ian1964 10,447 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 ALCOHOL could be barred from sale in shops throughout Glasgow before Old Firm games as part of a plan to reduce the amount of football-related violence at or around matches, under plans being considered by police and government officials. Talks between police and supermarkets will take place over the coming weeks to consider the moves that would bring off-sales into line with pubs, which are also shut until the games begin. However, licence holders say that the moves would only lead to drinkers stocking up in advance of a game, while also inconveniencing hundreds of supermarket customers who want to buy alcohol as part of their shop. The ban would form part of a joint action plan due to be unveiled at the end of this month by the Scottish Government. Last week, First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would allow more time to debate controversial measures to criminalise offensive behaviour at or around football matches, and to crack down on published religious-based threats. Supporters of free speech, however, say they are deeply concerned by the proposals and have launched a Holyrood petition opposing the plans. Last night, one leading expert on football-related violence compared the new laws to the German and Austrian ban on holocaust denial. However, Salmond and Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland say they will press ahead with the measures. Ministers have emphasised that the new laws are only a part of a wider crackdown brought about as a result of the scenes that marred the end of the last football season. Police sources say one option under consideration is to return to the old licensing laws that barred alcohol sales before noon on a Sunday. On moves to prevent alcohol from being sold in off-sales before a game, Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association warned: "There is no doubt that is one of the ways they want to tackle this but if you stop people buying it then, they will just buy alcohol at another time." A spokesman for the Wine and Spirits Trade Association said: "We are working with the police and happy for them to have discussions with us and suggest a way forward." Last night one legal expert, Dr David McArdle, said the plans to crack down on offensive behaviour amounted to the "criminalising of hate speech". Under the legislation, offensive behaviour deemed likely to incite public disorder or which is offensive to a reasonable person will be deemed an offence. McArdle said: "It begins to get close to the laws on holocaust denial in Germany and Austria, or the laws on banning the 'n' word in certain parts of the US." He also criticised the fact that the offence only applies when at or near a football match. He said: "You would be able to sing these songs during the marching season when there is no football on, but then wouldn't be able to do it a week after when the football season begins." Yesterday, it emerged that freedom of speech campaigners had launched a petition campaigning against the crackdown, which they describe as "extreme and illiberal". One supporter of the petition wrote: "This Bill might become the thin end of a fascist wedge in which government attempts to select/censor speech." http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/news/Offsales--booze-ban-for.6791283.jp?articlepage=1 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete 2,499 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 ALCOHOL could be barred from sale in shops throughout Glasgow before Old Firm games as part of a plan to reduce the amount of football-related violence at or around matches, under plans being considered by police and government officials.Talks between police and supermarkets will take place over the coming weeks to consider the moves that would bring off-sales into line with pubs, which are also shut until the games begin. However, licence holders say that the moves would only lead to drinkers stocking up in advance of a game, while also inconveniencing hundreds of supermarket customers who want to buy alcohol as part of their shop. The ban would form part of a joint action plan due to be unveiled at the end of this month by the Scottish Government. Last week, First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would allow more time to debate controversial measures to criminalise offensive behaviour at or around football matches, and to crack down on published religious-based threats. Supporters of free speech, however, say they are deeply concerned by the proposals and have launched a Holyrood petition opposing the plans. Last night, one leading expert on football-related violence compared the new laws to the German and Austrian ban on holocaust denial. However, Salmond and Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland say they will press ahead with the measures. Ministers have emphasised that the new laws are only a part of a wider crackdown brought about as a result of the scenes that marred the end of the last football season. Police sources say one option under consideration is to return to the old licensing laws that barred alcohol sales before noon on a Sunday. On moves to prevent alcohol from being sold in off-sales before a game, Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association warned: "There is no doubt that is one of the ways they want to tackle this but if you stop people buying it then, they will just buy alcohol at another time." A spokesman for the Wine and Spirits Trade Association said: "We are working with the police and happy for them to have discussions with us and suggest a way forward." Last night one legal expert, Dr David McArdle, said the plans to crack down on offensive behaviour amounted to the "criminalising of hate speech". Under the legislation, offensive behaviour deemed likely to incite public disorder or which is offensive to a reasonable person will be deemed an offence. McArdle said: "It begins to get close to the laws on holocaust denial in Germany and Austria, or the laws on banning the 'n' word in certain parts of the US." He also criticised the fact that the offence only applies when at or near a football match. He said: "You would be able to sing these songs during the marching season when there is no football on, but then wouldn't be able to do it a week after when the football season begins." Yesterday, it emerged that freedom of speech campaigners had launched a petition campaigning against the crackdown, which they describe as "extreme and illiberal". One supporter of the petition wrote: "This Bill might become the thin end of a fascist wedge in which government attempts to select/censor speech." http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/news/Offsales--booze-ban-for.6791283.jp?articlepage=1 I don't even read bullshit like this if people can't buy booze on matchday they will top up on the day before. It may help a little bit but it won't cut out people drinking before the game. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Did all this nonsense not start as a result of the touchline altercation between Lennon & McCoist ? If so, why are the regular punters being punished because of it ? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggordy 0 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 What a waste of everyone's time and energy. What kind of folk do we have making these proclamations ? Another "big idea" from our devolved Parliament, does someone get paid to come out with these things. Gawd help us. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears 0 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 From a personal point of view i don;t care as i don;t drink before the game as i like to sit and watch with a clear head. BUT i do appreciate that a lot of you do like a bevvy before the match, before anyone bites my head off 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 What a joke. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 I didn't realise Gersnet had so many alcoholics. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 I didn't realise Gersnet had so many alcoholics. You were probably too drunk to notice 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,447 Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 Pathetic,this country is getting worse,absolute joke 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 (edited) Pathetic,this country is getting worse,absolute joke I think that's a bit of an exageration. People are trying to sort out the problems in society which are brought on by certain people and arsehole football fans yet the majority of Rangers fans (I wouldn't know about other clubs fans) don't seem to be taking any responsibility for their actions on OF days. By the way, everyone has got it wrong somewhere. The police, the SFA, the government and the fans. I love it how all the football fans blame everyone but themselves. They're the ones who drink and then end up fighting. Edited June 27, 2011 by Gazza_8 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.