SCRAPPING a controversial football law would be a "historic moment" for Scottish devolution, according to an MSP.

James Kelly, Labour MSP for Glasgow, made the comments as his Member's Bill proposing the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football was officially introduced to parliament.

A timetable for debating the proposals will now be set, and a vote expected before the end of 2017.

Mr Kelly put forward the bill to scrap the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act which came in to force in 2012.

So far it has received support from thousands of people, with more than 70 per cent of those consulted supporting the plans.

The MSP said there was 3,248 responses from all across Scotland and the UK, including from football clubs, supporters groups, campaigning organisations and members of the public.

He said 71.% of respondents were fully supportive of repealing the ‘Offensive Behaviour’ section of the law and in section two, regarding repealing the ‘Threatening Communications’ section, he said 62% were in support.

Currently the act criminalises offensive and threatening behaviour, including sectarian behaviour, related to football matches and any communications containing threats or incitement to religious hatred.

Despite an opposition to the bill, the SNP used its previous majority to pass it and now the Conservatives, Lib Dems, Labour and Greens all support its repeal.

Judges and football fans have also criticised the controversial law.

The Labour MSP said that repealing the legislation will send a signal that the days of the SNP treating parliament with contempt are at an end

Thje labour party has also accused the SNP of ignoring the view of the Scottish Parliament "on a number of occasions", but said the party will be unable to prevent the Act being repealed if a majority of MSPs back Mr Kelly's Member's Bill.

Mr Kelly said : “Repealing the SNP Football Act will be a historic and important moment for devolution.

“The law sums up how arrogant the SNP has become in government – and the contempt ministers have for parliament.

“Lawyers, academics, football fans and every opposition party opposed the law as it made its way through parliament. The SNP dismissed those concerns and simply used a parliamentary majority to bulldoze the Act through.

"And it has since ignored the views of the Scottish Parliament on this issue.

"Repealing the Act will show that the days of the SNP treating the Scottish Parliament and the views of the Scottish people with contempt are long over.”