HUMZA YOUSAF has said controversial strict liability laws should be "on the table" after MSPs demanded clubs take responsibility for rowdy fans.
James Dornan and Patrick Harvie both asked if the rule, which would force clubs to bear responsibility for the actions of fans, would be considered following what was labelled "disgraceful" behaviour from Rangers fans in George Square on Saturday.
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Mr Dornan said he was "sick and tired of Rangers fans thinking they are above the law".
The Glasgow Cathcart MSP added: "The blame lies squarely with the fans at George Square but the club itself has a role to play, with the messages it sends and the behaviour of club members."
Mr Harvie, the Greens MSP for the city, added: "Given that so many thousands of fans are clearly unwilling or incapable of listening to encouragement, is it not abundantly clear we will only see significant change when every fan of every club knows criminal behaviour will bring immediate and severe sanctions for the club they follow?"
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Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "It is important to engage with the clubs and to try to bring them forward with us rather than impose measures on them but ultimately, it is what we may have to do if clubs are not willing to confront the fact that among some fans there is a problem, then we make have to work as a Parliament to find a solution."
He added that the option, widely opposed by football fans, should be on the table.
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In football, strict liability is when a club is held accountable for the negative actions of its fans at a match, rather than an individual supporter.
It is a standard currently upheld by UEFA for tackling offensive behaviours using a system of sanctions which can include docking of league points, forfeiting of matches, withdrawal of licences, a ban from selling tickets to supporters and the closure of sections of grounds.
A number of Scottish clubs have been disciplined under the scheme due after fans misbehaved at European matches.
In 2014, the English FA introduced the rule after campaigners and MPs applied pressure following a parade of racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic incidents that blighted the beautiful game.
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