MILLIONS of pounds in public cash should be withheld from Scottish football until it signs up to sanctions against clubs for failing to address sectarian behaviour, campaigners claim.
As the independent group tasked with getting to grips with sectarianism in Scotland called for the introduction of "strict liability", which would see clubs held responsible for the behaviour of their fans, new data shows how much the sport receives from taxpayers.
Figures secured through Freedom of Information shows that in just three years the Scottish Government has poured in at least £6.5 million to football, the equivalent of over £42,000 per week.
Almost all the cash went to the sport's authorities for infrastructure, community engagement and supporter-related projects.
Anti-sectarianism charity Nil By Mouth, which has repeatedly called for Scottish football to introduce the "strict liability" policy, said the game could no longer receive taxpayers money "and run on the issue of sectarianism".
In its final report to ministers the expert group pointed to a reluctance to "act against the remnants of sectarianism" within the game and voiced its support for the introduction of strict liability, where clubs could ultimately be deducted points or have parts of their ground closed in the event of sectarian behaviour by fans. The most likely sanction would be fines.
One of the reasons given by clubs and the football authorities for not adopting "strict liability" was the financial impact it could have.
The report said: "We were told that one reason that strict liability was unworkable in Scotland was because certain stadia would be closed for months leading to severe financial hardship for particular clubs.
"However, that claim also makes the case for action. If elements within Scottish football make it so toxic that it cannot survive the introduction of strict liability, then we need to find ways to address these elements."
It is understood the Scottish Football Association is in favour of the plan and proposed it to member clubs two years ago but 72 voted against, with only five in favour and seven abstaining.
Nil by Mouth campaign director Dave Scott said: "These figures highlight that Scottish football benefits from millions of pounds of taxpayers money every year and the game cannot be allowed to take the cash and run on the issue of sectarianism.
"Despite repeated promises of action from clubs no semblance of a plan has emerged.
"With the Scottish Government's own advisory panel now recommending strict liability be implemented there can be no hiding place for the game when it comes to living up to its social and moral obligations and if it won't do this ministers must seriously consider if the continued investment of public funding into the game can be justified."
An SFA spokesman said: "Since 2013 we have been involved in a working party with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), who have jurisdiction for crowd behaviour in senior league football, to establish more robust regulations than currently exist in respect of unacceptable conduct.
"It is also a matter of record that many member clubs are currently engaged in anti-sectarian programmes and initiatives."
A spokesman for the SPFL said: "The SPFL and its clubs take the matter of sectarianism seriously while we all need to recognise this is an issue for society to face and address as a whole."
Rangers said it was "totally committed to eradicating all forms of inappropriate behaviour" and worked "tirelessly at tackling this problem".
Celtic did not comment.
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