The day Celtic keeper Artur Boruc was cautioned but not by the referee | OneFootball

The day in August 2005 when Artur Boruc was cautioned by the Police for blessing himself was an embarrassment for our game and also for Scottish society…

Artur Boruc Glasgow Celtic FC, Celtic c Hearts, Celtic Park, Glasgow 15 October 2005. Photo Allstar/Richard Selle

Does anyone really believe Scotland has moved on since then? Almost twenty years ago Artur Boruc received a police caution for committing the serious offence of blessing himself during a football match at Ibrox.

Artur was a wind up merchant

Yes, Artur was a wind up merchant and most likely knew that it annoy the bigots in the Rangers support, but it was an action that is neither ‘inflammatory’ or illegal and is a simple personal act that he and tens of millions of others do on a regular basis. Footballers the world over are seen doing it just about every match but it’s only deemed offensive and controversial in one country* and in particular at one stadium.

The folk who should be ashamed are the ones who found it offensive in the first place. How can anyone be offended by someone simply blessing themselves? Indeed many of the Ibrox players in recent years do it on the park even if they have been advised by the club to undertake such ‘controversial’ gestures inside the tunnel or dressing room.

Artur Boruc and Neil Lennon celebrate Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hearts at Celtic Park on 4th November 2006.

Eventually after a stir being rightly caused the official reason given for Artur getting cautioned was not for the act of blessing ones self, but for ‘inflammatory gestures’ which was just the system saving themselves from embarrassment, nothing less.

All you need is a simple on google search to gauge the reaction of several Rangers supporters groups  at the time who were all calling for Boruc to be punished for a simple religious act. Even some of the SMSM were equal in their call for punishment. It’s all there in black and white.

That was only twenty years ago, are we to believe that this sort of thinking has simply disappeared?

No would be the right answer. There is still sectarianism alive and kicking in the same football stands and corridor of power in this country. Anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves.

Artur Boruc celebrates at Ibrox waving a Champions flag. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Years later Artur Boruc, speaking to the official Legia Warsaw FC website, gave his side of the story, explaining why he blessed himself at Ibrox ahead of kick-off.

“I’ve always done it before every match and I still do it. It wasn’t like I came up with it specifically for the Rangers match. However, I knew that the fans of this team are very annoyed.

“As far as I know, there was no warning from the prosecutor’s office. Yes, proceedings against me may have been initiated, even a parliamentary meeting on this matter was held. But I didn’t have any major troubles because of my behaviour.

“It’s definitely something more than the usual. When you get out on to the pitch, you feel that the opposing supporters hate you, but the match day itself was relatively calm.  It is known that there was a bit more adrenaline due to the fact that there are a lot of fans in Glasgow.

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc (L) celebrates saving the deciding penalty against Spartak Moscow during their UEFA Champions League, third qualifying round, second leg match at Celtic Park on 29 August 2007. (Photo credit PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“You could see the middle finger pointing towards me or hear some vulgar cries. It made you want to live, that life became more colourful. To be honest, such great tension is felt only two or three days before the match. It is known, however, that every day you have to live side by side and it does not cause major problems.

“I have the impression that the times when it was really dangerous are over, but for sure the fans sometimes bite each other.”

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

* Occupied six counties isn’t really a country.

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books.  ORDER NOW WHILE STOCKS LAST!

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