FOOTBALL clubs and authorities are not doing enough to curb the problem behaviour of a minority of fans, with the situation at a "tipping point", the Justice Secretary said.

Humza Yousaf pressed for action after a spate of incidents last season which saw coins and flares thrown, spectators clashing with players on the pitch, and abusive songs sung from the terraces.

In an interview with the Scottish Sun, he praised the efforts of Leeann Dempster and Ann Budge at Hibernian and Hearts respectively, who he said had led the way in terms of a robust response.

But he told the paper: "There's just not been enough measures taken by the clubs and the football authorities.

"What I have been heartened by in the meetings I've had with clubs, players' union, refs, supporters' associations and footballing authorities is that there is a coalition of the willing that are determined to take some action to drive this out of our game."

Yousaf added: "There are people who are not taking it as seriously as they should. But I think we're at a very pivotal tipping point."

One of the measures that has been floated is new licensing powers for councils to enforce the closure of grounds if clubs cannot control spectators.

The Justice Secretary told the Sun that "certainly licensing could have a huge impact".

A report into stadium safety was published earlier this year.

The independent review of football policing in Scotland found inconsistencies in the way safety certification was managed across the country.

It said the safety of spectators was put at risk and there could have been a "critical safety incident" at any of the grounds if not for the intervention of professionals.