Offensive Behaviour at Football Act will be fully removed from law at midnight

THE repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act has received Royal Assent.

It means that the controversial legislation will officially end at midnight.

Labour MSP James Kelly, who spearheaded the bid to repeal the law in the Scottish Parliament, tweeted: “Delighted that the Football Act repeal has received Royal Assent and that this unfair law comes to an end at midnight.

“A remarkable achievement by @FACKilltheBill & all who campaigned against this Act. It just shows what can be achieved with a well organised grass roots campaign.”

Delighted that the Football Act repeal has received Royal Assent and that this unfair law comes to an end at midnight. A remarkable achievement by @FACKilltheBill & all who campaigned against this Act. It just shows what can be achieved with a well organised grass roots campaign. pic.twitter.com/J3kpFhI11A

— James Kelly MSP (@JamesKellyLab) April 19, 2018

A spokesperson for Fans Against Criminalisation said: “Our deepest and heartfelt thanks to James Kelly MSP and his team and to every single person who supported the campaign and took action to defend yourself and your fellow fans.

“We hope this is a lesson to governments in the future not to underestimate the power and ingenuity of the football community. We did it!”

The law was introduced in 2012 by the Scottish Government in a bid to curb sectarianism, but drew criticism from all sides.

Last month, all opposition parties joined forces to defeat the SNP in the Scottish Parliament by 62 votes to 60 in favour of wiping it from the statute book.

Mr Kelly labelled it a “discredited legislation which has failed to make any progress in tackling sectarianism”.

Community Safety Minister Annabelle Ewing said the government’s defeat was “disappointing” and that it was “a sad day for Scotland”.