Government Coming After Clubs For Sectarianism ?

[Guardian 4,281]

It looks like the Scottish Naziionalist Party are now looking to target clubs for any sectarian infringements and you can guess which sides will be hammered and which sides will be ignored. They are comparing it to the UEFA setup and we all know where they get their info.

The Scottish football authorities should come up with tougher ways of dealing with sectarianism, according to a government-commissioned study.

The recommendation was one of a series made by the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism.

Scottish clubs do not currently operate a policy of "strict liability", which would see them held responsible for the behaviour of their fans.

The report challenged clubs to come up with an alternative.

And it said sanctisons were "urgently needed" The final report follows a two year study by the advisory group, which saw it gather evidence, research and opinions from across wide sections of Scottish societyty.

The advisory group has now made a number of recommendations for churches, schools, football clubs, media and government bodies.

But it highlighted football in particular as an area where action to tackle the issue was urgently required.

Fans misbehaviour

The report said: "It is clear that a strategic and measured response to Scotland's remnants of sectarian attitudes and behaviour cannot succeed without squarely addressing the sectarian problems within and around football."

The group said it was "struck by the reticence about leadership in addressing sectarianism from within Scottish football".

It said that during meetings with both the football authorities and Celtic and Rangers Football Clubs, it was suggested the system of "strict liability" for fans misbehaviour - which has been in place for a number of years in UEFA competitions - would "be difficult, if not impossible, to introduce in Scotland".

However, the group said: "We feel very strongly that sanctions are urgently needed and remain of the view that their introduction would not simply be a step towards tackling sectarianism, but also an important step towards clubs and their fans taking responsibility for their actions as we all have to do elsewhere in society."

One of the reasons given by clubs and the football authorities for not adopting "strict liability" was the financial impact it could have.

The report said: "We were told that one reason that strict liability was unworkable in Scotland was because certain stadia would be closed for months leading to severe financial hardship for particular clubs.

"However, that claim also makes the case for action. If elements within Scottish football make it so toxic that it cannot survive the introduction of strict liability, then we need to find ways to address these elements."

We have also seen a strong hunger for change across Scotland and a real desire to make sectarianism a thing of the past. Dr Duncan Morrow, Chairman, Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism

The report said the issue of marches and parades "remains contentious."

It said: "The ultimate responsibility for such events, the behaviour associated with them and those who turn up to spectate lies with those organising the event."

The group said more should be done by march organisers to reassure the general public about the nature of the parades, and issues of public safety and public order.

It also said those who organise the events should take more responsibility for the behaviour of so-called "hangers-on".

The report also urged the media to play a role in tackling sectarianism by not "sensationalising" or "stoking the flames of sectarianism" through headlines.

It cited the example of the Celtic v Rangers league cup semi-final in February.

'Stamp out'

Chairman of the advisory group, Dr Duncan Morrow said: "Our work over the last two years has explored how sectarianism continues to manifest itself in Scotland today and how it still has the power to impact negatively on people's lives.

"But we have also seen a strong hunger for change across Scotland and a real desire to make sectarianism a thing of the past.

"I believe that this desire amounts to a real commitment from Scotland's communities and a challenge for leaders and institutions to set out a clear and inclusive vision that rejects avoidance and blame."

The group's report was presented to Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs Paul Wheelhouse

The Scottish government welcomed the recommendations made by the advisory group.

Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Paul Wheelhouse, said: "This Scottish government will continue to do all it can to create a Scotland free from the scourge of sectarianism through a range of approaches.

"As a result of the work undertaken by the independent advisory group and our many community based projects we now understand the nature and extent of sectarianism better than ever before."

He added: "The report published today makes it clear that the approach we are taking is the right one.

"It also confirms that each and every person in Scotland has a part to play in tackling sectarianism and I would urge everyone in Scotland to consider how they can help stamp out this issue."

'Simple choice'

Anti-sectarianism charity Nil By Mouth, which has repeatedly called for Scottish football to introduce the "strict liability" policy, welcomed the group's recommendations.

Campaign director Dave Scott said: "Football in particular has to face up to the reality of its responsibilities.

"We are pleased that the advisory group has recognised the importance of 'strict liability' being introduced into the Scottish game."

He added: "The SFA AGM is to be held next month and we still have time to introduce strict liability for next season if the clubs have the will and courage to act.

"The choice for the game is simple: remain part of the problem or be part of the solution."

[bouncy 315]

just noise....our songs are not illegal

[Ardrossan Dave 75]

"The ultimate responsibility for such events, the behaviour associated with them and those who turn up to spectate lies with those organising the event."

Perhaps then we can rest assured that the threatening conduct and anti English bile at SNP rallies are laid at the door of wee Nikky?

[weshallnotbemoved! 714]

Nil By Mouth is a front for tarrier - driven agendas. That sounds a bit X-Files, but that really is what it is.

They can dress it up whatever way that they want but they really just want to attack Protestant values. Help a few black or Asian people to muddy the waters a bit, but really its us that they want.

They can fuck right off if they think that we will take it. There is still a strong and sizeable part of the population that doesn't think that being Protestant is being sectarian and who will march against the criminlisation of it.

The SNP needs to take a long hard look at itself and stop preoccupying itself with the English ( who dont really give a fuck by the way), and try and eradicate the real problems of Scotland, like junkies, lack of work opportunity etc etc etc.

[Gaffbear 4,106]

Should read.

Government to target Rangers and leave the rest alone for sectarianism.

[Bluenose1986 703]

They'll not be happy till we're all sat on our hands in utter silence only to clap gently when we score.

Football in this country has absolutely no chance of recovering in this country.

[Bluenose1986 703]

They'll not be happy till we're all sat on our hands in utter silence only to clap gently when we score.

Football in this country has absolutely no chance of recovering if we're going to be treated like criminals.

Bad enough that the product on offer is sub-par with no investment to improve it. Half the time the atmosphere was the appeal. Now that's being strangled to death as well.

[weshallnotbemoved! 714]

They'll not be happy till we're all sat on our hands in utter silence only to clap gently when we score.

Football in this country has absolutely no chance of recovering if we're going to be treated like criminals.

Bad enough that the product on offer is sub-par with no investment to improve it. Half the time the atmosphere was the appeal. Now that's being strangled to death as well.

Yes.

They may also use cornea recognition technology that can recognise Proddy intent or if you are about to sing the Sash.

[B1872 21,199]

"but we urny sectariun we ur pyuoor politikal, so we cun say ra hunz ur deid un dat un up da ra" you heard them cry!

[Corky True Legend 2,682]

So what about Brendan O'Hara?

[WATBB 1,524]

What about Brendan O'hara?

[geronimoo 1,491]

Stop the apartheid schooling system would be the best place for them to start.

[thehost 11,061]

calling yourself a government doesn't make you one

a big council filled with thick cunts

[ps95v7 387]

What about the Rascism that exists within the SNP and the "who is not for us" abuse and threaten them to defeat

[Thewhitesettler 2,712]

Oh yeah, let's pass the buck onto the football clubs, after all it's all their fault.

No it fucking isn't! If they seriously, want to get rid of sectarianism in society, they should stop funding faith based schools. If parents want their kids brought up in a catholic school, they should be made to pay for it, not funded by the taxpayer.

Integrating all kids into one,non religious school would be a good starting point. Maybe then we would have less sectarianism in society, as we would know more about each other, and reduce the fear factor of the unknown that RC schools appear to want to instill in their children.

No more faith led schools, unless the RC church, or Muslim mosque, Church of Scotland, pays for it. Stop brain washing them, teaching them to play the victim, and learning them the art of Deflect and Deny.

[sassaaaa 11,406]

This is aimed at one team only , for some reason they are trying to look unbiased with this story , they are fooling no one.

[Ace 3,556]

Sectarianism isn't big & it isn't clever .. it also isn't the huge issue that it's made out to be.

[blueballss 2,975]

blah blah blah pandering to the unwashed

[Copland bear 7,966]

They could start by shutting up the pubs on the gallowgate and the Brazen head, Oh I forgot their Irish pubs,

It strange that in our own country our religion is being attacked.

What have the snp said to the Catholic Church over the sex abuse scandals?

What have they said about the lack of convictions and the cover up by the church?

Nothing, the bury their head as they will never take the Catholic Church on.

Fuck them and we should bring back the billy boys. With the lyric up to our Knees in Nationalist scum

That would be a big fuck off to them, this country is too PC and is a fucking joke.

[GMac 1,405]

Sectarianism isn't big & it isn't clever .. it also isn't the huge issue that it's made out to be.

Correct. Less than 700 sectarian crimes last time I looked.Most were for breach of the peace. Only around 20 involved violence. There were over 4500 racist crimes however, something the SNP don't like to talk about.

[RFC Eagle 4,888]

Someone needs to get hold of Stuart Waiton to counter this nonsense. This committee will always find a problem to justify its existence. Jobs for the bhoys again.

[Ace 3,556]

Correct. Less than 700 sectarian crimes last time I looked.Most were for breach of the peace. Only around 20 involved violence. There were over 4500 racist crimes however, something the SNP don't like to talk about.

Absolutely spot on

[Redwhiteandblue 3,330]

Sectarianism doesn't exist in Scotland.

Imagine an Iraqi living here? Cunt would be shocked.

[Tontospal 1,116]

Yet another publicly funded report that ignores the elephant in the room of state sponsored separation of children at 4/5 years old on the grounds of religion.

Education of children seems to be the only element of society where religious separation is deemed acceptable and legal.

It just doesn't square with laws affecting further and higher education or employment which are aimed at being all inclusive and non discriminatory.

Incredible that Salmond boycotted the Open at Muirfield because of its stance on women members yet not a peep about the schools.

The Catholic church in Scotland does not have attendances or membership to justify faith schools, or more importantly, any tangible societal discrimination to keep their 'followers' apart from the rest of the population.

The public sector is still desperately looking at ways to make savings and not one MP or MSP has had the balls to question why in Scotland in 2015 we need shared campuses for children or more importantly commisioned a study of the financial position of the current situation against all schools being non denominational.

I wonder what the response would be if the Church of Scotland announced an initiative to start publicly funded schools.

[THE_Ibrox_Preacher 2,812]

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