JAMES Dornan, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, has written to the CEOs of the SFA, the SPFL, Celtic and Rangers to renew calls for strict liability in Scottish football following comments made by Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke on sectarianism after his side lost at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
Clarke hit out at Rangers supporters for calling him a 'fenian b*****d' during the match, and described the West of Scotland as being 'in the dark ages'.
Dornan said: "Last night was just the latest example that the scourge of sectarianism is alive and kicking in Scotland.
"It’s time that everybody within Scottish Football took responsibility and stepped up to the mark to eradicate Scotlands last “Acceptable Taboo”. There is no place for Sectarianism in any corner of Scottish society; and while many third sector, private and educational organisations are working hard to tackle this issue there is no doubt Scottish football must do the same."
Dornan also wrote to Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf and Minister for Sport Joe Fitzpatrick, highlighting last night's issues and asking to discuss strict liability, and he welcomed an SFA statement that outlined they had met with both gentleman.
“It’s good that the authorities have decided to speak to Humza Yousaf and Joe Fitzpatrick," Dornan said.
"However, while I accept that this is a wider society issue it undoubtedly raises its head more often at football and it’s imperative that the SFA and SPFL, along with Celtic and Rangers, take their own strong actions and stop looking to hand the responsibility onto others.”
The full letter sent to the SFA, SPFL, Celtic and Rangers is below:
"Last night as Kilmarnock FC took on Rangers FC in a Scottish Cup replay I was deeply distressed to watch Steve Clarke's post-match interview and hear of alleged incidents of sectarianism blighting the Scottish game once again.
"Mr Clarke made scathing remarks which denounced the “dark ages of the West of Scotland”; he went on to allege that he was faced with chants of 'f***** b******' and asked why if it is contemptuous to call his assistant a 'b**** b******' then the same should apply to Sectarianism. Mr Clarke sadly noted that he was thankful that London club Chelsea FC had taken him away from his home country as this meant his children grew up having 'nothing to do with this'.
"For a manager to express that he would rather work for a club outside of Scotland due to Sectarianism within football, then surely this reinforces my contention that sectarianism is the 'Last Acceptable Taboo' in Scotland. Mr Clarke is not the only high-profile figure in Scottish football to come forward alleging that Sectarianism is an issue. Kris Boyd of Kilmarnock FC and Neil Lennon have both, in recent months, made claims of abuse. These comments reach a wider audience, which is not just damaging to the reputation of Scottish Football Clubs or indeed Scottish Football; but to the wider image of Scotland.
"I write to you now to invite you to meet with me to discuss what steps your organisation will take to combat Sectarianism; and if you still disagree with me that “Strict Liability” is a plausible alternative method of combating this? I would also like to discuss what other actions you intend on implementing to prevent incidents out lined by Mr Clarke and others.
"I very much look forward to your rapid response on this very pressing matter."
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