These are not questions that Inverness Caledonian Thistle usually finds itself debating, but the club has opened a can of worms by preventing a fan displaying the Palestinian flag during last weekend's cup tie against Partick Thistle.
John Martin had made his way to the match after taking part in a demonstration in the city centre against the Israel's continuing attack on Gaza. As he went to buy a half time drink, he was told by stewards that a complaint had been made and if he did not put the flag away he would be ejected.
Yesterday the club explained its policy was not to allow any flags or banners that could be considered political or offensive. This may be a laudable aim but is one that will be very difficult to enforce consistently.
It could be argued that every national flag is political. By carrying one a person is announcing that they identify themselves with that country in some way. Certainly the Rangers fans who displayed Union Flags at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium earlier this month were making political points based on religious and racial intolerance every bit as controversial as anything the middle east can come up with.
And the same steward who so assiduously followed up the complaint against Mr Martin last Saturday will find plenty to do in the away fans' end next month, insisting on the removal of the countless Irish Tricolours that the Celtic supporters will no doubt bring with them.
Even the Scottish Saltire might be offensive to some, laden as it is with suggestions of Scottish independence.
But no Rangers fans were asked to take down their Union Flags, and you can be certain that Celtic supporters will be able to wave their Irish flags undisturbed for 90 minutes because the club's best intentions are quickly set aside when numbers are against them. Mr Martin was an easy target, seven thousand Rangers fans were not and so were left alone.
The club has form on this issue, causing controversy last season when several home supporters were ejected for singing (non-offensively but loudly) in the main stand, while the massed Glasgow hordes were allowed to sing their sectarian songs in the away seats. Although a Rangers fan was arrested at the recent match for chanting, he was sitting in the home end and easy to isolate.
We agree with the club that a football stadium is no place for politics or racial hatred. But if it is going to take a principled stand its enforcement policy must be seen to be fair, or else it will be the one being accused of prejudice.
Sorry for the C and P but it's too long to retype a summary.
This story opens up a lot of topics for discussion but the one I am mainly interested in is the ability of the club to censor supporters. As stated in the story ICT have a policy of removing flags and banners which may be considered offensive. One man's offence is another man's stance. Does this now make it an ejectable offence to display a "Brewster Out" banner? Will the club take action against Celtic supporters flying the tricolour, a symbol of Irish resistance against our home country? or Rangers fans flying the Union Flag, a symbol of 400 years of Westminster oppression? Like the story says this has opened up a whole new can of worms.
Firstly I am not sure where this thread belongs so if the mods wish please feel free to move it.
LINK TO COURIER
Sorry for the C and P but it's too long to retype a summary.
This story opens up a lot of topics for discussion but the one I am mainly interested in is the ability of the club to censor supporters. As stated in the story ICT have a policy of removing flags and banners which may be considered offensive. One man's offence is another man's stance. Does this now make it an ejectable offence to display a "Brewster Out" banner? Will the club take action against Celtic supporters flying the tricolour, a symbol of Irish resistance against our home country? or Rangers fans flying the Union Flag, a symbol of 400 years of Westminster oppression? Like the story says this has opened up a whole new can of worms.