Pyro, fireworks and flares in Napoli are wonderful, switch the scene to Glasgow Cross and you’ll find Tom English and the BBC Scotland crew pouring out their anger and disgust.
Few items highlight the hypocrisy of the state broadcaster more than the contrast in their treatment of the title wins of Napoli and Celtic.
When it happens far from home it is a wonderful spectacle, atmospheric, something to get chins stroking but if it is those pesky Selik fans stopping the traffic and enjoying the success of their club it is time for the hand-wringers to dig out last years shock horror stories to be revived and freshened up.
On Friday night thousands tuned in to TNT Sports to watch Napoli clinch the title ahead of Inter Milan with Scott McTominay the driving force in their scudetto success.
BBC Scotland sent Chris McLaughlin to the south of Italy to cover the events, more than the football, more than the tactics of Antonio Conte and the playing role of McTominay.
McLaughlin is there to pick up the colour, excitement and spectacle of Napoli’s fourth title win. What it means to the area, to the fans, the people on the street that feel apart from the rest of Italy, especially the prosperous north which traditionally dominates Italian football. There is a story there, there are many.
A city devoted to Diego Maradona since the eighties has fallen for the influence of a Scotland internationalist, someone born and brought up in Lancaster, who came through the ranks at Manchester United before being discarded from Old Trafford in a bid to keep on the right side of Financial Sustainability Regulations.
There are stories galore to be had, while McLaughlin was out on the streets sampling and soaking it up the Chief Sports Writer at BBC Scotland was elsewhere.
English was in the shed of his wife’s home, plodding through another predictable reaction from afar to a massive Scottish sporting achievement. Dull, predictable waffle, a trademark English contribution, inferior to that of a fourth year school pupil working on their Standard Grade.
Whether it is the Olympics, a Lions Tour or any other grand event English will be sweating it out from afar, piecing together the cliches as if he is some wizened wordsmith bringing a fresh perspective to major achievements.
To be fair to him, English is affectionately known as House Paddy among his BBC Scotland colleagues, a box ticking exercise alongside Kenny Macintyre, Alsadair Lamont, Jane Lewis and Steven Thompson. For diversity there is Cammy Bell, Shelley Kerr, Andy Halliday and Dick Foster to call on.
If that was Glasgow you’d write an article saying how dreadful and scary it was.
— Danny (@deejaypb) May 23, 2025
Over the last week BBC Scotland have been sharing their horror and outrage over the celebrations of the Celtic supporters in the city centre, while quietly tapping their toes to the Orange hate marches that blight Glasgow throughout the summer months.
Various outraged sources have been sharing their fury and anger, it seems that 20 arrests were made between Celtic Park and the Trongate which is probably below average for Glasgow city centre on any given Saturday.
Celtic fans know the script and the agendas at play- which adds extra spice to the success of their team as the numbers of people paying the BBC licence crashes through the floor.
BBC Scotland have @BBCchrismclaug out in Naples reporting on the great scenes as Napoli fans celebrate on the streets of Naples. The same BBC Scotland that run reports where Celtic fans celebrating on the streets of Glasgow are condemed. The hypocrisy of the Scottish media.
— peter kelly (@pedrok111) May 24, 2025
This you, Tom?
“What about everybody else? The ones who don’t want pyro?”
Hypocritical is an understatement. https://t.co/BJkonriJLa
— Derek Watson (@derekwatson89) May 24, 2025
With respect Tom, you’ve spent time hammering the use of pyrotechnics in Scotland but described a video of the Neapolitan sky lit up with flares and fireworks as incredible.
A video that is in actual fact from New Years Eve rather than last night.
“Just go with the vibes.” https://t.co/XAoCb5hZGM
— Derek Watson (@derekwatson89) May 24, 2025
It’s also illegal to let off pyro in the streets, both here and in Naples.
As you’ll see from the below video, it’s also “potentially very dangerous”
But in your words, one is “incredible” and the other is the “arrogance” of the “pro-pyro brigade.” Thats hypocritical. https://t.co/y7rfJfg9Wb
— Derek Watson (@derekwatson89) May 24, 2025
Stunning – but just don’t let in happen in Scotland (i.e. when Celtic are winning).
Aye OK Tom.
— Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo (@Jedbob67) May 24, 2025
Hypocritical to the max.
Is it not dangerous and doesn’t add to the spectacle?
— Ray (@Homerbhoy) May 24, 2025
Just wait till the city council finds out.
— Davie O’Brien (@DylanCFC89) May 23, 2025
Are you not the first to condemn scenes like this over here? Double standards
— Skye Sports Scotland (@Skye_SportsScot) May 24, 2025
Ah so flares are ok now?
— Dazza (@CoplandBear83) May 24, 2025
Two faces of Tom and SMS
— mary (@marymccluskey1) May 24, 2025
The irony being you’re not the brightest at times
— RC (@R0SC0C) May 24, 2025
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by Valentine's day massacre
During his piece for the late BBC 1 Scottish news last night , ( the Scottish cup final never got a word of mention ) , Chris MC Laughlin even broke into an ultra rare smile when in Italy ! It was like watching water turning into wine miraculously seeing his boat being so happy …it’s nice to see the national broadcaster holding in order it’s priority stories ? I wonder if ‘ big Thommo ‘ will be smiling as much today as his pal did in Naples , last night ? Nah…doubt it !