Football and sectarianism

All Scottish football clubs try to promote the enjoyment of the game and the safety of the fans. Although modern teams and their fans come from a diverse range of ethnic origins and religious backgrounds, historically certain teams throughout Scotland are seen to be sectarian rivals.

Most football fans simply love to watch the match and cheer on their team. The Scottish football authorities and clubs promote this acceptable behaviour and condemn elements within the support who sing sectarian songs, abuse their fellow supporters and perpetuate sectarianism and bigotry.

Some football clubs have set out to promote positive values, health and wellbeing and to challenge sectarianism through initiatives such as the Old Firm Alliance.

Tackling sectarianism in football

The Scottish Government has worked together with the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Football League and police to promote acceptable behaviour and reduce sectarianism in football through:

• raising awareness of the issue
• agreeing a code of unacceptable behaviour
• encouraging a more standardised approach to stewarding matches
• looking to use Football Banning Orders in a more consistent way.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has produced a guide for clubs to tackle racism (including religious prejudice) in club football. In line with this, the Scottish Football Association requires member clubs to have policies in place to deal with unacceptable conduct, which includes sectarianism. The Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League also provide clear guidance for their members on this.

Football clubs across Scotland have taken measures to tackle sectarianism among their supporters both inside and outside their grounds. In this context, the definition of unacceptable conduct includes sectarianism and any other forms of religious or racial prejudice.

Football Banning Orders

Football Banning Orders (FBOs) were introduced to Scotland on 1 September 2006. They were designed to impact on all football-related violence and disorder and will ensure that those who have been involved in football-related disorder are prevented from attending games at any UK ground or abroad. These orders can last up to 10 years.

Territoriality and Sectarianism in Glasgow: A Qualitative Study

This study of sectarianism in Glasgow conducted in June 2008 contains a section on football that focuses on 16-year-old youths who have witnessed sectarian-related incidents of violence, vandalism and graffiti in their local areas.

Football-related sectarianism was seen to be related to family influence, the continuing ‘traditions’ associated with the Old Firm and a tendency towards male tribalism and machismo.

The report concludes that the young people had little anti-sectarian education in school and suggests that Curriculum for Excellence is the opportunity ‘to teach controversial issues, the exploration of social values and the fostering of active participation'.