FOOTBALL supporters should be issued with definitive lists on what is permitted under the SNP Government's legislation to tackle sectarianism, an academic has claimed.
Edinburgh University professor Grant Jarvie said an official songbook was not a fanciful idea and would provide meaningful guidance to fans.
The Herald this week revealed that many lawyers fear supporters are being harassed, put under surveillance and having their rights eroded due to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.
Opposition politicians have also voiced concerns as the act reaches its first birthday. A £155,000 evaluation of the laws is to be carried out.
Yesterday, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill insisted the legislation was working well.
He said: "The charge and conviction rates for people arrested under this legislation show that it is working well.
"This legislation was introduced in response to Scotland's police and prosecutors, who told us they needed greater powers to take a hard line on sectarianism associated with football.
"We have made clear that bigotry and religious hatred have no place in modern Scotland and we will stamp out on it wherever and whenever it occurs.
"The overwhelming majority of football fans are law-abiding and want to enjoy the friendly rivalry that is part of any game without this being marred by the actions of a mindless minority."
He added: We are under no illusions – the problem of sectarianism isn't just a football issue. That is why we are spending £9 million in the next three years on a range of projects to tackle sectarianism across society."
The idea of a book of acceptable songs for fans to sing at matches has been raised by several figures including Rangers manager Ally McCoist.
Mr Jarvie, the chairman of sport at Edinburgh University, said: "Fans need guidance on what songs can and cannot be sung and the suggestion from the Rangers manager that an official songbook needs to be produced to provide meaningful guidance to fans is not as fanciful as it may sound at first."
His claims come as a group which has been the focus of much of the police attention on football issues claimed supporters were being targeted to "prop up statistics".
A spokesman for the Green Brigade, regularly accused of singing Irish Republican songs at games, said: "The police are eager to contend that they are cracking down on sectarianism but really what they are policing is perceived offensiveness.
"It is an outrageous waste of taxpayers' money and a grotesque attack on football fans and their right to free speech.
"Normal fans are now routinely harassed and intimidated as the police attempt to prop up their statistics in order to justify the SNP's ill-conceived legislation."
The Herald attempted to contact the Union Bears, a Rangers' supporters group that has also faced criticism, but was unsuccessful.
The Church of Scotland last night also raised concerns.
Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, said: "There is no magic bullet which will transform deep-rooted attitudes and behaviours overnight.
"The whole of Scotland needs to work together to tackle sectarianism.
"I welcome the review of this law. If rushed laws make bad laws the Government's role for reviewing their impact is crucial.
"There are a range of question marks over the law. The success of the review will be in how the Government responds."
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, QC, has said the legislation is being used well by police and prosecutors.
So far 89% of the cases reported to the Crown Office have been prosecuted, and the conviction rate stands at 83%.
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