I'll Be Burgered

When does humorous chanting in football stands become offensive?

It's a tricky one. And one that inevitably causes continuing debate.

Not least because society's understanding of the issues is changing all the time.

Take for example the continuing row about the 'Famine Song' popular with a number of Rangers supporters. I can guarantee that if the song related to skin colour the sense of general outrage would be louder and more coherent. Somehow though because there is less clarity of definition about racism when skin colour is taken out of the equation as in this case, whilst some, such as the Strathclyde police I am pleased to say, are clear that this is just as serious a breach of the rules of decency, others seem less sure.

It's the same with homophobic chants. It's just a bit of fun after all isn't it.............?

I'm not trying to deny the complexities. One person's banter is inevitably another person's abuse. But we do have to find a way to draw some clear lines if we want to be considered a civilised society.

As individuals we need to make our own moral decisions on such matters. My personal view is that you somehow have to develop a 'contract' with whoever it is being teased which ensures you both understand it is done with a kind heart and in fun, not to hurt. That 'contract' may well be unspoken. It might be defined by the nature of your relationship. It might simply be the context in which it is done.

For example, I read a funny article in the most recent copy of FourFourTwo, which highlighted a number of funny chants, my favourite being the one aimed at Dean Gerken, the Colchester goalie (to the tune of Guantanamera):

Stayed in a burger You should have stayed in a burger Stayed in a burger You should have stayed in a burger

Harmless, funny and inventive.

So, to sum up before stepping down from my soap box, I guess what I am saying is you can be funny, edgy and ironic without causing pain.

Unless we are talking about anyone connected with Leeds United of course in which case the rules of decency probably don't apply.