SFA Chief Executive Neil Doncaster has said it is not fair to make clubs responsible for fans’ behaviour in strong comments over strict liability.
The head of the national body has done well to wade into the debate. Talk over strict liability and punishing clubs for fans behaviour has got louder this season after numerous high-profile incidents.
And Doncaster believes that the controversial approach “doesn’t work”. He also gives his support to harsher punishments and custodial sentences to those found guilty of bad behaviour.
“Strict liability, where it’s been brought in, and UEFA competitions is a good example, it doesn’t work,” said Doncaster, as quoted by STV.
“We’re far better I think focusing on practical measures that weed out the individuals and hold those individuals strictly accountable, strictly liable for the actions that they themselves cause.”
“Harsher custodial sentences”
“We’d be wholly supportive of far harsher custodial sentences for those who do transgress.
“It’s important that that small minority of individuals who do engage in unacceptable conduct that they are found, they are identified and they are prosecuted both by the club and by the full force of the law.”
Doncaster also spoke out on the impact strict liability could have on the image of the game here. Discussing the two routes – either liability through your own stadium or through your own supporters – Doncaster suggested smaller clubs would be reprimanded by fan behaviour at bigger clubs, whilst bigger clubs would stop selling away tickets.
The comments seem to completely rule out any consideration of the move. There has been a spate of high-profile incidents at football matches in Scotland this season.
Rangers have found themselves at the centre of plenty of them. James Tavernier has been attacked at both Hibs and
A Rangers fan also hit a linesman with a coin during an early season match with Livingston.
