Scotland has been ready for change on sectarianism for a long time, so why is the change not happening?
More than two years ago, the Scottish Government's advisory group on the issue made dozens of recommendations, covering local councils, football clubs, policing, education, churches and more, but the report was never debated in Holyrood and no action was taken.
Two years on, we appear to be in the same situation, with new reports and research on the subject but still no sign of a will to act from politicians or just as importantly from football clubs. Many of those surveyed for the new research by ScotCen Social Research believe sectarianism is still a serious issue in Scotland and the majority single out football as the main cause - 88 per cent of those asked mentioned football as a catalyst while 55 per cent thought it was the main factor.
The Scottish Government attempted to take action in this area with its Offensive Behaviour At Football And Threatening Communications Act, but we now know that this ill-conceived piece of legislation was not the answer. The act gave police and prosecutors extra powers to crack down on sectarian songs and abuse at football matches, but the police were confused by it, lawyers - and fans - had very little respect for it and its flaws have been proved by the fact there have been so few convictions. The act has proved that you cannot arrest your way out of sectarianism and the Labour leader Jim Murphy is right to call for its repeal.
So what can else be done? A review of the Offensive Act is certainly needed, but a reliable way forward will not be found without the co-operation of Scottish football and that has been lacking. In particular, some clubs have been clear in their opposition to the proposal that clubs should be punished when their fans misbehave, in the way that some European clubs have been after incidents of racism. The English FA has also adopted the strict liability rule as the standard for offensive behaviour in games south of the border.
Yesterday, the anti-sectarian group Nil By Mouth renewed its call for a similar change to be introduced in Scotland and, while many fans will be sympathetic to the view that clubs should not be punished for the actions of a few unruly fans, sectarian behaviour will not be reduced or eradicated at games unless there are real consequences for the clubs themselves. The Scottish football authorities could make the change tomorrow without the need for any further legislation; they should do so for the sake of the continuing struggle against sectarianism.
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