Further consideration should be given to strict liability in football

Scotland should consider introducing strict liability rules in order to tackle sectarianism in football, an academic has recommended in a new report.

Dr Duncan Morrow has published a report reviewing the implementations of the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland, which made its final report in 2015.

Dr Morrow, director of community engagement at the University of Ulster, previously chaired the advisory group.

In his new report, he said sectarianism remains a “deep-rooted and serious problem” and called for the further consideration of strict liability.

Speaking about the report, Dr Morrow told The Scotsman: “Change in the approach to displays of sectarianism or the expression of sectarianism in public in Scotland will not occur without change in the culture of football.

“This is not a question of singling out football for blame or of an exclusive focus on football. On the contrary, the current focus on football has become inevitable because it is the most obvious area of Scottish life where the expression of hatred on sectarian grounds is tolerated, normalised and yet simultaneously denied, with those who point this out dismissed.”

He added: “In its report, the advisory group was careful to underline that football was only one part of the jigsaw of sectarianism in Scotland.

“The group also recognised the risk that external solutions such as strict liability could have unintended consequences which could be avoided through a constructive and collaborative approach to addressing sectarianism with those directly involved in football. The continuing reluctance of the football authorities to demonstrate serious commitment on this issue, means that strict liability must remain a real option.”