<P> The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament which creates new criminal offences concerning sectarian behaviour at football games . The Bill received Royal Assent on 19 January 2012 . </P> <P> The legislation was introduced by the governing Scottish National Party and passed by MSPs by 64 votes to 57 without any opposition support . Labour, the Tories, Lib Dems and the Scottish Greens said the bill was "railroaded" through by the SNP, and the Scottish Government has since faced calls for an early review into how the legislation is working . </P> <P> The Offensive Behaviour Act has been challenged on the grounds that it compromises the principle of free speech . In June 2013, The Herald described it as "knee - jerk legislation" which needed to be revisited, arguing that "Scotland cannot arrest its way out of sectarianism". Fans groups have also raised concerns about the law . </P> <P> In December 2014, MSPs met with representatives from Fans Against Criminalisation (FAC), an organisation that campaigns against the Offensive Behaviour Act . The meeting came after an incident where a football fan wearing a "Free Palestine" T - shirt was questioned by police at Tynecastle . Defending the legislation, SNP MSP John Mason told FAC he believes fans wearing "Yes" badges at football matches should also be susceptible to police action . </P>

Offensive behaviour at football and threatening communications (scotland) act