At yesterday’s Rangers AGM, things generally passed with a whimper. But on one matter – relating to the ongoing BBC Scotland boycott of Rangers – any questions were swerved.
Rangers supporter’s group and significant shareholders Club 1872 asked the question. More than that, they accused the Broadcaster of being “hostile” with the club. They went on to criticise punditry, before asking the Board if there had been any progress.
The response of Managing Director Stewart Roberton won’t fill you with much optimism.
“They have chosen not to cover our games. We sit down with them once a quarter but are no closer to resolving it now than 12 months ago,” said Robertson.
“We’ll keep the dialogue going to see if we can get it resolved. There is no desire for us not to get involved but they need to come to the table.”
He also said that he doesn’t think it’s the media outlets policy to speak down to Rangers but acknowledged numerous incidents over the past three years.
BBC Scotland letting down supporters
The BBC Scotland Rangers relationship has been fractured for years but came to a head with the revoking of Chris McLaughlin’s rights to report at Ibrox.
The BBC see this as an act of solidarity. Even though McLaughlin has now switched roles. The boycott will have been in place for three years come January.
This is incredibly poor form by the Broadcaster. What about those license-paying older fans who like the listen to the game on the tranny? What about those whose only access to the club is through terrestrial television?
Surely there’s a resolution to this?
This petty disconnect smacks of real disrespect to people who have paid their license fees for decades.
It’s clear from Robertson’s statements that Rangers feel it is the BBC who are the obtuse party here.
They have to swallow their pride for the good of the game in Scotland. And for the fans who pay their license fees.
But should the club be doing more to push the Broadcaster?
