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A bid to scrap a controversial law aimed at sectarian behaviour surrounding football has been officially lodged with the Scottish Parliament.

Labour MSP James Kelly has brought forward a Member’s Bill to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

The law came into force in 2012, with the SNP using its majority to pass it despite lack of support from other parties.

After the SNP lost its majority in 2016, the Tories, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens united in November to back a motion calling for its repeal by 64 votes to 63 .

According to a public consultation carried out by Mr Kelly, 71% of respondents support scrapping the Football Act.

The Glasgow MSP said: “The SNP's Football Act is now approaching injury time.

"My bid to scrap the act has now been formally introduced and I am hopeful we can see a vote on it this year.

"As it stands, I am confident that next season will be the final football season with this poor piece of legislation in place.

"SNP ministers were arrogant to bulldoze this law through Holyrood in the first instance.

"Every other party opposed it. Academics, lawyers, football clubs and football fans opposed it, yet the SNP wouldn't listen and used its majority in the Scottish Parliament to railroad the Football Act through.

"Having lost that majority, having seen the clear public support for repeal through the consultation process, and then having been sent a clear message by the Scottish electorate last week to get back to the day job, the SNP really needs to wake up to how unpopular this law is."

A timetable for debating the Member’s Bill will be agreed next week, and the first vote is likely to happen before the end of 2017.