Scottish Catholic Observer

The most effective way to tackle sectarianism in Scotland would be to scrap the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, a campaigning Labour MSP has said.

James Kelly (right), who is currently preparing his final proposal for a private Members’ Bill to repeal the controversial Act, has called for greater efforts to bring together churches and schools.

The Scottish Labour Party requires 18 MSP’s from at least three parties for the private member’s bill to be introduced and have a chance of becoming a reality.

The Conservatives, Greens and Lib Dems are also in favour of scrapping the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act (OBFA ) and if they chose to back Mr Kelly’s bid the SNP could be outvoted in Holyrood.

The current legislation prohibits behaviour that could incite public disorder or discriminates against a racial group, as well as ‘other behaviour that a reasonable person would be likely to consider offensive.’

The results from the recent public consultation show that 71 per cent of respondents said they would like to see the current legislation scrapped.

“It shows just how much interest is in pushing the private members’ bill forward, particularly amongst football supporters,” Mr Kelly told the SCO.

The Glasgow MSP believes there is a more effective way to tackle sectarianism than the OBFA. “Another way to tackle the issue is making sure this piece of bad legislation is scrapped,” he said. “It unfairly criminalises young football fans. If we repeal the act, that’s a step forward which I think will have a positive impact on tackling sectarianism.”

He also said he wanted greater efforts to bring ‘together groups such as schools and churches that are already deeply embedded in the community.’

“That means they can reach out and speak to people about it,” he said. “Having proper discussions with groups that are interested in sectarianism in this country.”

Mr Kelly also believes that if the legislation is successfully repealed there will be an opportunity to improve behaviour at football matches. “If the act is repealed we need to look at a different approach with tackling bad behaviour at football,” he said. “If you look to countries like Sweden, they have a model were the club and supporters meet and work together to build a collaborative approach to promote the football and good behaviour. This approach also promotes good behaviour and good relations between club supporters and the police.”

“At the moment there is not a good relationship between football fans and the police because of a particular police unit monitoring fans going to the game and filming them during the game,” he went on. “The scale and intensity of the police presence at football matches just now is uncalled for.”

Last month, MSPs voted by 64 to 63 in favour of a Tory motion calling for the repeal of the controversial law in a symbolic defeat for the Scottish Government.

“It is clear now there is a majority in parliament in favour of scrapping the act,” Mr Kelly concluded. “Even if you listen to the SNP speaking about it, they acknowledge there is issues with it and this will equally give them the opportunity to come forward to repeal the act and try and build a consensus with people about tackling sectarianism. I do genuinely believe the SNP want to tackle the issue of sectarianism, so this is their opportunity to stand up and address it properly.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said that sectarianism ‘tarnishes our national game.’

“Calls to scrap the act, which has strong public support, are sending entirely the wrong signal when it comes to eradicating sectarianism and other offensive behaviour,” he said. “The Scottish Government has been actively tackling sectarianism in Scotland’s communities over a number of years.”

—This story ran in full in the December 16 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.

PHOTO: West Midlands Police/Flickr.com