Scottish football fans to face tougher penalties for bigotry
Football fans could be jailed or fined for singing God Save the Queen, Rule Britannia or "aggressively" making the sign of the cross as part of a crackdown on religious bigotry in Scotland .
New anti-sectarian legislation being rushed through the Scottish parliament will give the courts much tougher powers to imprison supporters for up to five years or impose unlimited fines after an upsurge in football-related bigotry and violence this year, particularly involving Rangers and Celtic football clubs.
Roseanna Cunningham, the community safety minister, told MSPs on Tuesday the clampdown could include the UK national anthem, which is regularly sung by Rangers fans, or the Catholic practice of making the sign of the cross if the intention was to provoke other religious groups or opponents.
Ministers have been criticised for rushing the new powers through in just two weeks, without proper consultation and review, before the devolved parliament starts its recess on 1 July and in time for the start of the next Scottish football season in late July.
Cunningham told a Holyrood committee studying the new proposals that the songs and religious practices were not offensive in themselves and stressed they had not been outlawed by the new legislation, but they could be explosive in the wrong context.
When asked by John Lamont, the Tory justice spokesman, if singing God Save the Queen could lead to a jail term, she replied: "The glib answer would be 'no' but it depends on the circumstances."
Cunningham, a practising Catholic, said: "I have seen hundreds of Celtic fans making the sign of the cross in what can only be described as an aggressive manner at Rangers fans. Making the sign of the cross is not, in itself, offensive but it all depends on the circumstances."
The offensive behaviour at football and threatening communications at football (Scotland) bill covers all types of media, including social networking sites, Twitter, bulletin boards, T-shirts, posters and graffiti. "Arguably, if somebody tattoos a death threat all over their body, then it's falling within the ambit of this legislation," she said.
Bishop Joseph Devine, the bishop of Motherwell, said he supported the catch-all definitions. "Any sign, song, picture or whatever can be easily abused," he said.
"In themselves, the sign of the cross and the national anthem are noble and honourable expressions but they can be manipulated for evil intent.
Scottish National Anthem - News
Roseanna Cunningham, the community safety minister, told MSPs on Tuesday the clampdown could include the UK national anthem, which is regularly sung by Rangers fans, or the Catholic practice of making the sign of the cross if the intention was to
Although God Save the Queen is the national anthem of the United Kingdom, Flower of Scotland has been adopted as the anthem for Scottish football and rugby teams. Now a competition, voted by the Scottish public, could decide whether a new song is on
He hopes his fellow citizens will heed the message of another tune, "Flower of Scotland," the unofficial national anthem which urges Scots to "rise now and be a nation again." While the UK has been one of America's staunchest allies — often concerned
we had something to boast about as well." Changed days, then. But Lorimer believes Levein is leading Scotland back into the light. He just can't wait for the day when we are basking in it again and every player knows the national anthem.
Music will be played by the Bolton Scottish Pipe band and onlookers will be encouraged to join in the National Anthem. The formalities will be followed by a drill display by local army cadets at 11.30am and a performance by the Houghton Weavers at
My all for Thee: O Flower of Scotland(Scottish National Anthem ...
In Freedom's Cause By G.A. Henty Mother By Kathleen Norris Scots Worthies By John Howie of Lochgoin What Men From Europe Brought to America By Clark Hunted and Harried By R.M. Ballantyne Crown and Covenant Trilogy By Douglas Bond The Hidden Hand By E.D.E.N.
Scottish government have made it illegal to bless yourself or sing the British national anthem at a football match. Mad eh?
Guardian saying that GSTQ is a bigoted song?! Its the British national anthem, how can people go to jail for singing it? 
RT : I think I would prefer if we locked up those offended by the sign of the cross or the singing of the UK national anthem. 
RT : I think I would prefer if we locked up those offended by the sign of the cross or the singing of the UK national anthem. 
RT : I think I would prefer if we locked up those offended by the sign of the cross or the singing of the UK national anthem. Scottish National Anthem - Bookshelf
Scottish Patriotic Songs, Flower of Scotland, Scotland the Brave, Scots Wha Hae, National Anthem of Scotland, Freedom Come-All-Ye
Modern Scottish culture
It is vital here to distinguish the Scottish Parliament from 'independence'. ... Royal Mile in 1999, taking a line from the Scottish national anthem. ...The identity of the Scottish nation, an historic quest
is passionless fustian compared to 'Scots Wha' Hae', Scodand's true national anthem. Scott was a brilliant writer and never better than when on Scottish ...Scotland and nationalism, Scottish society and politics, 1707 to the present
But that left no fewer than four possible Scottish national anthems; Robert Burns' 'Scots Wha Hae', 'Scotland the Brave', a blameless bit of rum-ti-tum ...The Caledonian
Thomas Campbell gave Ireland her national anthem, "The Exile of Erin. ... The Scottish National Song Society is doing its part. If it receives that support ...Day-after-day Note Directory
National anthem of Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
God Save the Queen is the national anthem for the United Kingdom as a ... In June 2006 the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted an online opinion poll on ...
YouTube - Scottish National Anthem + Lyrics
Scottish national Anthem.. 1. O flower of Scotland When will we see Your like again That fought and died for Your wee bit hill and glen And stood against him...
Flower of Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Although Scotland has no official national anthem, Flower of Scotland is one of ... In July 2006, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted an online poll ...
Scottish National Anthem - Millennium Stadium - Video
Scottish National Anthem - Millennium Stadium. Watch Video about Scottish,National,Anthem by Metacafe.com
Scottish National Anthems
Officially, the National Anthem in Scotland is that of the United ... Scottish) verse, which is apparently no longer an official part of the UK National Anthem. ...