ian1964 10,389 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 By Reevel Alderson Home affairs correspondent, BBC Scotland Football clubs have been warned that the Scottish government will act if they do not root out sectarianism in the sport. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the "vile cancer" was a societal problem, and was not just connected to football. But he said there were far too many incidents of sectarianism around football grounds. He said clubs must say how they will tackle the problem - and if not, "all options" remain on the table. Police warn of rise in football sectarianism and violence Police Scotland look into sectarian singing and coin throwing It comes after a recent Scottish Police Authority board meeting heard how offensive behaviour at Scottish football matches had increased in the last year. Officers have been attacked and spat on and a police horse also required treatment after it was hit with a flare, the board heard. Mr Yousaf also announced an additional £530,000 for anti-sectarian organisations, bringing the total allocated to £14m since 2012. The government's controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, introduced in 2012, was repealed in 2018. Sectarianism, once dubbed "Scotland's shame", recently returned to the headlines after Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke highlighted the verbal abuse he received from Rangers fans. Kilmarnock and ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd also spoke out about chants he was subjected to by Celtic supporters. Others to have shared their negative experiences of life in the Old Firm spotlight include Chris Sutton and Neil McCann. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Yousaf said he would be prepared to legislate again. He said: "When it comes to legislation, my challenge to the football clubs and others is: 'Show me how you're going to act. Tell me how you're going to root this out'. "But if you don't then we reserve the right to act. "And I'll look at legislation we currently have, like licensing laws for example. I'll look at potential solutions like strict liability for example, and we will not rule them out and we will not take them off the table. "So all the options remain very firmly on the table." Combating bigotry Mr Yousaf said the government would do whatever was within its power to tackle bigotry, including at football, marches and parades or in work places. As he announced grants to projects tackling the issue at school-level, he said education was pivotal. A grant of £85,000 was given to Sense Over Sectarianism (SOS), which supports pupils in Glasgow to recognise and combat bigotry and provides training for teachers across the country. Development officer, Mark Adams said: "In the past 12 months SOS has worked with unprecedented numbers and this funding gives the programme a solid platform to build on and consolidate this success. "In addition we will be able to once again host the national month of action for Scottish schools which proved very popular in February of this year." 'Lacking leadership' Another project to benefit from the new round of funding was Nil By Mouth, which provides free anti-sectarian education in workplaces. Director Dave Scott said: "We have seen huge interest in our tackling sectarianism in the workplace programme in recent years with more than 125 employers participating, including more than a third of Scottish local authorities. "Scotland is bigger, better and bolder than bigotry and this welcome investment in grassroots projects like ours will take that message to schools, colleges, universities, workplaces and communities right across the country and help people find their voices on this issue." Prof Duncan Morrow, former chair of the independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland, said: "The past few months have shown that sectarianism remains a problem in Scotland. "There is no doubting that progress has been made, especially in communities, but it will continue to rear its head if it is not faced and addressed firmly. "I am pleased that the Scottish government remains committed to tackling sectarianism, and hope that others outside of government will now show the leadership that has been lacking for so long." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-47750125 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 26th of foot 5,825 Posted March 30, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 30, 2019 I suspect there might be an old firm coming up soonest? Humza out campaigning today, tomorrow he will take his usual seat in Sellik Park's north stand. He will not hear the singing, will not see the effigies hanging by their necks, and knows if anything awkward occurs, he can rely on the evidence being conveniently lost. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERRAB 3,253 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I wonder if there will be OBFA MK II. MK I got binned cos the ones that wanted it were the worst offenders 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,389 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,219 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 Tell Willie Vass to have a few pics of Humzah at the Scumhut ... and also that our staff should take note of any sectarian singing hurled at our manager et al ... and ask him to remove his players from the field and thus showthe watching TV audience (world-wide), who the actually offenders are. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,219 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 NB: anyone willing to send this Scottish justice secretary a copy of the Terrorism Act 2006? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 1,666 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, der Berliner said: NB: anyone willing to send this Scottish justice secretary a copy of the Terrorism Act 2006? Makes it a criminal offence to encourage terrorism by directly or indirectly inciting or encouraging others to commit acts of terrorism. This includes an offence of "glorification" of terror – people who "praise or celebrate" Grants the home secretary greater powers to ban groups that glorify terrorism. Edited March 30, 2019 by JFK-1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,389 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,219 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 1 hour ago, JFK-1 said: Makes it a criminal offence to encourage terrorism by directly or indirectly inciting or encouraging others to commit acts of terrorism. This includes an offence of "glorification" of terror – people who "praise or celebrate" Grants the home secretary greater powers to ban groups that glorify terrorism. Well, someone has to do it and as authorities and politics in Scotland a riddled with their hangers on, someone needs to take it to higher places. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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