"We will not tolerate sectarianism as a parasite in our national game of football or anywhere else in this society."
Alex Salmond. First Minister for Scotland
Following the Celtic v Rangers Scottish Cup match on 2 March 2011, Strathclyde Police reported a sustained increase in the level of violence and disorder. This, coupled with a pattern of increased violence and disorder at the time of 'Old Firm' games, resulted in Chief Constable Stephen House of Strathclyde Police requesting a meeting with Rangers, Celtic and the Scottish Government to address these issues.
The resulting Football Summit , chaired by the First Minister Alex Salmond and attended by Scottish Ministers, Strathclyde Police, football clubs and football authorities, took place on 8 March 2011.
The group issued a joint statement which included a coherent eight point commitment plan to tackle the issues of violence, bigotry and alcohol misuse linked to not only Scottish football, but wider Scottish society.
The plan is being taken forward by the Joint Action Group (JAG). They will report their recommendations on how the Summit's recommendations will be acheived by the start of the new football season.
As part of the work of the Joint Action Group, established to drive forward the commitments from the summit, the issues of sectarian and offensive behaviour and threatening communications were identified as priorities. The Scottish Government acting in support of the JAG by introducing the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.