Now soccer followers may very well be banned from grounds… for ‘hateful’ phrases on-line
Football fans could face being banned from attending matches over online abuse under changes to current legislation proposed by SNP ministers.
The Scottish Government will today launch a consultation proposing an extension of the use of football banning orders (FBOs) to tackle fan disorder.
It will consider whether they could prove an effective deterrent against disorder such as online abuse, misuse of pyrotechnics or other emerging challenges in the game.
It is likely the use of FBOs for online abuse would be used in cases where there is racist or threatening behaviour towards players on social media.
It would mean that those subjecting the players to such abuse could be banned from stadiums for up to ten years, in addition to potentially facing other convictions for their behaviour.
But concerns have been raised about the impact on hard-pressed police officers of having to investigate online incidents.
SNP ministers have previously been criticised for attacks on freedom of speech, such as the creation of ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics and hate crime laws which could criminalise comments made in someone’s own home.
Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: ‘Laws are already in force to stop pyrotechnics from getting inside football grounds.
MSPs want to crack down on online hatred as well as pyrotechnics at football matches
‘However, it’s clear that overstretched police officers don’t have the resources to tackle issues including the misuse of pyrotechnics and online abuse.
‘This consultation must not be another costly talking shop which doesn’t actually achieve anything.’
Legislation allowing for FBOs was introduced in 2006.
Police officers can apply to a sheriff court for an FBO to be applied, or it can be issued by a court instead of or in addition to another sentence for an offence.
But it can only be issued if the crime relates to violence or disorder at or around a match.
An FBO can last up to ten years and means the individual is banned from every football ground in the UK, as well as national team matches at home or abroad. Breaching an FBO can lead to a fine and imprisonment for up to six months.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: ‘Legislation governing FBOs was introduced in 2006, when the use of flares at matches and harmful social media behaviour associated with the game were much less common.
‘While FBOs can already be imposed on conviction for pyrotechnics offences that involve violence or disorder, we want to hear from people whether the law needs to change so they could be used more widely for pyrotechnics possession and misuse.’
Alan Marshall of the Football Safety Officers Association Scotland said: ‘FBOs are an important tool in helping prevent disorder…it is appropriate that the legislation is reviewed to reflect modern realities.’
