SPFL hoping to stamp out supporter misconduct after issuing revised rule book

[ian1964 10,487]

Scottish league chiefs hope to crack down on supporter misconduct after issuing a revised rule book.

 

The Scottish Professional Football League now expect all 42 of its member clubs to take strict disciplinary measures against fans who step out of line during matches.

 

The updated guidance, which comes into force immediately, sets out that home clubs are responsible for ensuring "good order and security" during league or Betfred Cup matches being staged at their stadium.

 

Hampden bosses will also now require clubs - both home and away - to step up efforts to identify culprits. The update comes after a number of worrying cases involving disruption on the terraces in recent months.

 

This season's opening Old Firm derby at Celtic Park was also marred when two effigies were hung from a section of the home support, while the Gers faithful were responsible for a trashed toilet.

 

Last term's William Hill Scottish Cup final - organised by the Scottish FA - ended amid shameful scenes when Hibernian and Rangers supporters clashed on the Hampden pitch. That led to a warning from Justice Secretary Michael Matheson that the government was prepared to introduce strict liability measures if clubs did not take action to curb trouble themselves.

 

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "The SPFL and its member Clubs are committed to preventing and to addressing Unacceptable Conduct where it arises, to ensure our stadiums are friendly, welcoming and safe environments where all supporters can enjoy Scottish football.

 

"This ongoing work includes this updated guidance for clubs which sets out the reasonably practicable measures that member clubs can take to address this issue and to identify and sanction those who engage in Unacceptable Conduct.

 

"It has been fully consulted on with all 42 clubs, the Scottish FA and the Scottish Government and, indeed, dialogue continues with the Government on a number of further measures which will be discussed early this year."

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15014265.SPFL_hoping_to_stamp_out_supporter_misconduct_after_issuing_revised_rule_book/

[MacK1950 2,255]

Okay clubs can save money by not having police cover in place as obviously the law is not going to deal with anything ????.

[pete 2,499]

Last term's William Hill Scottish Cup final - organised by the Scottish FA - ended amid shameful scenes when Hibernian and Rangers supporters clashed on the Hampden pitch.

 

So now it is 50-50 the next move is to make us the perpetrators. History is slowly being rewritten.

[ian1964 10,487]

So now it is 50-50 the next move is to make us the perpetrators. History is slowly being rewritten.

 

Yip!,it was a pitch invasion by both sets of fans and a brawl.....................,the assaults on Rangers players and staff never happened!, as for the damage to the pitch/goals and everything else that was vandalised never happened!.

[ian1964 10,487]

STV running with the same story, only they have a photo of Rangers fans!

 

[barca72 440]

Just a bit of over-exuberance, we are told.

[BrahimHemdani 1]

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "The SPFL and its member Clubs are committed to preventing and to addressing Unacceptable Conduct where it arises, to ensure our stadiums are friendly, welcoming and safe environments where all supporters can enjoy Scottish football.

 

"This ongoing work includes this updated guidance for clubs which sets out the reasonably practicable measures that member clubs can take to address this issue and to identify and sanction those who engage in Unacceptable Conduct.

 

This is complete and utter nonsense.

 

The Clubs are not now and never have been committed to stamping out unacceptable conduct. Doncaster knows that full well.

 

So long as the "reasonably practicable" defence remains there will always be a get out for clubs who can prove as they will all be able to do, that they followed the guidance in terms of policing, stewarding, announcements, etc etc etc.

 

In fact by setting out what constitutes, "reasonably practicable" measures they will ensure that Clubs have a better defence than hitherto when the unacceptable conduct occurs.

 

The recommendations made in 2012 have not worked.

 

Amendments to the SPL Unacceptable Conduct Rules

 

38. The JRG has recommended that the definition of “Unacceptable Conduct” within the SPL Rules (and by extension, those of the SFA) be extended to include ‘using words, conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000’.

 

Amendments to the guidance for clubs on the SPL Unacceptable Conduct Rules

 

39. Further recommendations have been made for amendments to the accompanying guidance notes which set out the minimum steps expected of SPL clubs in relation to Unacceptable Conduct. These amendments will place requirements on SPL clubs to:

 

• Bring unacceptable conduct to the attention of the Match Commander; o
  
• Take reasonably practical steps, including consultation with police, to identify those who engage in Unacceptable Conduct;
  
• Once identified, to apply proportionate sanctions against a supporter, or person exercising function for a club (other than as an official or an employee);
  
• Include requirements in all SPL clubs’ match ticket conditions, season ticket conditions and in Ground Regulations for supporters to adhere to a Fans Charter/Code of Conduct (once finalised);
  
• submit interim and annual reports to the SPL Secretary detailing actions taken to prevent unacceptable supporter conduct and steps taken to address unacceptable conduct that does occur;
  
• Maintain records of requests for police assistance, and or police interventions in relation to incidents of unacceptable conduct and the responses given.
  

 

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/925/0123798.pdf

 

The rule change making opposition to proscribed groups unacceptable conduct, was and is ludicrous; this was introduced as a sop to the police so they could appear even handed. I argued at the time that it was entirely illogical; but it was pushed through because the Police wanted it.

 

I told the Government Ministers at the final JAG meeting in 2012 that the only way to ensure that Clubs took responsibility for unacceptable conduct of spectators is to enforce strict liability. At the time the Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill said that they wanted to give the new rules a chance but if they didn't work then they would be minded to force the SPL to introduce strict liability.

 

"The changes mean clubs are now expected to take disciplinary measures against any supporter shown to have breached the rules or the league will take steps to sanction the club. Member clubs are also now expected to "develop proactive programmes and make progress towards raising awareness of the prevention and, where present, elimination of unacceptable conduct in stadia in which official matches take place."

 

This is just bullshit; clubs already take disciplinary measures against supporters they can identify as being involved in unacceptable conduct and producing a glossy brochure will do nothing in terms of prevention.

 

The new move can be seen as the final attempt by the Clubs to stave of the inevitable imposition of strict liability by government, the next time there is a major incident.

 

An SPFL spokesman said: "Dialogue is continuing with the Scottish Government on a number of further recommendations which will be discussed early in 2017."

 

You bet your life it is.

Edited January 11, 2017 by BrahimHemdani

[craig 5,199]

BH, where you say "club's already take disciplinary measures" I think you need to asterisk that with *wxcept Celtic....

 

They are still looking for the lighter thrower that hit Ricksen.... and did they not also allow a previously banned supporter back into Parkhead....

[boabie 230]

BH, where you say "club's already take disciplinary measures" I think you need to asterisk that with *wxcept Celtic....

 

They are still looking for the lighter thrower that hit Ricksen.... and did they not also allow a previously banned supporter back into Parkhead....

 

The whole of the gangrene brigade were banned. A short while later they got rewarded with their own section and later a standing section.

As some guy on tv said tonight - the SFA statement was the waste of a good tree.

[BrahimHemdani 1]

BH, where you say "club's already take disciplinary measures" I think you need to asterisk that with *wxcept Celtic....

 

They are still looking for the lighter thrower that hit Ricksen.... and did they not also allow a previously banned supporter back into Parkhead....

 

Boabie. The whole of the gangrene brigade were banned. A short while later they got rewarded with their own section and later a standing section.

As some guy on tv said tonight - the SFA statement was the waste of a good tree.

 

My point is that all Clubs will do the minimum they have to do to comply with the rules, because they are at virtually no risk of punishment they place placating supporters ahead of compliance with the rules.

 

I believe I am correct in saying that Motherwell are the only club ever to have been found guilty of such offences and even then all they had to do was write a few reports etc

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/Sport/14262264.Motherwell_guilty_of_SPFL_rules_breach_after_pitch_invasion_at_the_end_of_Fir_Park_play_off_victory_over_Rangers/

 

The football equivalent of a schoolboy getting a hundred lines.

 

The only way to deal with this problem is to hit the home clubs where it hurts, instantly and severely: close the ground (or a section of the ground where the trouble occurred) for the next home game; fine them a meaningful amount of money, like £100,000 for a first offence or at least the next offence after a first and final warning; or dock points on a sliding scale - say warning after ground closure then 3 points, then 6 points. Stuff like that, will make the clubs sit up and take notice.

 

But Doncaster knows that the clubs will never willingly introduce such measures, so long as they write their own rule book it will never happen.

 

So incidents will continue to occur and eventually the government will lose patience and impose strict liability, then and only then will the clubs impose meaningful sanctions on themselves.

Edited January 11, 2017 by BrahimHemdani