McConnell continues to back everyone but England
Scotland’s first minister has repeated his refusal to support England in its forthcoming World Cup match against Ecuador.
Jack McConnell has come under fire from some commentators for his determination to back anyone but England in the football tournament, with some suggesting he is giving a bad impression of Scotland.
Calls for him to abandon his tough stance were renewed this week when a young boy and a disabled man were attacked apparently for no other reason than because they were wearing England shirts.
However, when asked yesterday who he would support when England played the South American country on Sunday – with 1-4 odds to win – he was defiant, telling The Times: “You know me, I always back the underdog.”
The attacks on seven-year-old Hugo Clapshaw in Edinburgh, and on 41-year-old Ian Smith in Aberdeen, have been condemned across Scotland, and yesterday Mr McConnell took pains to make clear he did not countenance such behaviour.
“This is a welcoming country, in which violent crime has been reducing and in which our football fans are a source of pride rather than embarrassment,” he told MSPs.
“It is entirely unacceptable for any individual, of any nationality, to be attacked in this country because of the football shirt that they are wearing. The parliament sends out that clear message today.”
He added: “We want it to be emphasised that over recent years Scotland has been a welcoming country, not just to people from elsewhere in the world but to people from England in particular.
“Today we send out a clear message that many more English people will be welcomed. The increase in our population is largely due to the fact that people have come here from elsewhere in the UK. They are welcome here and they will be for years to come.”
Earlier this week, Hugo Clapshaw, who moved to Scotland two years ago with his family, told reporters: “I’m still going to wear my top and support England. I would support Scotland if they were there.”
Tony Blair also condemned the attacks during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, saying they were “appalling and totally unjustifiable”.
