Kicking out anti-social behaviour

The partnership will tackle sectarianism and other anti-social behaviour

A new drive against sectarianism in football will include a crackdown on other forms of anti-social behaviour.

Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill announced a new partnership between football and the Scottish Government at Hampden.

An existing group tackling bigotry in football will be widened to look at drink and drug abuse and violence.

Mr McAskill said football clubs were influential and well placed to promote ideas about "positive citizenship".

The new group will include the SPL, the SFL, top police body Acpos, and sportscotland.

A Scottish Government official will be seconded to the SFA as a contact point for the group.

It is only right that the national sport plays its part in helping making Scotland a better country Gordon Smith SFA

Mr MacAskill said: "As a nation we are not only passionate about the national team but the national game.

"This is an opportunity to use football to motivate people."

He added: "As well as continuing to tackle sectarianism, the new group will look at issues such as anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug misuse, domestic abuse and violence.

"These problems are in no way confined to football but it can play a vital role in helping resolve them."

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said: "This new partnership will allow us to seek out new ways to tackle many of the difficult issues that sadly still exist in Scotland.

"While these issues may not always be football related, it is only right that the national sport plays its part in helping making Scotland a better country."