Yousaf: Law To Force Clubs To Control Fans Is On Table

Plan to bring in strict liability after Rangers supporters rioted in George Square

- Vivienne Aitken

A NEW law that would make football clubs responsible for the actions of their fans is “on the table”, the Scottish Government said yesterday.

The move comes after the shameful scenes by some Rangers supporters at the weekend.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said clubs’ strict liability for the behaviour of their fans was being considered. He also hinted an independent regulator would be appointed “if football is unable to regulate itself ”.

He told a debate in Holyrood: “It is important to engage with clubs. We don’t want to have to impose measures on them but that is what we may have to do if the clubs are unwilling to acknowledge, unwilling to accept, unwilling to confront the fact that there is a problem among some fans.

“Strict liability is one of those options that should remain on the table.”

Yousaf also revealed he had been on the receiving end of two “rabid anti-Catholic messages” yesterday. He said: “Members of the Catholic community have faced this for far too long and as a Scottish Parliament we haven’t done enough. I say that from my own Government’s perspective.