Fans Protest Over New Sectarian Laws

**4me2** · 29th October 2011

Fans Protest Over New Sectarian Laws

Hundreds of football supporters are expected to gather in Glasgow for a demonstration against Government plans to clean up the Scottish game.

They claim all fans will be criminalised by the Scottish Government's "Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill".

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Maximum jail terms of five years could be imposed on anyone chanting songs at a football match that are sectarian or otherwise offensive.
Likewise, on anyone stirring up religious, racial or other forms of hatred.

The Bill also aims to stamp out internet abuse surrounding football and the same punishments would apply to anyone committing similar offences online.
But a growing number of fans complain the legislation is anti-football.
The demonstration has been organised by Fans Against Criminalisation (FAC), which has sprung up from the Celtic Supporters Association but has the backing of fans from other clubs, including Rangers.

Jeanette Findlay of FAC told Sky News: "We are extremely concerned about the legislation, as are supporters of other clubs and other organisations such as human rights groups.
"It's unnecessary because we already have legislation which will deal with bigoted behaviour.
"It's unworkable because it's so badly written that it's unclear, even yet, exactly what will be criminalised.
"It's attacking football fans. You could be criminalised as a football fan for singing a song, or wearing a T-shirt, that you could not be criminalised for if you sing the same song or wear the T-shirt to the cinema or opera."

The Bill was due to be in place before the start of this season but it was delayed amid criticism that it was being rushed.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon was a target of sectarianism earlier this year

There has also been criticism that all Scotland's clubs were being unfairly tarnished by sectarianism which is, principally, an Old Firm problem.
The legislation is now due to become law within the next few months.

Scotland's community safety minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "It's not targeted at all football fans, it's targeted at the very small minority who insist on behaving in ways which the vast majority of people in Scotland think is completely unacceptable.

"We conducted a survey and 91% of respondents said something has to be done about sectarianism in Scottish football. To say it's not a problem is to fly in the face of reality."
Critics who claim there are already sufficient laws to deal with sectarian behaviour point to the conviction earlier this month of 28-year-old Stephen Birrell.
He was jailed for eight months for posting sectarian comments, aimed at Celtic's manager, on a Facebook page entitled "Neil Lennon Should be Banned".