Opposition criticizes Scottish plan to fight sectarianism in football

The main opposition parties in Scotland have criticized a plan by the Scottish government to stamp out football-related sectarianism. There are concerns the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill is not precise, and could end up banning the right to free speech and religious expression. A delegation from the Catholic Bishops conference met with the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond this week.

“We in particular highlighted it needed to ensure the freedom to express your religious views, and the freedom to hold expressions which others might not like is not undermined by the legislation,” said John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Scottish Bishops. “The government took on board that, they realized that was not the intention of the legislation, and they have a promised…the rights we have under human rights article and provision are upheld.”

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