Anti-sectarian bigotry is a malign force that must be curbed.
Anti-sectarian bigotry is a malign force that must be curbed.
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But a year on from the offensive behaviour at football legislation coming into force, the evidence suggests the law has resulted in the surveillance and harassment of football fans who have committed no offence.
We have consistently warned that the lack of clarity in the law risks criminalising fans for something closer to partisan enthusiasm than bigotry. But cases brought to The Herald's attention amount to a disturbing catalogue of draconian and unjust treatment of individuals. These include the detention in a young offenders' institution of a 17-year-old who was refused bail then released ahead of his hearing and a police objection to a fan seeking a taxi licence because he was the subject of an application for a Football Banning Order, although a year later no such application has been made.
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Tackling bigotry must be proportionate
Anti-sectarian bigotry is a malign force that must be curbed.
But a year on from the offensive behaviour at football legislation coming into force, the evidence suggests the law has resulted in the surveillance and harassment of football fans who have committed no offence.
We have consistently warned that the lack of clarity in the law risks criminalising fans for something closer to partisan enthusiasm than bigotry. But cases brought to The Herald's attention amount to a disturbing catalogue of draconian and unjust treatment of individuals. These include the detention in a young offenders' institution of a 17-year-old who was refused bail then released ahead of his hearing and a police objection to a fan seeking a taxi licence because he was the subject of an application for a Football Banning Order, although a year later no such application has been made.
Commenting & Moderation
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
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