THERE is an infection in the heart of Scottish society that every so often erupts to the surface, usually via football, and gets treated with the cultural equivalent of antibiotic-resistant drugs.

“Tsk, tsk, don’t do it again, now let’s all move on and pretend sectarianism doesn’t happen in Scotland,” is the feckless and craven attitude that’s pervaded Scottish football and Scottish society for years.

At least the latest of the increasingly regular outcries against sectarianism is being given publicity.

Watching the press conference by Steve Clarke, Kilmarnock’s manager, on Wednesday night after he had been subjected to a barrage of sectarian abuse from Rangers fans was heartbreaking.

“To call me a Fenian bastard, where are we living? The dark ages?” he said. “I wake up every morning and thank Chelsea for taking me away from the west of Scotland because my children don’t understand this.

“Thankfully when I go down there my children don’t have to worry about this. It’s lovely being back in the west of Scotland.”

Kris Boyd had also been subject to sectarian abuse, and smoke flares, threats to officials and coin-throwing incidents have also been well publicised.

Reporting all that is horrendous for Scotland. Highlighting the extremist bigots who are soiling our society is sending exactly the wrong sort of image to the rest of the world, but it has to be done.

At a time when we need to be welcoming to all migrants and new Scots, this stain, this shame, on our nation’s conceit of itself is truly depressing. We need to create a far better, more tolerant and inclusive country for our children, but how can we do this when sectarianism is so rife, so obvious?

Unless the media reports on what happens, and unless politicians and Scottish society in general take a serious interest in combatting sectarianism, then it will linger on, possibly forever.

In bygone decades sectarianism in football involving the supporters of Celtic and Rangers would have been ignored and rarely publicised. It is mainly these two clubs which are surrounded by sectarianism. To say otherwise is to deny the obvious.

I’m also not going to get into Old Firm whitabootery or titfortattery. As far as I am concerned both clubs have elements in their support who are tribalist bigots.

Some of these bigots have links to shadowy organisations. That should be exposed.

Other clubs have idiots in their support who go out to cause trouble because they have some perverted idea of manhood. Cowards all of them, as they only ever act in a mob.

It is sectarianism, however, which is the biggest problem and it’s time to tackle it once and for all.

Back in 2012, two men in particular tried to tackle the issue. First Minister Alex Salmond and Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill brought in the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.

Its main aim was to tackle sectarianism in football. It was far from a perfect law, but at least it was an effort in the right direction.

Every politician who supported the act’s repeal last year was warned they would send out a message to the bigots that they have an entitlement to cause trouble with impunity. They ignored the appeals to change and amend the law, not repeal it, and guess what happened?

Look at what the SFA said yesterday: “This season we have witnessed match officials and players hit by coins, sectarian singing at matches and abusive and threatening behaviour towards match officials, players, managers and coaching staff. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and simply has no place in football, or Scottish society.”

So this is what needs to happen: Every club must have a membership scheme and only members can buy tickets. Break the law and you’re out.

Strict liability rules must happen. Clubs whose supporters break the law, whether it be with sectarian chanting or violent acts, must have points deducted and be fined enough to affect their performance.

Lord Bracadale’s 2018 review on hate crime must result in strong legislation – education has not been enough.

We also need to examine and discuss the extent and causes of sectarianism in our society, because it’s not just about football. The time for a public inquiry into sectarianism is long overdue.