Linfield/IFA Manager's no to Sunday Football

[saffron sam2]

Why is the 'no football on a Sunday' rule sectarian? I mean the Catholic church had a 'rule' about not doing paid work on a Sunday up until the last 20 years or so. In fact that's why GAA games were on a sunday, as it was the day for rest and recreation. That's obviously sleeping with the 'fish on a friday' rule nowadays, but it was hardly sectarian either.

Unless the IFA have this policy to ensure that Jews can't play on the Sabbath, then it's hardly sectarian.

Why is the 'no football on a Sunday' rule sectarian? I mean the Catholic church had a 'rule' about not doing paid work on a Sunday up until the last 20 years or so. In fact that's why GAA games were on a sunday, as it was the day for rest and recreation. That's obviously sleeping with the 'fish on a friday' rule nowadays, but it was hardly sectarian either.

Unless the IFA have this policy to ensure that Jews can't play on the Sabbath, then it's hardly sectarian.

Indeed AZ. Backwards - yes. Sectarian - how exactly?

Do either of you understand what sectarian means? It doesn't mean anti-Catholic, which this rule clearly wasn't. The comparisons between the rules of the IFA and the laws of the Catholic church are also irrelevant.

Here are a few definitions of sectarian from dictionary.com

- Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect.
- Adhering or confined to the dogmatic limits of a sect or denomination; partisan.
- Narrow-minded; parochial.
- a narrow-minded adherence to a particular sect or party or denomination

The rule was in place because those running the IFA had the religious belief that soccer shouldn't shouldn't be played on Sundays and by forcing their own narrow-minded opinions on everyone, I would suggest that the rule meets each of the above defintions of sectarian.

If the IFA was run by men adhering to a fundamentalist brnach of Islam and soccer was banned during Ramadan, would this be sectarian?

Sectarian yes, anti-Catholic no.

[AZOffaly]

Okay Mr. Pedant

Obviously in the context of Northern Ireland, sectarianism has taken a place in the vernacular. Sectarianism, in the context of the north, is taken to mean Catholic v Protestant, or vice versa.

If Tony was sticking to the dictionary definitiions you have kindly posted above, then I retract. Back in the real world, Tony is simply, in my opinion, trying to insinuate that everything Linfield, the Irish League, IFA or David Jeffries, in this case do is with an aim to sticking two fingers up at Ussuns.

And by the way, the GAA's rule that all GAA games would be on a Sunday was therefore also sectarian in it's own way, as it was based on the religious beliefs of the hierarchy as well. (And the hay being saved )

[Orior]

I actually got a bigger laugh with Rangers FC filing a complaint in against Coronation Street over the weekend 

Yes, i'm sure they're all very hurt, lol.

[T Fearon]

Sorry, AZOffaly, aligning your playing policy to one particular sect's weird beliefs is indeed sectarian, and ignores also the feelings of your catholic employees.

[AZOffaly]

So, just so I am clear, you are using sectarian in it's common usage in the north. i.e. this rule is deliberately antagonistic to Catholics?

[Gnevin]

For the benefit of all 26 counties readers who don't get this.

Linfield/IFA along with Glasgow Rangers have a deep history of sectarianism, including deliberately not recruiting catholics.

Both clubs make much of the cross community status of their playing staff these days and laughingly hold this up as a mirror to other sporting organisations who they perceive to be sectarian.

In my view, it is outrageous that the manager can align club policy with his own religious views when his club are trying to shake off their own shameful sectarian past

Who cares .You tell us this every 2 days .

[saffron sam2]

Okay Mr. Pedant

Obviously in the context of Northern Ireland, sectarianism has taken a place in the vernacular. Sectarianism, in the context of the north, is taken to mean Catholic v Protestant, or vice versa.

If Tony was sticking to the dictionary definitiions you have kindly posted above, then I retract. Back in the real world, Tony is simply, in my opinion, trying to insinuate that everything Linfield, the Irish League, IFA or David Jeffries, in this case do is with an aim to sticking two fingers up at Ussuns.

And by the way, the GAA's rule that all GAA games would be on a Sunday was therefore also sectarian in it's own way, as it was based on the religious beliefs of the hierarchy as well. (And the hay being saved )

If such a rule was in place, then yes it would sectarian.

[AZOffaly]

Okay Mr. Pedant

Obviously in the context of Northern Ireland, sectarianism has taken a place in the vernacular. Sectarianism, in the context of the north, is taken to mean Catholic v Protestant, or vice versa.

If Tony was sticking to the dictionary definitiions you have kindly posted above, then I retract. Back in the real world, Tony is simply, in my opinion, trying to insinuate that everything Linfield, the Irish League, IFA or David Jeffries, in this case do is with an aim to sticking two fingers up at Ussuns.

And by the way, the GAA's rule that all GAA games would be on a Sunday was therefore also sectarian in it's own way, as it was based on the religious beliefs of the hierarchy as well. (And the hay being saved )

If such a rule was in place, then yes it would sectarian.

There are hundreds of things that can be labled as sectarian, with the correct definition of the word, and not all of them are 'bad'.

Sectarianism in the north has a more specific meaning than the the dictionary definition though, and that's what I assume Tony is getting at.

[T Fearon]

AZOffaly, the ruling is antagonistic to anyone not sharing the beliefs of protestantism, therefore it is sectarian.

More importantly how can the manager's beliefs define the operational policy of the entire club? One must only assume that the Directors share the manager's viewpoint which means that Linfield/IFA remain a sectarian club.

[nifan]

one particular sect's weird beliefs

Is it that weird a belief in the grand scheme of religion?
Do you find any of the catholic churchs teachings weird?

[Maguire01]

At the end of the day, why should you/anyone here care what Linfield do? Yes, the decision may be based on religious beliefs, but at the end of the day, it's not actually discriminating against anyone, is it?

[Square Ball]

AZOffaly, the ruling is antagonistic to anyone not sharing the beliefs of protestantism, therefore it is sectarian.

More importantly how can the manager's beliefs define the operational policy of the entire club? One must only assume that the Directors share the manager's viewpoint which means that Linfield/IFA remain a sectarian club.

Tony, because they,Linfield, dont share the same beliefs as you does that make you sectarian?

[Rav67]

I would guess that the issue of what day this or any other soccer match is played causes little thought to any other Catholics in the whole of Ireland than Tony.

[imtommygunn]

Is it really any big deal? What odds if they play on Saturday or Sunday?

The only point I would make about it is that it may call the IFA's power into question. Due to Linfield not wanting to play on a Sunday do they just not play on a Sunday or do they play other games on a Sunday? If they allow all games but Linfield on a Sunday does that make them non-secterrian? Or does it make them "partially non sectarian?

Anyway the whole thing would be taken more seriously were it posted from an open minded poster!

[Main Street]

AZOffaly, the ruling is antagonistic to anyone not sharing the beliefs of protestantism, therefore it is sectarian.

More importantly how can the manager's beliefs define the operational policy of the entire club? One must only assume that the Directors share the manager's viewpoint which means that Linfield/IFA remain a sectarian club.

Tony, because they,Linfield, dont share the same beliefs as you does that make you sectarian?

Tony and SS2 have explained the point very well.
The managers personal beliefs are not sectarian, the dogmatic insistence in imposing his religious beliefs on the Sunday football issue as club policy is sectarian. The implied blackmail threat exemplifies that he has stepped way beyond his brief.
He should have resigned as club manager when the IFA voted to end the Sunday ban.