IT'S always interesting to see whether news outlets choose to use "British" or "Scottish" in their reporting.
The classic example is Andy Murray: Scottish when he loses, British when he wins.
That isn't even near as egregious as what Sky News have just pulled off though.
You'll have heard that England are currently competing in the World Cup in Russia.
Police are now hunting a group of their fans captured on video giving a Nazi salute in a Russian bar. They are also alleged to be singing an anti-Semitic song in the clip.
This all took place in Volgograd, where England were playing Tunisia.
So, a quick recap: fans supporting the England national team are being hunted by police for performing Nazi salutes.
And what was the Sky News headline?
"Police hunt UK football fans who performed Nazi salute."
Police hunt UK football fans who performed Nazi salute https://t.co/7b14FSektm
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 21, 2018
Since when was there a UK football team? Or are Sky News trying to have the police waste their resources?
These are England supporters, yet because it's a negative story, they've been transformed into "UK football fans".
Sky News updated the headline on the report after the backlash from Scots, but the tweet still reveals what the original said.
And there were some excellent responses to it.
If they were donating blood or helping old ladies across the road they'd be English football fans. Do you people have no self-awareness?
— Peter A Bell #DissolveTheUnion (@BerthanPete) June 21, 2018
Any suspicion about what part of the UK they might be from?
— James Dornan SNP (@glasgowcathcart) June 22, 2018
I'd maybe start in England first.. just helping you narrow down your search. You're welcome
— J (@dharmabum013) June 21, 2018
I am sure there are a majority of English fans who would wish to disassociate themselves from these hooligans
— David K (@orpheusfound) June 21, 2018
But trust me - there are 100% Scottish, 100% Welsh, and 100% Northern Irish who you have just offended with your lazy, half - arsed excuse for a headline
Does this mean is England win the World Cup your headline will be “Uk wins the World Cup 2018”?
— Maggie Rankin (@maggiejrankin) June 21, 2018
No. Thought not.
There is only one Uk nation in the World Cup. England. You’re fooling no-one, and pissing off the other UK members.
Please stop
In all fairness, we shouldn't have to worry about that headline coming up, whether it's "UK" or "England".
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel