Few football rivalries - if any - are more intense than the one that exists between Glasgow neighbours Rangers and Celtic.The Old Firm rivalry goes back well over 100 years and there’s little love lost between either the supporters or the players when the teams meet on the pitch.Subsequently, the footage of former Rangers player Nacho Novo angrily confronting a Celtic fan who had taunted him at Belfast International Airport hardly came as a shock.Novo, who plies his trade for the Gers between 2004-2010, approached the Celtic supporter who’d sung: "I hope you die in your sleep Nacho Novo."The Spaniard, who suffered a heart attack in January, could be heard on the video saying: “Why do you respect me like that? What have I f****** done to you? Have I done anything to you? What the f*** man?”Novo had travelled to Belfast to attend East Belfast FC’s academy prize-giving day for youngsters aged 11 and 12."We are disgusted and angry that Nacho was subjected to a barrage of vile sectarian abuse,” a spokesman for the academy has been quoted as saying by BBC News. "Not only does such behaviour have no place in sport, but it has no place within society."For those who haven't seen the footage, watch it here...
Chris Sutton nails it with tweet
There’s been plenty of reaction to the footage - including from Rangers and Celtic fans - but Chris Sutton’s tweet was particularly spot on.
The former Celtic star, who usually never misses an opportunity to take a cheeky dig at Rangers, has condemned the actions of the fan in question.
“The abuse Nacho Novo took at Belfast airport was shameful,” he tweeted, “we all like a bit of banter with the rivalry but what is wrong with people!!!!”
Well said, Chris. Although he’s a Celtic man through and through, he clearly sees that the line between banter and abuse was crossed in this instance.
Novo's statement and post with other Celtic fans
In a statement on his Facebook page, Novo wrote: “Appreciate all the messages and comments regarding the incident at the airport yesterday so many lovely Celtic fans I met that day shame that some felt the need to cause trouble.
“Football is all banter and rangers and Celtic fans and players will slag each other off and argue back and forth me included but I wouldn’t dream of attacking anyone physically or getting aggressive with fans. And I don’t appreciate aggression and abuse hurled at me.
“Appreciate the kind words from everyone today. I’m fine and today coaching lovely kids in Belfast. Thanks again.”
And he later posted a photo of himself smiling with two other Celtic fans alongside the caption: “These guys where fantastic and represented there team amazingly Credit to them!”