so called bigger clubs like Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea.