Sectarianism not just west coast problem

Sickening vandalism of a community football pitch in Fife seems proof, were it needed, that the scourge of sectarianism is not just a west of Scotland problem. The memorial to tragic Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson appears to have been targeted by bigots who have poured red and blue paint on the pitch and hoarding.

It is not the first time. The nearby grave of the player, who died in an Old Firm game in 1931, was desecrated with blue paint in 2011.

It is an appalling thing to happen and all the more senseless — if it was a religious attack — because Thomson was a Protestant who represented the whole country when he played for the Scottish national team.

He was revered by his club’s fans and the community in which he grew up. His funeral was attended by 30,000 people.

The recent repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act which was designed, albeit poorly, to tackle hate crime around the game, reignited the debate about its links to racial intolerance and crime.

Much of the comment centred on the regional differences in attitude between east and west coasts.

While it is clearly more prevalent in and around Glasgow, there are pockets of ancient hatred everywhere in the country which need to be rooted out.

Tracking down those who have targeted a much-needed community asset created in memory of a beloved son of Fife is an ideal place to start.