ABSTRACT
Background This paper focuses on ethnic and religious hostility, discrimination and prejudice in Scottish football and society. It looks principally at the use of the term ‘sectarianism’ to understand important aspects of the background to the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. It uses public discourse, mainly press reports, over a number of decades, to reflect on the use of the term prior to the act’s passing. This exercise assists in facilitating a critical reflection on the historical, sociocultural and political climate that has contributed to the evolution of the Act.
