[0762]

SKY pays the scottish clubs a pittance for tv rights, If there were only two Old Firm games per season I doubt anyone at Sky would really notice, and I genuinely can't see it having such a significant impact on their income that they would make changes to the deal. As evidenced by the farcical circumstances surrounding rangers going down the drain.

Anyway with splits,play offs etc a 16 club league could provide 4 old firm games anyway.

I don't really see the need for the scottish government to ban the old firm games either no matter how distasteful some of the antics surrounding it are,ffs salmond called rangers 'part of the fabric of our society' not that long ago. Besides their are similar types of games throughout europe that are just as bad i.e. holland,italy and turkey.

I absolutely disagree with that view. The law in Scotland is clear on this issue and I don't see why the Scottish Gov should concede proper control and firm policing of a fixture that has been out of control for a long time before it thankfully disappeared - notice the healthy difference at the moment!!! The indicators coming out of these clubs, and particularly antagonistic Rangers FC and their fans, are that it will be more venomous than anything we've seen before (if that is indeed possible!) - that is unacceptable! Also you conveniently ignore the huge social impact of this fixture that directly and indirectly affects a helluvah lot more people than you'd realise hibeejim. I also suggest you read some publications and other sources (Nil by Mouth is only one of many!) that highlight the historical victims of this vile fixture and indeed the many fans/victims who have tragically died for effectively just supporting a football team - these figures are a shocking indictment that show up this fixture for what it truly represents and the game/sport pales into insignificance after considering these facts - the sport has been disgracefully violated!!  IMO other bad fixtures in Europe have no relevance to how we should effectively deal with this fixture once and for all in our own country - no going soft on it as we've seen before. For example, no sectarian marketing of goods should be strictly imposed and no questions asked and that's only one of many sanctions I'd like to see imposed (+ a zero tolerance policy) FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME IN SCOTLAND AND ULTIMATELY TO CLEAN IT UP AND PROTECT LOTSA PEOPLE/FANS WHO ARE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF A LOSING SCORE AFTER SUCH A MATCH WHEN CERTAIN CRETONS CAN'T HANDLE IT!! THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE AND DON'T CONDONE IT WITH REFERENCE TO BAD FIXTURES IN EUROPE!