By FOS Editor
June 17 2011

The Scottish Parliament today announced plans to rush through a bill to tackle sectarianism connected with football.

They are determined to get the bill rushed through before the start of the new season next month. The bill will upgrade offences from breach of the peace and rather than short prison sentences, anyone found guilty of sectarian behaviour at a game, in the pub or on the internet could get up to five years.

 One party happy to see the bill in place is the SFA whose Chief Executive Stewart Regan said today, “The Scottish FA welcomes the new Bill as tangible evidence of the success of the Joint Action Group. In particular, we are pleased to see that it covers sectarian and other forms of unacceptable chanting and threatening behaviour.

“As we approach the start of a new season, it is important we look forward with anticipation and excitement. Football is this country’s national sport and we all have a responsibility to ensure that entertainment replaces aggravation and that a family atmosphere is generated inside our grounds instead of a hostile one.

“As part of our new strategic plan, the Scottish FA has developed a Scotland United philosophy and it is our wish that everyone involved in the game in this country -  the league bodies, supporters, clubs and media - embraces that ethos.”

The first real test will be when we get to the first Old Firm game of the new season, or the first away game one of them goes to, and we hear the traditional songs. Will the police move in and deal with the troublemakers, only time will tell.