BBCNI says "no offence was intended" and it regrets "any upset caused" to viewers by the singing of a notorious anti-Catholic song during its live broadcast of a match at Windsor Park on Saturday.

But Ormeau Avenue bosses have raised eyebrows by claiming they were "not immediately aware of any issues with the audio feed of this live broadcast". That's despite anti-Catholic singing being clearly heard ringing around Windsor Park during BBCNI's coverage of the Belfast derby between Linfield and Glentoran.

We put a number of questions to BBCNI about the singing of The Billy Boys during their live coverage of the weekend match, which Linfield won 2-1 and after which the South Belfast club was presented with the Irish League trophy.

We asked BBCNI if it had engaged with any stakeholders to discuss steps to stop or mitigate the singing of sectarian songs during its live broadcast. Linfield fans routinely sing The Billy Boys at their home matches at Windsor Park and BBCNI bosses would have known that the singing was almost certain to take place. The club has been warned in the past by the IFA that it faces sanctions if the song continues to be sung, while the club itself has asked fans to refrain from singing The Billy Boys.

In response, BBCNI declined to say whether it had discussed with anyone the possibility of anti-Catholic singing going out live to a lunchtime audience. It said its focus was “primarily on the fixture itself”, adding “We work hard to mitigate editorial risks”. BBCNI declined to give any details of what work had been done to mitigate the risk of anti-Catholic singing during the live broadcast.

We further asked whether an apology had been made at the time or subsequently to viewers after The Billy Boys was heard during the live coverage. Dedicated sports channels routinely issue apologies when offensive words are broadcast live. BBCNI declined to answer that question, but said: “No offence was intended by the BBC and we regret any upset caused.”

BBCNI also issued a broad disclaimer, telling the Belfast Media Group "We aren’t responsible for people’s behaviour at football matches."

BBCNI’s broadcasting of anti-Catholic singing sparked a range of responses on Twitter.

“It's not surprising that certain elements in society are suddenly totally deaf,” remarked Benny, “but come the Féile…”

Dáithí asked BBCNI whether it would be giving the anti-Catholic singing “wall to wall coverage” as it does annually with “Ooh, ah, up the Ra” at Féile. “Or is your outrage selective too?”

Martin asked: “Surely the BBC apologised?”

Christopher said: “The Irish League is riddled with sectarianism.”

https://belfastmedia.com/the-billy-boys-at-windsor-bbc-says-it-regrets-any-offence-but-claims-it-didn-t-hear-anti-catholic-singing

by askmac

21 comments

  1. To quote @/squinteratn on twitter ala shocked-pikachu-face

    “I’m bitterly disappointed to report that I wasn’t in fact on Nolan yesterday to discuss the anti-Catholic singing broadcast live from Windsor Park by BBCNI on Saturday.
    I’m by my phone this morning, however, and still hopeful that the show’s Wolfe Tones unit will get in touch.”

    [https://x.com/squinteratn/status/1909509951791186326](https://x.com/squinteratn/status/1909509951791186326)

  4. I heard the chorus, not sure if the “up to our knees” line was sung or if it was the “family friendly” version they released a few years ago.

  5. Ach, sweet memories. I remember living in a house on Tates Avenue (early 90s) with 6 other female students, scared pretty shitless as bunches of ‘men’ walked down the road to windsor park singing the billy boys.

  6. I’ve been to Windsor only twice to see Liverpool play in a friendly. Both times I was surrounded by lads shouting ‘The Billy Boys’ at the top of their voices.

    I remember the faces were near purple and veins sticking out on their necks as they belted the song out as loud as they could.

  7. I’m sure the fans would be incredibly upset if they could read.

  8. Typical BBC…deaf to orange infraction, all over a green infraction….same with reporting on the situation in Palestine….and they call themselves impartial…having a laugh!

  9. > Linfield fans routinely sing The Billy Boys at their home matches at Windsor Park and BBCNI bosses would have known that the singing was almost certain to take place

    Perhaps the BBC should just stop covering Linfield matches, then.

    Can’t help but thinking if these were racist songs they were singing, it just wouldn’t be tolerated, by sponsors and the media, and hence by UEFA and the IFA. But sectarianism is grandfathered in or something… sure, it’s just part of some clubs’ identity and culture.

  10. unfortunately loyalists are simply inferior at making folk music compared to republicans so until they find a better tune this will continue

  11. A recent news report from the BBC had simply the best singing in the background with fuck the pope and the IRA as part of the chorus

  12. “Sorry you were offended, but you Fenian Bastards better still pay your licence fee or we’ll lock you up”

    -BBC

  13. bullshit

    edit- im saying the bbcs excuse is bullshit, i think some of ya all arent realising that

  14. Would generally not be surprised to find out that the BBC’s top staff would have to be told it was offensive.

    What I mean is, their privilege and inbuilt supremacy operates at a level wherein they wouldn’t even have considered this could possibly be problematic.

    ‘Slashing taigs throats with razors? By jove, is that not allowed these days?’

  15. Any catholic watching that shite football deserves to be offended!

  17. It’s mad that we don’t have tricolours in a St Patrick’s day parade to promote inclusivity when this and the 12th are routinely tolerated. I’m glad it was heard though, the reality is it’s not a welcoming environment for nationalists. Hard to deny it when it’s on a national broadcast.

  19. When they say BBC here, they mean the Unionist Bigots in BBC NI.

    What is diversity like in there, and is the football outside broadcast unit full of bigots in particular? 

  20. Oh man! When will these idiots learn that the world has changed? I live in the west of Scotland and was brought up a Rangers supporter. I have stopped going to matches here partly because of hearing this shite and a host of other sectarian songs. The fact that rangers are shite doesn’t help 🤪

    Rangers fans complain about Celtic fans singing “the boys of the old brigade” etc whilst shouting out their UVF songs. You really couldn’t make it up.

    It’s beyond high time that this crap was consigned to history.

  21. I go to Irish league games and out of all the teams only one spends the whole match singing sectarian songs. How they can’t hear it is beyond me

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