THE Offensive Behaviour at Football Act is hampering efforts to tackle sectarianism according to a Glasgow MSP who is planning a Bill to repeal the law (Evening Times, January 4).
How many successful prosecutions have there been since the introduction of this law?
Mr Kelly is correct that this law should be repealed, but we then have to tackle the underlying problem of grassroots sectarianism. Would the abolition of faith schools help? I don’t know, but since there is no problem like this south of the border, it must lie even deeper.
When a child looks up to his/her parents, they ask, “Why do you support Celtic/Rangers?”
The correct response should be along the lines of “my daddy supported them, and so did my grandad”, but unfortunately, the usual reply is along the lines of sectarianism. This is the mentality that has to be addressed.
Steven Rowan, posted online
The law should be improved
MR Kelly is an attention seeker who will jump on any bandwagon if he thinks that it will get him elected.
The Offensive Behaviour at Football Act was put in place because our clubs’ efforts were being so ineffective.
This law should be improved but to abolish it completely is a step too far. The law was designed to help deal with sectarianism in and around our football stadiums. It has still to achieve that aim.
Francis John, posted online
Scrap this piece of political PR
WHY is it an offence to sing a song
going to or from, or attending a
football match but, not at any other time?
This law is riddled with
inaccuracies and should be scraped.
You are either guilty of a crime all the time or not at all.
Are there windows of
opportunities when crimes are permitted?
That sums up, this hurried, not thought out piece of political PR. Scrap it!
Michael Reilly, posted online
Let’s ban cars from square
GLASGOW’S landmark George Square will be closed off to traffic if the council changes hands in local elections in 18 months’ time (Evening Times, January 2).
Look at the complete and utter disgraceful actions of the Labour administration on the previous project.
Let’s pedestrianise it and encourage people to use it instead of the choking car fumes that engulf the square.
John Davidson, posted online
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