FOOTBALL fans who sing sectarian songs will be banned from every ground in Scotland under a clampdown on religious hatred.

Cathy Jamieson, the country’s justice minister, will give courts new powers to ban hooligans who taunt rival fans or players with sectarian chants or abuse for 10 years.

The penalty follows violent scenes at last weekend’s Old Firm match. The game was marred by allegations of sectarian abuse of players, two of whom were sent off, and violence in Glasgow city centre after the match.

Jack McConnell, the Scottish first minister, criticised both Rangers and Celtic for the behaviour at the match, which he said represented “a step back in time — and frankly it needs to stop”.

The decision to impose the banning orders reflects growing impatience among ministers with the Old Firm teams for failing to take decisive action against bigoted fans.

Jamieson hopes the new sanctions will improve Scotland’s international reputation and prevent certain players being singled out for abuse. Last week Martin O’Neill, Celtic’s manager, accused Rangers fans of being sectarian racists after they taunted the Celtic player Neil Lennon, who is from Northern Ireland. His comments were brushed aside by David Murray, the Rangers chairman.

The powers, which are expected to be included in a new police bill, to be published by the Scottish executive next year, will put bigots who sing or chant abuse on a par with violent football hooligans.

Jamieson had previously signalled that fans of any club will be banned from all grounds in Scotland if they are convicted of assault. The same penalty will now be applied to fans who chant what are deemed to be offensive and bigoted anthems.

The legislation may prove difficult to implement and the definition of sectarian songs could be open to interpretation.

Fans banned from football grounds will be required to sign in at police stations while games are in progress. Those who fail to do so will face up to six months in jail or a

£5,000 (€7,000) fine.

“Some people use football as an excuse to indulge in sectarian abuse. This is unacceptable in modern Scotland,” said a Scottish executive spokesman.

“Banning orders could be used to prevent those who indulge in sectarian chanting and singing on the terraces from returning to football matches in the future.

“This would both remove the worst offenders from football matches altogether and act as a strong disincentive against sectarian behaviour. It sends a strong message that there is no place in Scotland where sectarian abuse will be tolerated.”

Last night, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said it supported the move. “Nobody is suggesting it won’t be difficult to police a ban but you have to start somewhere,” said a spokesman.

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