The court heard he was arrested during the friendly match on August 6 after refusing to stop chanting the offensive phrases despite being warned by police. Fiscal depute Seana Doherty, prosecuting, said: "The accused was standing in the Govan Front stand, wearing a flag around his shoulders bearing the Red Hand of Ulster logo.
"He was wearing an umbrella stand hat which was red, white and blue and also had the Red Hand of Ulster logo on it, and carrying a blue Rangers backpack. He was seen by three police officers to stand up from the seat and chant sectarian phrases such as 'We are all proddies', 'F*** the Catholics, 'F*** the Pope' and 'No surrender'." The court was told Rafiq was warned by the officers to stop but continued and was arrested.
Defence lawyer Ashley Kane said: "Mr Rafiq is a member of the English Defence League. As a result of his membership, and him being the only Muslim member of the organisation, he does stand out." She said that he has been a Rangers fan for the majority of his life and has attended matches and sung songs. Ms Kane added: "At the time of the offence he didn't believe that his actions were offending anyone."
3 comments:
Surely he's a bit confused? He can't be a Muslim and a Proddy can he? This religion business confuses me!
Red hand of ulster? I think I speak for the majority of Ulster when I say "We don't want him." What a complete and utter plonker. I doubt Rangers want his support either.
If he had been what you all call a ginger, I doubt there would have been a problem.
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