QUITE frequently, sadly, we read or hear of a major road accident where the police have found it necessary to close a stretch of road. Sometimes for a considerable amount of hours. Similarly, our freedom of movement can be unexpectedly interrupted by what is termed a “police incident’’. I have yet to hear of any outbreak of civil disorder arising as a consequence of the public having to cope with such passages in their life.

Vast has been the media coverage towards the current interest in, initially, sectarianism and then thuggery and hooliganism at some of our Scottish football matches. The input from the usual experts – politicians, legal voices, senior police officers, social engineers from our universities and many others – has been, well, predictably predictable.

The recent descents into outright attempts to injure match officials and players surely are transparent examples of “police incidents’’. Impossible to stop, apparently. So let’s try something small. First, take any responsibility away from the referee. His to implement the Laws of the Game. Not the law of the land.

As soon as an infraction of the law occurs that could endanger human life or limb, the police inform the stadium officials that the match has to stop for an agreed time (15 minutes?), allowing for the police to view immediately any footage of the incident and to place additional resources in the area of the “police incident’’. As would happen in any other walk of life.

The match is restarted. Further incident, identical procedure. Third incident, the match is abandoned in the interests of public safety.

We are constantly reminded that the vast majority of spectators are well behaved and that the hooliganism lies within a mindless minority. That being the case, the response to such immediate action should be as with my previously identified “police incidents’’. Compliance and support of the police as they undertake their duties.

Rod O’Donnell,

16 Middleton Drive, Milngavie.

THE recent spate of vile and criminal behaviour within Scottish football grounds is a matter of national shame and a blight on the national – if recent events are anything to go by, far from beautiful – game.

But let’s be clear, this is not misbehaviour, or misconduct, but criminality, pure and simple and carried out in plain sight. So-called"supporters", clubs, stewards, police and one suspects politicians, individually and collectively seemingly unwilling, or unable, to deal with the criminal behaviour by what is a clearly significant few willing, an apparent luke-warm determination to deal with a matter of increasing public concern, all talk, no action.

Pitch invasions by "fans", players confronted on the playing surface, bottles launched onto the field-of-play, plastic seats ripped from their mountings and hurled onto the pitch, mindless coin throwing, the unacceptable singing of vile sectarian songs, the displaying of equally abhorrent banners, repulsive verbal abuse of players and officials, football’s charge sheet is as long as it is unpleasant and it needs to stop, or be stopped.

These are criminal acts, which, were they to take place on the street, in the pub or any other public place, would result in arrest, charge and probable prosecution.

Scottish football, at least the professional game and especially (but not exclusively) matches where the Old Firm are involved has been drinking in the last chance saloon for too long now and its needs to be stopped by using sanctions through the full force of the laws, both of the sport and the criminal justice system, and if current statutes do not go far enough, then legislate, and fast.

As both Brexit and the fight against knife crime have shown, a binary, top-down, authoritative approach to complex and deep-rooted societal problems by politicians and police alone simply wont work, whilst it would be foolhardy to expect the game itself, given its multi-headed, self-replenishing hydra and a myriad of conflicts of interest, to muck out its own fetid stables.

But clubs and governing bodies – too many for the game’s own good leaving ample room for complex, problematic issues to fall through the cracks – must, as a start be forced to adopt strict liability for the actions of those they are responsible for on their premises.

Nightclubs and other entertainment establishments across the country can, do – and will continue to – have their licenses revoked if and when trouble consistently flares within or around their premises, hitting irresponsible operators where it hurts, in their pockets, so why not football, where matches could still be played behind closed doors to fulfil the fixture list?

Scottish professional football is being treated with kid gloves, like an errant, unruly teenager, rather than the hardened criminal – with ever-increasing form to prove it – it is, but surely the game, and the clubs are now deep in extra time, self regulation has been proved not to work. Hence, a national task force, politicians, law-enforcement, governing bodies, clubs, the SPFA, local authorities and anyone else with a contribution to make must be formed – and fast – before a player is seriously injured and the national reputation we hold so dear is further trashed beyond repair.

Mike Wilson,

3 Lochhill Farm Cottages, Longniddry, East Lothian.