Shamrock hand and crown
Well-Known Member
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4406214/humza-yousaf-urge-footie-bosses-sectarian-bigots/
HUMZA Yousaf last night pleaded with footie bosses to sign up to new curbs on bigot fans within weeks.
The Justice Secretary hinted he’ll push for ground-closure laws if club chiefs don’t act. He said: “Some aren’t taking it as seriously as they should.”
6
The Justice Secretary wants clubs to sign up to new curbs on bigotsCredit: Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow
He yesterday savaged the men at the top of Scottish football — saying it’s women who are leading the way both on and off the pitch.
The 34-year-old hailed the firm stance taken against an upsurge in hooliganism and bigotry in stadiums by Hearts owner Ann Budge and Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster.
SPFL and SNP Government in secrecy row over footie sectarianism dossier
And he paid tribute to Shelley Kerr’s national team who outshone their male counterparts by qualifying for the World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with The Scottish Sun, Mr Yousaf told how action was needed after a spate of thuggery and sectarian incidents at matches last season.
He said: “I have to praise the leadership of the likes of Leeann Dempster and Ann Budge at Hibs and Hearts who have led the way in terms of showing very, very robust action.
6
Yousaf was full of praise for Hearts chief Anne BudgeCredit: Roddy Scott - The Sun Glasgow
“Frankly, the women in the game, both on and off the pitch, are very much showing up the men in the game.”
Ms Budge shut a section of Tynecastle after yobs threw flares, coins, drinks and a coconut on to the pitch during April’s Edinburgh derby against Hibs.
And Ms Dempster hasn’t ruled out the “drastic measure” following trouble at Easter Road last season, including during games against Celtic and Rangers.
6
Hibs chief Leann Dempster has not ruled out drastic measures to tackle the issueCredit: Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow
But SPFL supremo Neil Doncaster has slammed the suggestion that clubs should have “strict liability” for the behaviour of their fans.
That could see them facing sanctions such as loss of points, fines, stands being shut or games played behind closed doors.
Mr Yousaf revealed he’s losing patience with footie bosses as he waits for them to address the issue before the new league season starts on August 3.
And that could see him giving tough new licensing powers to councils to enforce the closure of stands or grounds if clubs can’t control spectators.
The SNP minister said: “There’s just not been enough measures taken by the clubs and the football authorities.
“But what I have been heartened by in the meetings I’ve had with clubs, players’ union, refs, supporters’ associations and footballing authorities is that there is a coalition of the willing that are determined to take some action to drive this out of our game.
“There are disagreements on exactly what that action should be. There’s a range of options. But there’s a seriousness I’ve detected that people want to take action.”
Quizzed on who was resisting, and what the attitudes of the SFA and SPFL were, Mr Yousaf said: “I’m not going to go into it. I have these conversations with them very directly, very frankly, and there is some resistance.
“And there are people who are not taking it as seriously as they should. But I think we’re at a very pivotal tipping point. I’ve been having conversations for many months now.
“Before the start of next season I hope to have built a coalition that’ll say, ‘Yes, we’re determined to take more robust action than before’.”
Asked if licensing could be brought in, Mr Yousaf said: “It’s one of the options I’ve floated which has a lot of interest. Certainly licensing could have a huge impact.”
But he refused to say what assurances he wanted from club and league bosses ahead of the new season, adding that talks were ongoing.
Last term’s spate of shameful incidents included Hearts keeper Zdenek Zlamal being punched, Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd and then Hibs boss Neil Lennon being struck with coins and Rangers captain James Tavernier being attacked by a fan.
Several games were blighted by flares being launched on to the pitch while the then Kilmarnock gaffer Steve Clarke and Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes were targets of sectarian chants during matches against the Old Firm.
6
New Scotland boss Steve Clarke was a target of chantsCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
Commenting on the bigotry problem in March, Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said cops were “concerned, particularly over the last 12 months, that there has been a rise in both disorder and that type of offensive behaviour”.
The SPFL has let ministers see stats on misbehaviour reported by match officials — but only on condition they were kept confidential.
Mr Yousaf said the league’s bosses “shouldn’t have made that demand”, adding: “It should have been public and transparent.
“In fairness to Neil Doncaster, I’ve spoken to him on this and he has shown a willingness to be constructive and take it to the next board meeting. I hope they shift their position.”
When asked what was behind the upsurge in footie bother, Mr Yousaf blamed opposition MSPs who voted in April 2018 to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act — and blasted Labour’s James Kelly, who fronted the campaign to axe the law.
He said: “Among those observing football, many say last season was worse than they can remember for many seasons.
6
The Justice Secretary blasted James Kelly's campaign to axe the lawCredit: Corbis - Getty
“I think it would be foolish of people not to recognise there’s been a signal sent out to some quarters over the Act’s repeal — a very clear signal.
“Only an ignorant individual would be able to argue otherwise. We warned of that.
"I’m not saying I’ve got reams of research but organisations that deal with sectarianism warned of the signal it would send to those who take part in that kind of behaviour that they are now empowered to do so.”
Mr Yousaf continued: “I think the opposition, and James Kelly in particular, should really be taking a long, hard look at himself and wondering whether his actions sent a signal to some.
“You have someone there who is the poster boy for the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. He has been conspicuously silent in the last few months on the sectarian issue.
“He promised a detailed action plan on how to tackle it. He has come up with nada. Zip. Nothing.
“I think he should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.”
Before its repeal, the Football Act was slammed by a sheriff as “mince” and “horribly drafted”.
There were concerns it gave cops powers to arrest fans if they reckoned an imaginary person might be offended by a chant, song or banner.
HUMZA Yousaf last night pleaded with footie bosses to sign up to new curbs on bigot fans within weeks.
The Justice Secretary hinted he’ll push for ground-closure laws if club chiefs don’t act. He said: “Some aren’t taking it as seriously as they should.”
6
The Justice Secretary wants clubs to sign up to new curbs on bigotsCredit: Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow
He yesterday savaged the men at the top of Scottish football — saying it’s women who are leading the way both on and off the pitch.
The 34-year-old hailed the firm stance taken against an upsurge in hooliganism and bigotry in stadiums by Hearts owner Ann Budge and Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster.
SPFL and SNP Government in secrecy row over footie sectarianism dossier
And he paid tribute to Shelley Kerr’s national team who outshone their male counterparts by qualifying for the World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with The Scottish Sun, Mr Yousaf told how action was needed after a spate of thuggery and sectarian incidents at matches last season.
He said: “I have to praise the leadership of the likes of Leeann Dempster and Ann Budge at Hibs and Hearts who have led the way in terms of showing very, very robust action.
6
Yousaf was full of praise for Hearts chief Anne BudgeCredit: Roddy Scott - The Sun Glasgow
“Frankly, the women in the game, both on and off the pitch, are very much showing up the men in the game.”
Ms Budge shut a section of Tynecastle after yobs threw flares, coins, drinks and a coconut on to the pitch during April’s Edinburgh derby against Hibs.
And Ms Dempster hasn’t ruled out the “drastic measure” following trouble at Easter Road last season, including during games against Celtic and Rangers.
6
Hibs chief Leann Dempster has not ruled out drastic measures to tackle the issueCredit: Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow
But SPFL supremo Neil Doncaster has slammed the suggestion that clubs should have “strict liability” for the behaviour of their fans.
That could see them facing sanctions such as loss of points, fines, stands being shut or games played behind closed doors.
Mr Yousaf revealed he’s losing patience with footie bosses as he waits for them to address the issue before the new league season starts on August 3.
And that could see him giving tough new licensing powers to councils to enforce the closure of stands or grounds if clubs can’t control spectators.
The SNP minister said: “There’s just not been enough measures taken by the clubs and the football authorities.
“But what I have been heartened by in the meetings I’ve had with clubs, players’ union, refs, supporters’ associations and footballing authorities is that there is a coalition of the willing that are determined to take some action to drive this out of our game.
“There are disagreements on exactly what that action should be. There’s a range of options. But there’s a seriousness I’ve detected that people want to take action.”
Quizzed on who was resisting, and what the attitudes of the SFA and SPFL were, Mr Yousaf said: “I’m not going to go into it. I have these conversations with them very directly, very frankly, and there is some resistance.
“And there are people who are not taking it as seriously as they should. But I think we’re at a very pivotal tipping point. I’ve been having conversations for many months now.
“Before the start of next season I hope to have built a coalition that’ll say, ‘Yes, we’re determined to take more robust action than before’.”
Asked if licensing could be brought in, Mr Yousaf said: “It’s one of the options I’ve floated which has a lot of interest. Certainly licensing could have a huge impact.”
But he refused to say what assurances he wanted from club and league bosses ahead of the new season, adding that talks were ongoing.
Last term’s spate of shameful incidents included Hearts keeper Zdenek Zlamal being punched, Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd and then Hibs boss Neil Lennon being struck with coins and Rangers captain James Tavernier being attacked by a fan.
Several games were blighted by flares being launched on to the pitch while the then Kilmarnock gaffer Steve Clarke and Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes were targets of sectarian chants during matches against the Old Firm.
6
New Scotland boss Steve Clarke was a target of chantsCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
Commenting on the bigotry problem in March, Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said cops were “concerned, particularly over the last 12 months, that there has been a rise in both disorder and that type of offensive behaviour”.
The SPFL has let ministers see stats on misbehaviour reported by match officials — but only on condition they were kept confidential.
Mr Yousaf said the league’s bosses “shouldn’t have made that demand”, adding: “It should have been public and transparent.
“In fairness to Neil Doncaster, I’ve spoken to him on this and he has shown a willingness to be constructive and take it to the next board meeting. I hope they shift their position.”
When asked what was behind the upsurge in footie bother, Mr Yousaf blamed opposition MSPs who voted in April 2018 to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act — and blasted Labour’s James Kelly, who fronted the campaign to axe the law.
He said: “Among those observing football, many say last season was worse than they can remember for many seasons.
6
The Justice Secretary blasted James Kelly's campaign to axe the lawCredit: Corbis - Getty
“I think it would be foolish of people not to recognise there’s been a signal sent out to some quarters over the Act’s repeal — a very clear signal.
“Only an ignorant individual would be able to argue otherwise. We warned of that.
"I’m not saying I’ve got reams of research but organisations that deal with sectarianism warned of the signal it would send to those who take part in that kind of behaviour that they are now empowered to do so.”
Mr Yousaf continued: “I think the opposition, and James Kelly in particular, should really be taking a long, hard look at himself and wondering whether his actions sent a signal to some.
“You have someone there who is the poster boy for the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. He has been conspicuously silent in the last few months on the sectarian issue.
“He promised a detailed action plan on how to tackle it. He has come up with nada. Zip. Nothing.
“I think he should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.”
Before its repeal, the Football Act was slammed by a sheriff as “mince” and “horribly drafted”.
There were concerns it gave cops powers to arrest fans if they reckoned an imaginary person might be offended by a chant, song or banner.
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