Scottish clubs snub justice minister Michael Matheson's fan disorder ultimatum

[ian1964 10,532]

Clubs were told to tackle fan disorder via Strict Liability or face legislation

They will discuss resolution to take responsibility for behaviour of fans

The justice minister's recent stern warning has fallen on deaf ears

 

By Stephen Mcgowan

 

Published: 23:54, 18 July 2016 | Updated: 23:54, 18 July 2016

 

Scotland's clubs are poised to defy an ultimatum by justice minister Michael Matheson to tackle fan disorder via Strict Liability or face legislation.

 

Clubs will discuss a resolution to take more responsibility for the bad behaviour of their own supporters at tomorrow’s SPFL AGM at Hampden.

 

However, Sportsmail understands Matheson’s recent warning to go the whole hog and adopt Strict Liability — or risk a Holyrood crackdown — has fallen on deaf ears despite the violent scenes which marred Hibs’ Scottish Cup win in May.

 

Clubs will vote on a proposal to accept more blame for trouble before, during and after games, at tomorrow’s get-together.

 

Angered by Matheson’s lecturing intervention at the SFA AGM in June, however, the new proposals remain some way short of the full-scale adoption of UEFA’s Strict Liability rules.

 

The SFA are currently awaiting the findings of an independent commission into the Cup Final disorder chaired by Edward Bowen QC. The report is due to be presented by July 31.

 

The governing body set the template for the SPFL by tightening up Resolution 2 of their rules and regulations to place more responsibility on clubs for the actions of fans.

 

As a result, Hibs or Rangers face possible punishment if they are found culpable of failing to do more to prevent events at the Final before, during or after the game by the Bowen commission.

 

Critics, including the Scottish Government, argue that’s not enough.

 

Strict Liability has the support of the SFA and anti-sectarian group Nil By Mouth, but was voted down by SPFL clubs who regard it as unworkable and unjust.

 

Tomorrow’s AGM will also see Hearts owner Ann Budge take her place on the league board at the second time of asking.

 

Celtic’s Peter Lawwell, Budge and Partick Thistle’s Iain Maxwell are standing for election for the three Premiership slots after Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson decided against standing.

 

Three Championship nominees, Dundee United’s Stephen Thompson, Leeann Dempster of Hibernian and Eric Drysdale of Raith Rovers will vie for the two places allocated to the second tier on the board.

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3696563/Scottish-clubs-snub-justice-minister-Michael-Matheson-s-fan-disorder-ultimatum.html#ixzz4Eq86YVjw

[26th of foot 5,912]

Ian, thanks for posting this piece. Stephen McGowan has long been Peter's man in the print media.

 

I fear events at the Scottish Cup final are being choreographed to appear that Rangers and Rangers supporters are equally guilty. A couple of weeks past, when 40 had been arrested, a posting on BellaCaledonia revealed 36 of the 40 were Rangers supporters. This posting did not last the hour, it was taken down. The second last batch of photos looked like the vast majority were Hibees, going by the prominence of green attire. We will be het too and the official findings will be another lever to be utilised.

 

Given the strict liability being promoted by the Justice Minister, I will ask Michael Matheson, Peter Lawwell, and Stephen McGowan(all Sellik supporters); a fellow Yahoo was convicted of having been involved in the fracas of the Scottish Cup final, as a club what could Sellik do about that? Strict liability remember?

[ian1964 10,532]

The board released a statement immediately after the cup final,they have since held their silence to allow the investigation,if the board are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation then they have no option but to challenge it!,let's hope they have the balls to do just that!.

[der Berliner 3,387]

As a result, Hibs or Rangers face possible punishment if they are found culpable of failing to do more to prevent events at the Final before, during or after the game by the Bowen commission.

 

Okay now, IF they want to clubs to do more, they should also give reasonable examples and advice what THEY WOULD have done. Else it is just shifting blame from inept stewarding and policing to the clubs who were essentially helpless at the game itself.

 

Similarly, punishing clubs with point penalties et al for fan behaviour simply is not on. If anything, they can bar clubs from having supporters at away games or, indeed, punish them with having games played in front of empty grounds. That would essentially guarantee self-policing by the support itself.