Only An Excuse
Seems a tad unlikely I have to say - since the Labour party in particular have set their face against keeping the focus on football - arguing that the best way forward is a Scotland-wide crusade which doesn't ask any difficult questions.
Now I accept that the argument that football itself is not the cause of the problem - but a symptom of the ills in wider society.
But the fact of the matter is that Scottish football provides a unique opportunity for bigots bent on bad behaviour - to vent their spleen and spread their poisonous views.
And facing up to that by taking measures which are specifically targeted on football is what the new bill is all about - for example by increasing the maximum penalty for such behaviour to five years in jail.
What opponents of the bill are doing is to make arguments on behalf of their proxies - their behind the scenes supporters - for whom any argument will do if it keeps the spotlight away from football.
I heard some nitwit this morning on the radio saying - effectively - that football fans should be entitled to be '90 minute bigots' - but quite why is beyond me because I don't go to football matches to listen to vile sectarian songs.
The naysayers in the 'Celtic camp' say: 'We're not as bad as the other lot, so why don't you focus on them first - because we're only celebrating our rich culture and heritage?'
The deniers in the 'Rangers camp' say: 'The real divide is Scottish society is the issue of separate schools for Catholics - sort that and everything else will fall into place.'
But if you pardon the pun - this is 'only and excuse' for doing nothing - and for putting off any difficult decisions even though the new measures are fully backed by the police - especially in Strathclyde where the problems are greatest.
Seems to me the Labour party had years to mount its Scotland-wide campaign - yet has done little positive or practical since Jack McConnell declared some years ago - that sectarianism in football was 'Scotland's shame'.
The other day Celtic Football Club were fined 15,000 Euros by UEFA - for "illicit chanting" by Celtic fans during the Europa League match against Rennes last month.
'Ilicit chanting' is polite language for singing sectarian songs at football matches - the kind of behaviour that would get you arrested if you replicated your singing and chanting in the street.
But that's the point - the fans don't behave that way right under the noses of the police - they choose to hide in large crowds at football matches - where they think they are safe.
To their credit Celtic have not appealed the UEFA fine - and instead have taken the decision on the chin.
The logic for the club and the vast majority of decent Celtic fans is clear - we need to drive this kind of behaviour out of the game.
Now it may be society's problem as well - but it's Celtic FC that's getting fined - and it's Celtic FC that runs the risk of much bigger fines and being thrown out of lucrative tournaments - if things don't change.
And the same goes for Rangers as well - so both clubs have a interest in working together to stamp out this kind of behaviour - which the new law will assist.
Opponents of the bill are really saying that UEFA should lay off the clubs - it's not their fault, but responsibility of wider Scottish society.
Which is true in a very narrow sense - but to repeat my earlier point it's only an excuse - and a poor one at that.
