Football ‘reluctant’ to wipe out sectarianism
Clubs should face strict liability for fans’ behaviour – inquiry
FOOTBALL authorities and clubs must face sanctions for failing to address sectarian behaviour if the problem is to be tackled, ministers have been told.
In its final report, the independent group tasked almost three years ago with exploring the issue said clubs were failing to address the problem and sanctions were “urgently needed”.
It pointed to a reluctance to “act against the remnants of sectarianism” within the game and voiced its support for the introduction of strict liability, where clubs could ultimately be deducted points or have parts of their ground closed in the event of sectarian behaviour by fans.
While accepting it is a muchwider social issue, the Independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism said no major effort to get to grips with the problem could succeed without fans, football’s authorities and clubs – especially Celtic and Rangers.
The advisory group releases its final report today, which includes a raft of recommendations to the government, councils, police, educational institutions, churches and parading organisations. It also calls for a better understanding of “polite, educated forms of sectarianism” within professional life, and a new perspective on Scotland’s history.
On football, it states: “We feel very strongly that sanctions are urgently needed and... 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 ac- tions, as we all have to do elsewhere in society.
“Sectarianism cannot be reduced to a simplistic football issue. But, it is important that all sectors of Scottish society play their part in tackling sectarianism and, in this context, football has huge relevance.
“Given the strong influence that football exerts on the lives of those who participate in it, the importance of this point cannot be overestimated.”
The advisory group, headed by Belfast-based academic Duncan Morrow, also wants more work to be done by parade organisers to reassure the general public about the nature of their events, as well as issues of safety, public order and “hangers-on”.
It claims sectarianism in Scotland tends to fuse politics, football club allegiance and national identity – with religion often far from t he most-prominent element.