Labour call for SPL clubs to be docked points for fans' offensive chanting

[ian1964 10,455]

SPL clubs should be docked points if they don't tackle bigotry among their fans, Labour claimed last night.

 

The radical idea is the centrepiece of the party's plan to stamp out sectarianism.

 

They claim it's a better option than the Scottish Government's controversial new anti-bigotry law, which MSPs will be asked to back this week.

 

Labour say their scheme, which also includes calls for better education for youngsters, wouldn't require a law change.

 

Clubs would face warnings, then fines and finally lost points, if their fans continued to misbehave.

 

Labour's Shadow Community Safety Minister, James Kelly, said that under his plan, "the behaviour of fans could mean the difference between winning and losing the league".

 

He added that, with stakes that high, he was confident of changing the behaviour of the minority of fans who spout sectarian hatred.

 

Kelly urged SPL bosses to back the scheme, but Rangers FC said Labour's plan was "unnecessary".

 

The club said: "The SPL already has measures in place to deal with inappropriate behaviour by supporters."

 

Rangers said clubs were already required to show they were tackling bad behaviour by fans, and should not "automatically be punished for things beyond their control".

 

Rangers added: "We do a great deal to tackle sectarianism. The focus should be on people and organisations working together to address the issue, rather than placing the ills of society at the doors of football clubs."

 

Celtic said they had "not had an issue" with sectarianism at their club. They added that it was "a societal issue, and should not be laid solely at the door of football clubs".

 

Fans of both Old Firm sides have protested against the Government's bigotry Bill. They claim it is an attack on free speech that could see fans jailed for five years for singing.

 

The Bill is due to come before Parliament on Wednesday and is likely to pass because of the SNP's overall majority.

 

It criminalises religious, racial or homophobic bigotry at football matches.

 

The Bill will create two new crimes - sectarian and threatening behaviour at or around games, and stirring up religious hatred on the internet. Both will carry jail terms of up to five years.

 

Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories have refused to back the proposed new law, which critics have described as "not fit for purpose" and a potential nightmare to police.

 

And Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham has tabled a last-minute amendment which would give the Government a get-out if the Bill proves unworkable.

 

It would let ministers use minor legislation to "disapply" parts of the law, allowing a quick u-turn.

 

A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers would continue to take "an inclusive approach" to tackling sectarianism, and had spent s500,000 backing anti-hate groups.

 

He added: "We need to tackle the scourge of sectarianism wherever and whenever it occurs - on the terraces, in the street, or at the workplace."

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/12/12/labour-call-for-spl-clubs-to-be-docked-points-for-fans-offensive-chanting-in-new-plan-to-beat-bigotry-86908-23629213/

[der Berliner 3,290]

Politicians at their worst. Milking a non-story to the hilt. As has been shown by facts and statistics, there is no such thing as widespread sectarianism in Scotland and even that shown at football grounds is nothing more than cynical or vile banter. But banter nonetheless. There ain't Billy Boys - brigades et al roaming the streets at night.

 

These people should get their act together and ban and pursue those who commit criminal acts against the Terroism Act 2006 week in and week out. Obviously, politicians have no word in how the SFA and SPL handles their leagues. Thus far ...

[GovanAllan 0]

No problem with this but for the Bheasts to claim they don't have a problem give me strength they would end up with half the points they have at the moment.

[calscot 0]

Docking points is stupid: Imagine we're ahead by two points in the title run-in, what is to stop Celtic fans pretending to be Rangers fans, coming along and singing songs that mean we drop points (problem being that we have enough bears who won't be able to help themselves joining in and so it wouldn't take many of them)?

 

And vice versa of course.

[GovanAllan 0]

The stench, the monobrow and the permanent vacant expression on there face. :smile:

[juffery 0]

I call for political parties to be docked votes when getting involved in things they really don't have to when there are so many bigger problems in the country.

[Guest Dutchy]

I wonder what team would be first to have points docked?

 

I'm in favour of a secular state, one consequence of which will be that any church/religion has absolutely no say in the running of government. Also, it would get rid of the state funding of religious schools, which is the breeding ground for the majority of this hate in the first place.

[Ergatrude 0]

I call for Labour to be docked wages for every commitment they haven't met.

 

Fucking idiots, our country is in the shit & this is what they come out with?

[Zappa 0]

James Kelly is an idiot.

[26th of foot 5,859]

James Kelly is an idiot.

 

James Kelly aspires to be an idiot.