LAWS to punish Scottish football clubs for public order issues and fan behaviour will be introduced if the sport and its governing body fail to get to grips with problems, ministers claim.

Justice secretary Michael Matheson called on the Scottish FA to tighten rules on fan misconduct, calling for "strict liability" rules to be introduced.

Strict liability is the standard used by European football's governing body UEFA for tackling offensive behaviour, with sanctions include fines, closure of section of grounds, playing matches behind closed doors and docking of league points.

The 42 SPFL clubs voted against the introduction of strict liability in a meeting with the SFA in 2013.

Mr Matheson told the governing body's AGM that if these measures are not brought in then new legislation could be introduced to tackle problems.

His comments come almost a fortnight after the already infamous scenes at Hampden Stadium, where thousands of Hibernian supporters flooded the pitch, sparking claims of assault against Rangers players and fist fights between rival fans.

Claiming ministers were "ready to work together constructively on this" he added that if confronted with reluctance by the sport "the Scottish Government is prepared to act if Scottish football isn't".

He said: "We need a transparent and robust scheme to prevent unacceptable conduct and deal with it effectively if it does occur, and encourage clubs to take all action possible to address unacceptable conduct.

"That may be strict liability or a form of strict liability or it may be something else, but the bottom line is we want to see football taking the opportunity to finally address this long-standing issue. All Scottish clubs competing in European competitions are already subject to strict liability, so it can and does work in Scotland and a form of it could be used in domestic football.

"I hope football can rise to this challenge and finally address this issue, and the Scottish Government is ready to work together constructively on this.

"I am encouraged by the initial response but let me be absolutely clear: the Scottish Government is prepared to act if Scottish football isn't.

"On that basis we will explore alternative options if no solution can be delivered by football.

"However, I genuinely hope that this is not needed and Scottish football takes control of its own destiny."

Senior figures within the administration of the game in Scotland recently told The Herald that the stance of the clubs on strict liability was "embarrassing", adding: "Those who don't really have a problem hide behind voting no to its introduction just in case they're caught out.

"They're going to be forced into a situation like the R&A where the weight of public opinion will force them into doing something."

The threats of legislation could be welcomed by the SFA, which is understood to have supporters of the scheme in its Hampden headquarters.

Mike Mulraney, a member of the SPFL board, described Mr Matheson's tone as robust, adding: "We were left in no doubt as to what his opinion is and that's fine. It's always good to listen to what people have got to say.

"[His opinion] was the same as what everyone in Scotland shares, that we've got to always look to what we can improve Scottish football and how we can improve the environment in which we watch our games."

But St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown criticised Mr Matheson's intervention, describing it as premature.

He told STV: "It's quite broad brush to criticise every club in the room, I think unfortunately there's only been three or four clubs that have got involved in unacceptable conduct.

"The vast majority of clubs, especially lower league clubs, have got an exemplary record and I think that was a wee bit out of order.

"Strict liability is so extensive. We were fined £15,000 in a European game because someone got into our stadium and flew a Palestinian flag, that's the extent of strict liability."