'We hate Jimmy Hill, he's a censored, he's a censored'

FOOTBALL fans who hurl homophobic abuse at players and rival supporters now face criminal charges under a crackdown by Scottish police.

Following complaints from gay police officers about homophobic chanting at games, orders have been issued to give culprits a warning and, if they persist, charge them with breach of the peace.

Rights campaigners last night hailed the move as a breakthrough in ridding football of anti-gay prejudice. But critics accused police of going too far in imposing political correctness on society.

The Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (Acpos) has issued guidance to all eight forces that anti-gay abuse will no longer be tolerated and those who ignore a warning to stop should be charged.

A Lothian and Borders Police document headed 'LGBT [Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender] Prejudice', states: "Where offenders are detected, they should be reported for a breach of the peace with the circumstances highlighted in the charge and summary."

A police insider said if a group of fans chanted anti-gay songs or slogans, officers would warn them and arrest suspected ringleaders. A conviction for breach of the peace could result in a hefty fine or even imprisonment.

The move follows lobbying of Acpos by the Scottish section of the Gay Police Association (GPA), backed by other pro-equality organisations.

Inspector David Lyle, Scottish co-ordinator of the GPA, said: "We believe it will make a big difference. Gay people go to football matches and shouldn't have to listen to all that abuse."

He added: "I think this will help in allowing gay footballers to be open about who they are."

Calum Irving, a director of gay rights group Stonewall Scotland, said: "It's a very welcome step."

But James Delingpole, author of How To Be Right: The Essential Guide To Making Left Liberals History, said: "Football chanting is supposed to be offensive, that's the whole point.

"I think [it] is a valuable way in which men can let off steam. If they can't do it there, then I fear they might vent anger in other and more violent ways."

And debate rages over whether some terms are homophobic at all. The word 'gay' is increasingly used by youngsters simply to mean something is useless.

Christian Kay, professor of English Language at Glasgow University, said: "Gay is a very good example of a word which has changed. I doubt if anyone can remember that it once meant 'merry' or 'happy', and now it seems to be changing again. However, I'm not sure a middle-aged man at a football match could argue on the basis of teenage slang."

A favourite Tartan Army chant, "We hate Jimmy Hill, he's a poof", could fall foul of the ban, even though Hill himself has expressed his affection for Scottish fans.

Hamish Husband, of the Association of Tartan Army Clubs, said: "Most of us have sung it, never thinking there was any connection to homosexuality. For us, 'poof' meant 'not as tough as us'."