Scottish Catholic Observer

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness were speaking as the Scottish Cabinet met on Tuesday to discuss legislation designed to fight ‘Scotland’s shame.’ Both men condemned the recent bigotry seen at Celtic and Rangers football ties.

First Minister Alex Salmond’s new anti-sectarian legislation could be in place for the beginning of the new football season after the proposals received the support of the Scottish cabinet last week.

Under the Offensive Behaviour in Football and Threatening Communications Bill, football supporters who cause sectarian disruption at matches or online could be jailed for up to five years.

“The one thing that won’t work is ignoring it,” Mr Robinson said of sectarianism after this week’s tripartite meeting in Edinburgh of the heads of government of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

“People need to be speaking out, they need to be identifying themselves very clearly with the fact that the worth of anybody on the pitch has nothing to do with their political or religious views.”

Mr McGuinness added: “It is not an issue that can be ignored.”

Mr Salmond said there were lessons to be learned from Northern Ireland and reaffirmed his determination to see sectarianism ‘consigned to the dustbin of history.’

After last week’s Scottish cabinet meeting, a spokesman for Mr Salmond said: “By the beginning of the next football season, everybody will know the score. There will be no shadow or scintilla of doubt as to what is acceptable and what isn’t acceptable.”

The plans, which will be discussed with all political parties, were brought forward last Wednesday by the new Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland, and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who said there is ‘no place for sectarianism in any area of Scottish society.’

Peter Kearney of the Catholic Media Office has highlighted the need for measures aimed at tackling sectarianism to target anti-Catholic bigotry.

The bill is expected to be presented to parliament by the middle of June and completed by the end of the month.