Fury over "Punch Neil Lennon" game

By Stephen Breen
Monday, 13 October 2008

Celtic coach Neil Lennon celebrates after they won the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League following the match at Tannadice Park, Dundee.

Celtic coach Neil Lennon celebrates after they won the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League following the match at Tannadice Park, Dundee.

Scottish bigots have been slammed for glorifying a violent attack on former Northern Ireland star Neil Lennon.

The anti-sectarian Nil By Mouth organisation in Glasgow hit out after a street attack on the Celtic first team coach was made into a vile computer game.

The webpage was launched earlier this month and mocks the attack on Lennon after his team’s 4-2 defeat by Old Firm rivals Rangers on August 31.

Players control a huge fist to punch the Lurgan-born star — who was knocked unconscious in the attack — on the head.

It also features a song about the Famine which was recently slammed by Celtic chairman and former Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid.

Calls have been made for the ‘Punch Lennon Down Ashton Lane’ web page to be banned.

The game has been condemned by supporters of both Celtic and Rangers.

Andy Kerr of the Rangers Supporters Assembly urged anyone with information on the internet pranksters to come forward.

Said Andy: “No fair-minded, ordinary fan would think this was appropriate.

“These people are not representative of the real fans who support Rangers.”

Jim Kenny, chairman of the Kevin Colhoun Celtic Supporters Club, also slammed the computer game.

“This game should be banned,” said Jim.

“Neil Lennon has suffered enough victimisation just because of his love for Celtic.”

Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with the attack in Lennon which happened in the plush Ashton Lane area of Glasgow.

Lennon has been a target for abuse since he joined Celtic in 2000 and was subjected to a death threat while playing for Northern Ireland.

The former Hoops captain has praised the IFA over its attempts to combat sectarianism among its fans.

But Lennon (37) believes there will always be a small minority of bigots who will bring shame on the game.

“I think the IFA have worked very hard but I do think there is an element there that, no matter what you do, you will never change their mindset,” he said.

“It's just a small minority, but they will always be there to spoil the party. When I look at Windsor Park now there seems to be a better atmosphere.

“Maybe that's a kickstart from what happened to me.

“I hope maybe some good has come out of all that.”

I did a search for this and encountered the Randalstown Celtic Supporters Club website which has a feature called "Hun Watch" (Hun being a sectarian term for Protestant). I wonder does Celtic FC know about the sectarianism of this supporters club??

Posted by Steve | 14.10.08, 16:18 GMT

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yea cause its just wrong, (as well as sectarian)

Posted by scoby90 | 13.10.08, 18:43 GMT

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Out of curiosity I had a look at the "game" and it is not just a punch Neil Lennon game - you can punch a variety of sports stars, actors etc. Even the option to punch the Queen and the Pope. So while I don't agree with it, it is not the sectarian witch hunt against poor wee Neil that is being portrayed.

Still, I suppose sectarian bigotry makes for a better story, doesn't it?

Posted by Richard | 13.10.08, 17:56 GMT

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ur rite mickey,but have robbie savage r ronaldo been knocked out when walking down the street? lennon is an easy target for these mindless bigots!!

Posted by steve | 13.10.08, 14:35 GMT

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Where can I download the game? Please post a link.

Posted by Percy Pirate | 13.10.08, 14:18 GMT

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Out of curiosity I looked up the game. You can choose which "celebrity" you want to punch, including various actors, sports people, the Queen and the Pope. While I agree that it is childish, it is not the big sectarian witch hunt that has been portrayed. I am fed up with every single Neil Lennon story being used as a vehicle to stir up sectatian bigotry.

Posted by Richard | 13.10.08, 14:07 GMT

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Probably not, but neither Savage nor Ronaldo have been savagely beaten up in the street recently.

Posted by Stephen | 13.10.08, 13:38 GMT

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are these people complaining seriously suggesting that they have never came across similar games with George bush/Tony blair, and even other footballers and celebrities etc being "punched"?

absolute nothing story. The media obsession of protecting "poor wee innocent Neil" is getting pathetic

Posted by Gary | 13.10.08, 13:34 GMT

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Would there be such a furore if it was a Punch Robbie Savage game, or Punch Ronaldo?

Posted by mickey | 13.10.08, 10:26 GMT

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