Football act ‘in injury time’ as MSP lodges bill to scrap legislation

A bid to scrap a controversial law aimed at tackling sectarian behaviour at football has been officially lodged at the Scottish Parliament.

James Kelly has brought forward a Member's Bill to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

The Labour MSP said he is “confident that next season will be the final football season with this poor piece of legislation in place''.

The law came into force in 2012 after the SNP used its majority in the last Scottish Parliament to pass the Act despite a lack of support from other parties.

After losing its majority at the 2016 Holyrood election, the SNP suffered a symbolic defeat on the law when the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green MSPs united in November to back a motion calling for its repeal by 64 votes to 63.

Mr Kelly's public consultation on his Member's Bill found 71% of respondents support scrapping the Football Act.

Speaking ahead of formally launching the Bill at Cathkin Park in Glasgow, Mr Kelly said: “The SNP's Football Act is now approaching injury time.

“My bid to scrap the Act has now been formally introduced and I am hopeful we can see a vote on it this year.

“As it stands, I am confident that next season will be the final football season with this poor piece of legislation in place.

“SNP ministers were arrogant to bulldoze this law through Holyrood in the first instance.

“Every other party opposed it. Academics, lawyers, football clubs and football fans opposed it, yet the SNP wouldn't listen and used its majority in the Scottish Parliament to railroad the Football Act through.

“Having lost that majority, having seen the clear public support for repeal through the consultation process, and then having been sent a clear message by the Scottish electorate last week to get back to the day job, the SNP really needs to wake up to how unpopular this law is.'