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THE SNP’s hated football bigotry laws will be scrapped if Scottish Labour win the next election, we can reveal today.

The party’s deputy leader Anas Sarwar has told the Record they will repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act as part of a radical shake-up in the way hatred in the terraces is tackled.

The Labour announcement will increase pressure on Scottish ministers as it comes just two weeks after Celtic demanded an urgent review of the 2012 Act, which the club described as “unhelpful and counter-productive”.

Significantly, the party’s move to scrap the legislation would not be opposed by Scotland’s leading anti-sectarian charity, Nil by Mouth.

The SNP’s laws are meant to target sectarian abuse inside stadiums, on the internet and among supporters travelling to and from matches.

But Glasgow Central MP Sarwar said yesterday: “The Offensive Behaviour at Football Act is not fit for purpose.

“It has proved to be ineffective and unpopular, not least because sectarianism runs far beyond our touchlines and terraces.”

He said if they win power at Holyrood in 2016, Labour would tackle sectarianism with “renewed focus” by “ensuring that the police get the support they need, and the well-meaning majority of football fans are respected”.

He said the party would focus on “education and prevention, not politics”.

Last night, Nil by Mouth campaign director Dave Scott said: “This law has been highly controversial, with courts, police, clubs and fans themselves seeming unconvinced of its effectiveness. We should remember that there are alternatives to legislation.”

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham has ruled out any review of the Act until a study by Stirling University researchers on its effectiveness is completed by August next year.