Football Ban Orders Take Effect

Scottish police forces will be able to use banning orders for the first time to target known football hooligans. The orders, which come into force at the weekend, will mean anyone convicted of football-related offences could be banned from matches for up to 10 years. Previously, clubs could stop fans going to their own ground and a sheriff could impose a ban covering their court area. Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said violence, chants, taunts and songs of hatred were “inexcusable”.

The new orders, used in England and Wales for six years, will cover games across the UK and abroad. Scottish police forces had pressed the Scottish Executive to change the law to help them deal with football violence. The provisions were contained in the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice Bill, published in October.

Anyone who fails to comply with the terms of the order can be fined up to £5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to six months.

Speaking at Hampden Stadium on Tuesday, Ms Jamieson said a growing number of people and organisations were calling for an end to sectarianism, racism and violence in Scotland. She said the abusive behaviour of a minority had been allowed to tarnish the reputation of Scotland’s national game and the country as a whole. “Football Banning Orders will help the police and the courts to deal out real and effective sanctions and make sure the majority can enjoy their football,” the minister said.

“I am passionate about football and those who sour the reputation of their clubs are a disgrace to us all. The police asked us for additional powers and we’ve provided them.”

Ms Jamieson said it would take longer than a season to eradicate bigotry and abuse, but real progress had been made to tackle the issue. “We need to respect our rivals and unite against the common enemies that would stain our game – bigotry, racism and sectarianism,” she added.

“The time has come to reclaim our sports grounds and show these hooligans a straight red.”

Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Smith, who leads on football issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said it was “firmly behind” the introduction of the banning orders.

He said: “I believe that it will be an important tool in the tool kit for dealing with football hooligans. Whether that is those who see themselves as part of an organised hooligan element, affiliated to a particular club or those individual who believes that he is a genuine fan but behaves in a violent, disorderly, racist or sectarian manner.”

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor said better facilities had contributed to a reduction in football violence in recent years.

But he said all possible steps should be taken to root out known troublemakers who used football as an excuse for their anti-social behaviour. “The SFA supports this important step and trusts that these new powers will be used, where appropriate, to deal not only with any violent behaviour but also with any instances of sectarian or racist behaviour, which has no place in our football grounds in Scotland,” he said.