Scottish Soccer Bigots Face Five Years In Jail

Tough new laws targeting racists, bigots and sectarianism at football matches could be in place in Scotland before the new season kicks off.

The Scottish Government has announced draft legislation that would create two offences relating to behaviour deemed to "incite religious, racial or other forms of hatred" in and around football grounds and on the internet.

Offenders could be jailed for five years and face life bans from football grounds.

The legislation comes after the game was dogged by a series of controversies last season including several attacks on Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

It also follows two men facing court after they sent parcel bombs to the Celtic boss and two high-profile supporters of the club in March.

The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill is being fast-tracked through parliament so the law is in place in time for the new football season on July 23.

But legal experts say pushing them through quickly means not enough scrutiny would be applied to the legislation.

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said racism, bigotry and sectarianism are not welcome in Scotland.

"It is totally unacceptable, and those who perpetuate this hatred will be punished through the full force of the law," she said.

"These new laws will send out a clear message that there is no place for bigots in a modern-day Scotland.

"From the start of the new season, anyone who peddles sectarian hatred in any football stadium in Scotland, on the way to or from a game, or hiding behind a computer screen could now face up to five years in jail."

Existing law sees people who disrupt football matches charged with breach of the peace, which carries a maximum one-year sentence.

The new Bill targets behaviour deemed to be threatening, abusive, disorderly or offensive. Online hate crime, such as abusive or offensive comments posted on Twitter, is also included and carries the same five-year maximum jail term.

The move has been welcomed by police, football clubs, the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football Association.

But Bill McVicar, convener of the Law Society of Scotland's criminal law committee, accused the government of rushing in to the new laws, saying adequate time needs to be given to ensure the legislation on such a "serious issue" is properly scrutinised.

Deputy convener of Holyrood's Justice Committee, Labour's James Kelly, said: "We will work constructively with the Government to ensure tough new laws can be put in place as quickly as possible."