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SPL clubs should be docked points if they don't tackle bigotry among their fans, Labour claimed last night.

The radical idea is the centrepiece of the party's plan to stamp out sectarianism.

They claim it's a better option than the Scottish Government's controversial new anti-bigotry law, which MSPs will be asked to back this week.

Labour say their scheme, which also includes calls for better education for youngsters, wouldn't require a law change.

Clubs would face warnings, then fines and finally lost points, if their fans continued to misbehave.

Labour's Shadow Community Safety Minister, James Kelly, said that under his plan, "the behaviour of fans could mean the difference between winning and losing the league".

He added that, with stakes that high, he was confident of changing the behaviour of the minority of fans who spout sectarian hatred.

Kelly urged SPL bosses to back the scheme, but Rangers FC said Labour's plan was "unnecessary".

The club said: "The SPL already has measures in place to deal with inappropriate behaviour by supporters."

Rangers said clubs were already required to show they were tackling bad behaviour by fans, and should not "automatically be punished for things beyond their control".

Rangers added: "We do a great deal to tackle sectarianism. The focus should be on people and organisations working together to address the issue, rather than placing the ills of society at the doors of football clubs."

Celtic said they had "not had an issue" with sectarianism at their club. They added that it was "a societal issue, and should not be laid solely at the door of football clubs".

Fans of both Old Firm sides have protested against the Government's bigotry Bill. They claim it is an attack on free speech that could see fans jailed for five years for singing.

The Bill is due to come before Parliament on Wednesday and is likely to pass because of the SNP's overall majority.

It criminalises religious, racial or homophobic bigotry at football matches.

The Bill will create two new crimes - sectarian and threatening behaviour at or around games, and stirring up religious hatred on the internet. Both will carry jail terms of up to five years.

Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories have refused to back the proposed new law, which critics have described as "not fit for purpose" and a potential nightmare to police.

And Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham has tabled a last-minute amendment which would give the Government a get-out if the Bill proves unworkable.

It would let ministers use minor legislation to "disapply" parts of the law, allowing a quick u-turn.

A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers would continue to take "an inclusive approach" to tackling sectarianism, and had spent s500,000 backing anti-hate groups.

He added: "We need to tackle the scourge of sectarianism wherever and whenever it occurs - on the terraces, in the street, or at the workplace."