Sectarianism data ‘must be made public’
● Government accused of being ‘gagged’ ● Yousaf: ‘It’s not my data to publish’
The Scottish Government has been urged to “rip up” an agreement with football authorities and publish sectarianism data as MSPS raised questions about the fitness of the SPFL to run Scottish football.
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam Mcarthur yesterday accused the government of agreeing to be “gagged” by football authorities over data that would show the extent of sectarianism at Scottish football matches.
His accusation came after the discovery that a dossier of two years of statistics on sectarianism at football matches would not be made public.
Raising the issue with Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf in Holyrood yesterday, Mr Mcarthur said the reluctance of the Scottish Professional Football League to reveal the statistics called into question “just how seriously those who have the data are working to lift the curse affecting Scottish football”.
He went on to describe the SPFL’S attempts to tackle sectarianism as “pathetic”, adding: “If their response to sectarianism is dependent on secrecy and gagging orders, they don’t deserve to be running the game.”
But Mr Yousaf said that while he had urged the SPFL to publish the data, it was not “in his gift” to do so as the figures were not the property of the government. He said: “I strongly agree we need robust data to understand unacceptable conduct at football and take action as necessary to address it. The data is collated by the football authorities, not the Scottish Government,
and only provided on the basis, and I quote, ‘it was confidential and not published’. However, our clear and consistent preference has been for this data to be published.
“I have spoken to SPFL chief executive neil doncaster today to reiterate this again and will
follow up in writing.
Mr Yousaf added: “It’s only through open and honest discussion, based on robust evidence, that we can work with all of our partners to tackle the unacceptable conduct by a minority of spectators, which unfortunately continues to
shame our national game.” Mr Mcarthur said it was unacceptable that only ministers, police and football authorities had seen the data. He said: “Will the cabinet secretary rip up the confidentiality agreement and publish today, in full, the contents of the sectarianism database? It’s inconceivable that the government would sign up to an arrangement that’s effectively gagged it, by the SPFL.
“Serious conversations about options like strict liability are impossible if the figures are kept secret and it calls into question just how seriously those who have the data are working to lift the curse affecting Scottish football.
“I too would like to hear from Neil Doncaster because the SPFL response to date has been quite frankly pathetic. If their response to sectarianism is dependent on secrecy and gagging orders, they don’t deserve to be running the game.”
Mr Doncaster said: “I had a very positive and productive discussion with Humza Yousaf where he formally requested that a variety of information be made public. We will now discuss this as a board before deciding on the best way forward.”