NEIL Mackay is angry at the continuing blight of sectarianism on Scottish football and rightly so (“It is time to bring football to heel – as roughly as possible”, The Herald, February 26). However, his proposed draconian solutions to this deep-rooted problem smack of an emotional rather than a rational response to the relevant issues.
To label the majority of decent supporters of the Old Firm as somehow complicit in mindless sectarian bigotry is to miss the mark considerably.
READ MORE: Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke fears football will never be rid of sectarianism
As a season ticket holder at Parkhead for a number of years, I can think of only one occasion when anyone in my section of the ground could be accused of this type of unacceptable behaviour.
Several supporters immediately called on a steward to warn the individual who continued his Neanderthal tirade of abuse and was ejected from the stadium.
There is a vocal minority in the support of both Celtic and Rangers, as well as other Scottish teams, who continue to embarrass both the clubs, fellow supporters and humanity at large, but Neil MacKay’s suggestions of docking of points, use of legislation (because the Offensive Behaviour at Football act was such a triumph) and advocating strong-arm action by the Scottish Government are unworkable and out of proportion in the present climate.
I agree that Scottish football clubs must take on more responsibility for the mindless behaviour of some fans but this must incorporate a mixture of education of these people, a greater commitment to ground security through CCTV, along with lifetime bans from all team activities for those guilty of spreading prejudice and hatred.
Ultimately, whether Neil MacKay likes it or not, the continuation of sectarian bile amongst the minority of fans is still a reflection of Scottish society and we should be considering the recent appalling abuse of Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd and manager Steve Clarke in this context.
Separate schooling and the existence of antiquated groups such as the Orange Order and the Knights of St Columba only perpetuate the perceived religious divisions that still exist in Scotland. Societal problems with the sectarian divide cannot all be laid at the door of football and the majority of respectable, law- abiding supporters.
Owen Kelly,
8 Dunvegan Drive, Stirling.
WHEN I was a boy in the 1950s my father, a sea captain, was moved to Glasgow. I was moved from a small town English “prep” school to St Aloysius’ College in Glasgow, something of a culture shock. played rugby and my first game at my new school was against Hutchesons’ Grammar School. After the match, which we won, we were pelted with stones and lumps of coal by the losing team as we ran for the tram.
I asked one of my team mates if this was normal Scottish behaviour and was told no, it was because we were Catholics. This was something completely new to me. I had lived with friends for years from a wide variety of religious backgrounds without any problems. I eventually took up rowing, which was marginally safer and we got on well with most crews over the years, particularly those from Glasgow High School.
After a number of years, St Aloysius and Hutchesons’ formed a joint former pupils rugby club Hutchesons-Aloysians, which did reasonably well in the leagues. Perhaps pressure on private schools overcame religious differences and brought about solidarity.
It seems to me that the simplest way to curb sectarian/racist behaviour at football matches is for the referee to halt play at the first sign of significant offensive crowd behaviour and, if it persists, to stop the match, which can be replayed behind closed doors to maintain the fixture programme. The clubs and decent fans who would lose money and enjoyment would find ways to silence the pests. Sectarianism is not a product of separate schools; it is a product of parental and peer-group influence and this can only be changed by time, education and increasing intelligence.
At school and at home I was taught never to disrespect people because they were of a different religion, race or colour. We live in hope.
Michael Kent,
102 Bullwood Road, Dunoon.
SEVERAL and varied experiences are cited to eradicate sectarianism which continues to blight our society. (Letters, February 26). Sadly, many such incidents occur within stadia which require an operating licence from the local authority. It follows such licence would be jeopardised by the misconduct of spectators present.
At present, the SFA, clubs and the media have become engrossed with the role of the sport’s compliance officer with scant regard to the powers invested on the licensing committee involved.
It is better to determine a sanction in retrospect rather than endanger the safety of police, stewards and match officials by the stopping or even the abandoning a match.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue,
Giffnock.
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