Two Arrested At Ibrox Under New Law

[ian1964 10,418]

Officers detained one 47-year-old outside Ibrox stadium during Rangers' clash with Hearts.

Another supporter was huckled out of the ground during the crisis-hit club's 2-1 defeat by the Jambos.

The pair could now face a staggering FIVE YEARS in prison if they are charged under the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act which finally came into force on Thursday.

And they could be banned from soccer grounds if found to be indulging in bigoted and threatening behaviour which could incite violence at and around games.

The Act was borne out of a series of high-profile bust-ups and sectarian incidents last season which shamed Scottish football.

And the law was pushed through by the SNP at Holyrood last November â?? despite huge opposition from clubs, fans' groups, church leaders and legal experts.

There were NO arrests during yesterday's showdown between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie â?? but yesterday's crackdown at Ibrox has led to yet more concerns over freedom of expression.

Peter Kearney, of the Catholic Church, said: "We are in favour of the threatening communications element and clamping down on web hate. But the new law risks infringing freedom of expression because the term offensiveness is so wide.

"Isn't 50,000 rugby fans singing Flower of Scotland offensive to English people?"

Mr Kearney, below left, added: "What is the main job of a football fan? It is to cheer on their team and offend opponents. In the confines of a stadium fans shout abuse at one another, which is not abnormal.

"Part of the thing about football is you let off steam. I think we would rather there is screaming and shouting in the ground than physical violence in the street."

A massive 3,330 signatures OPPOSING the law have already been amassed by the Take a Liberty (Scotland) campaign.

The drive is the brainchild of university boffin Dr Stuart Waiton.

The 44-year-old said: "Scottish football is probably now the most regulated environment in the world. You can be offensive as a comic, a rugby fan or as lots of people â?? but clearly not as a football fan.

"There's an old form of contempt for working-class football fans. Sectarianism in Scotland has not got very much to do with religion.

"So the fact the government bangs on about religion, when it means less and less to people, is peculiar.

"Sectarianism doesn't mean Protestants hate Catholics, it's a football thing.

"You have ordinary people singing songs in order to wind up the opposition.

"There is no need to 'tolerate' a football fan's behaviour, because the passion and even the offensiveness on display is what helps make it the greatest game in the world."

And Scottish Tory justice spokesman David McLetchie said: "This is just the beginning of what will be a flood of prosecutions as established laws are ignored in favour of this new legislation. This will no doubt be presented as a great success by the SNP but in reality it is a complete sham as the existing laws were more than adequate to deal with this behaviour."

But the law WAS praised by the groundbreaking Nil By Mouth group who have branded sectarian bigotry as Scotland's "cancer".

Director Dave Scott said: "We will be monitoring how the new law is being implemented closely. Judging by our inbox I suspect the online aspect of the law will be the one to watch.

"The internet is being used to bring sectarianism into the 21st century and people feel that they can peddle it without consequences."

And Roseanna Cunningham the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, said the Act was designed to ensure most fans can enjoy the game.

She said: "The overwhelming majority of fans who have been supporting their teams in the true spirit of the game for years have absolutely nothing to fear from this legislation. In fact it is designed to improve their experience, ensuring they can focus on football and not be distracted by the mindless, hateful prejudices of a small minority.

"This legislation will have no impact on the banter and passionate support that goes hand in hand with supporting football teams.

"It is not about discouraging the rivalry that is the lifeblood of football â?? it is about eradicating sectarianism and other unacceptable expressions of hate from our national game."

She said the government had taken a hard line against the bigots after pleas from police and prosecutors.

Ms Cunningham added: "The majority of Scots, 91 per cent, supported tougher action to tackle sectarianism.

"This legislation will not be the one-stop solution to all our problems. That is why I recently announced £9million over the next three years to continue work to tackle sectarianism across society.

"Attitudes change over time and this marks the beginning of the end of the shame that has blighted our glorious game for too long."

We want to hear your views on The Sunday issue. Please leave your comments below

 

 

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scot...#ixzz1o6V7XLYo

[der Berliner 3,249]

2 out of 50k make the headlines. I wait till Double Standards shows us the singsongs at Pittodrie yesterday and what the police did about this.

[Guest Dutchy]

The politicians still seem to be banging out the same bullshit, that this law is going to eradicate sectarianism in society.

 

Again, surely they should be looking at the seperation of young children in the educational system if they truely wanted to remove diffirences in society!

[Gers4Life 0]

2 out of 50k make the headlines. I wait till Double Standards shows us the singsongs at Pittodrie yesterday and what the police did about this.

 

Absolutely nothing will get done the match delegate was more than likely in the pisser so heard nothing!

[calscot 0]

I wish they would stop using Flower of Scotland as an example - there is absolutely NOTHING offensive in it that can even be compared with anything. It's even incredibly respectful to the antagonist in the song who in history invaded our country and acted like a evil tyrant. And not once does it mention the English never mind any animosity towards them - or anyone! Not even Edward.

 

You'd have to be a complete dunce to find that song offensive.

[Tannochsidebear 2,315]

This is an absolute non-story. There were two arrests at the match. There is absolutely no indication that they were arrested for an offence under the new law. It was more likely a BotP charge on both cases, especially the one outside the ground which more than likely involved drink given by past statistics.

 

Didnt stop the Sun making up a sectarian story without any facts whatsoever. Really poor journalism as usual.

[mmckgers 4]

You can tell this law was made by people who DONT attend football at all and just believe that sectarianism is a problem simply at a football ground or on a forum.

 

If anything, its going to make less people attend games. The complete uncertainty of what is allowed and what is offensive leaves the situation to the opinion of police and stewards.