What to do about the Old Firm?
Why did the 2012 laws fail, despite considerable public support including amongst Old Firm fans, who surprisingly also supported the legislation?
Polls by Panelbase and YouGov consistently suggests of Scottish voters support the Act and its provisions. In May 2015, 60% of all respondents said they supported the Act – including 59% of self-identified "Rangers fans" and 64% of self-identified "Celtic fans" – with only 14% wanting it to be abolished. Both polls were criticized by Fans Against Criminalisation.
The answer is that the wording of the act was so wooly that it became unclear what was meant. Lawyers and biased judges had a field day playing around with the poorly written definitions based round wording like “offensive”. Man Old Derrys walls has no violence in it's context, but the Billy Boys does. Where though does the Soldier song sit? Does the word soldier, a warrior, one who acts in war count. In specific the Irish Civil war? The answer make the definition clearer and simpler.
Secondly the clubs rather than the fans should be fined, the Old Firm after all have profited for more than a century on hatred, violence and murder. The fans can be taken care of by current legislation Breach of the peace, assault and so on.
Perhaps the legislation should look more like?
The government could consider changing current legislation on the level of fines which could be levied to doubling increments of fines starting at perhaps £15,625 up to £500,000 are imposed on Senior Football clubs for any sectarian violence of any sort. Or sectarian based chanting, singing or display of iconography related to Ulster Sectarian politics in or near a football ground in Scotland, by people identifiable as their fans. Including those travelling to a match.
[The levels of fines should really hurt, the levels of fines imposed by EUFA proving largely infective].
The government could consider that this to be enforced by a specially formed unit of the Police, selected from officers who demonstrate they can be trusted to act with regard to dealing with the identified sectarian groups without bias towards them.
The government could consider banning clubs from TV coverage following being fined for incidents ranging from 1 month to 6 depending on the severity. If incidents continue to occur at the Old Firm in particular then an indefinite ban. Easily enforceable just send in a few cops to make sure there are no cameras at the club, not even for training purposes -they can take notes. Phone cameras? Well let the Sectarian minions have their view of the goals on You Tube.
Until the problem has been tackled Old Firm matches should only be for home supporters.
Separating Ulster Sectarian Politics as a specific makes it clear that separate issues such as. The Israel-Palestine situation are part of the normal discussion in society but Ulster Bigotry and it's politics has become a fulcrum for the identity of sectarian gangs in our society that have a proven record of violence, intimidation, discrimination, stalking and indeed murder. Much of that focus leading to those deaths and all the rest surrounding particularly the Old Firm. As such it is different and requires particular legislation to ensure peoples safety from it's effects.
The creation of an Anti-sectarian group to counter the Pro-sectarian cabals in our society, such as the Pro-Rangers Tories and most particularly the Pro-Celtic group in the Labour party with their attendant hate politics -because they are nearer to power. Entryism into political parties particularly clear in this case. Overturning legislation that 86% of the Scottish population supported. Even the majority of Old Firm fans supported. Therefore replace the past legislation with more effective legislation as is the want of the people. But as the organised bigots got their way. We should be taking steps to identify such people and confront them with their support of institutes that commit hate crimes.
