An expert on Arab affairs has cast doubt on one of the most commonly held perceptions of Old Firm fans held by supporters of provincial clubs.
Al Akhbar El-Farsa , Professor of Middle East Studies at the London School of Economics, has published a paper in the LSE Journal suggesting that the large number of Celtic and Rangers fans who "have only got one shoe", far from being a sign of poverty is actually symptomatic of a rich, multi cultural heritage.
The Professor puts forward the theory that many Old Firm fans , so often pilloried for their sectarian chants and allegiances, have secretly converted to Islam.
El Farsa postulates that many Celtic and Rangers have lost their footwear in street fights where they used the traditional Islamic insult of throwing a shoe at their enemies.
Secretary of the Billy Boys Aye Loyal Rangers Supporters Club, Ali Al-Kazaam, would not comment on the claims.
