All four opposition parties, as well as independent MP Margo McDonald issued the following statement:
“Members of all political parties are determined to wipe the blight of sectarianism from Scottish society. It is of real regret that the first piece of legislation passed by this new parliament has been railroaded through by the SNP. The SNP has used its majority to force through bad law that risks doing more harm than good. It sets a worrying precedent for this parliament.
The SNP has failed to make the case for the legislation both in parliament and out – with football fans, religious organisations, anti-sectarianism organisations, children’s charities, the Law Society, the Human
Rights Commission, the Scottish Justices Association all raising genuine concerns with the SNP legislation.
We believe a far more effective response is to focus on education and young people, working with the churches and football authorities on positive, practical, evidence-based measures that tackle the root causes of sectarianism as well robust application of existing laws.”
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The SNP have pushed through a flawed law that seems almost deliberately vague. It is one that seems doomed to failure, a law that people can break without even knowing that they’ve done so. And as the quote above highlights, ‘hatred’ at football is not where the problem begins. Sepp Blatter recently got himself into trouble when he foolishly claimed that racism was not a problem in football. The evidence suggests otherwise, but football is not the cause of that problem.
By placing the blame on football and football fans, Alex Salmond and the SNP have ignored the real problems in Scotland. This new law may lead to football fans being fined or jailed, but it will not eradicate all forms of hatred in Scottish society. Alex Salmond has picked the wrong target, and if this bill fails, he may find his position as leader of the country increasingly difficult to hold on to.
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If a list of songs are made “illegal” fans will subtley change the lyrics to confuse the police. Best that the brief is kept broad and the police are allowed to exercise their judgement. That is after all what they are paid for. In addition, it is the broad nature of the legislation that will action to be taken against songs relating to any stadium disasters or the death of ex players.
Confuse the police? I’m confused enough already. How about banning triumphalist religious marches rather that criminalise football fans. Salmond , we already know you are a fat chancer, the sad thing is, we aren’t shocked by your greasy opportunism any more.