A CONTROVERSIAL anti-hate law has helped reduce sectarianism at football matches, say supporters of the legislation.

Backers defended the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act and insisted scrapping it would be a mistake.

Glasgow Labour MSP James Kelly has tabled a Member’s Bill at the Scottish Parliament to try and have the legislation repealed.

It was introduced in 2012 by the SNP but has been criticised by opposition parties, who believe it does nothing to tackle the problem of sectarianism.

The law has been slated in courtrooms across the country, with one sheriff even referring to it as “mince”.

Glasgow Times:

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee has asked the public to give it their views. Questions asked by the committee include whether people agree with scrapping the law and whether it has been successful.

Supporters among 43 responses have included Victim Support Scotland, football fans and an anonymous police officer.

Victim Support Scotland said: “We believe repeal of S.6 would leave an unacceptable gap in Scottish legislative protection for victims of religious prejudice.

“Unlike England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, there is no alternative specific offence in Scots Law that criminalises threats made with the intention to incite religious hatred.”

Susan Forrest wrote: “The act has had an impact, and will continue to have an impact if not repealed, but there are other things that need to happen to tackle sectarianism, such as support from all sides of the political spectrum, from the SFA, particularly from Rangers and Celtic, from the Orange Order – using the excuse of “culture” is not good enough.”

Gordon Anthony said: “I have been a football fan all my life, and have regularly attended matches for more than 50 years now. Again, I am hugely aware of the significant improvements to safety standards and am delighted most grounds now have a more family friendly attitude.

“I confess I do not know enough about the various legal remedies available, so I cannot comment on whether there are sufficient alternative laws in place to allow the police to properly deal with offensive behaviour, but I am strongly against the repeal of any legislation that permits the police to deal with any sort of offensive behaviour.

“As a grandfather, I would dearly love to be able to take my grandson to a football match once he is old enough, and the last thing I want is to deny him that opportunity because of belligerent or sectarian behaviour by other fans.”

Stephen Jones wrote: “A very small number of vociferous football supporters groups are protesting about the act. As far as I can tell, these groups want to be able to sing sectarian and/or offensive songs at football matches. I do not agree that they should be able to do so, nor do I believe the vast majority of other football fans do either.

“There are undoubtedly other measure that could also be taken to stop this behaviour. In particular, Rangers and Celtic football clubs could do much more to stop sectarian and offensive political singing.”

Dr Stuart Waiton, a long-term critic of the legislation, insisted the law goes against the principal of free speech and unfairly targets football fans.

He wrote: “I am opposed to people being arrested for what they say. It is intolerant and illiberal to criminalise words. It is a further targeting of football fans based on snobbery.”