THE BID to axe a controversial law aimed at curbing sectarian behaviour “defies logic” now the Old Firm games are a regular fixture, an SNP minister has claimed.
Labour is currently piloting a Bill through Holyrood which would repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.
But community safety minister Annabelle Ewing, has blasted the plan now that Rangers and Celtic play in the same league.
Celtic, football fans groups and sections of Scotland’s legal community have all come out in favour of repealing the Act.
But Miss Ewing backed Police Scotland fears the move would send the wrong message as senior cops fear it would pave the way for “regression to previous behaviour” for bigoted Scots.
The SNP minister said the Act was “a consequence of decades of ignoring and excusing this type of offensive behaviour at football”.
Legal chiefs brand controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act a waste of time
She added: “It is certainly true to say that most people associate football related sectarianism and other forms of abusive behaviour with Rangers FC and Celtic FC.
“For most of the time the Act has been in operation, these teams have not played in the same division and have rarely met in competition
“Since Rangers were promoted to the Scottish Premiership, the two teams have met on six occasions in league and cup fixtures.
“These fixtures saw reports of effigies being hung within a stadium; a young boy being hit by a glass bottle and having to go to hospital for treatment; large scale offensive singing and offensive banners; and racist gestures by supporters.
“It therefore seems very odd that as we move into a phase of increasingly regular ‘Old Firm’ matches, parliament is to consider a Bill for the Act to be repealed.
“Repealing a law at the point that it is most likely to be needed defies logic.”
Labour MSP James Kelly, whose private members’ Bill aims to repeal the controversial law, said: “This is a desperate attempt from the SNP government to defend a poorly drafted piece of legislation that has been branded mince by judges and has broken down trust between fans and the police.
“The reality is tackling sectarianism goes far beyond 90 minutes on a Saturday or 140 characters in a tweet. The Football Act was and remains an attempt by the SNP to posture about taking sectarianism seriously.
“The laws to tackle unacceptable behaviour at football matches already exists. the way to end sectarianism for good is through education in the classroom and community.”
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