EIGHTEEN suspected football hooligans face lengthy bans from grounds under tough new powers introduced last month, police said yesterday.
From September 1, Scottish forces were able to apply to have anyone convicted of a football-related offence banned from stadiums for up to 10 years.
The national football orders banning unit, a specialist team to deal with the new legislation, said it is already pursuing 18 cases. The cases are due to come up in court later this year and early next year.
Police forces can apply for football banning orders when an individual is arrested in connection with a football-related incident.
Offences that might result in an order include sectarian chanting, physical assault or shouting racist remarks. Courts can grant the orders upon conviction.
Half of the cases are being sought by British Transport Police, with the other half by Strathclyde Police.
All but one of the applications concern football-related convictions, with the remaining order based on intelligence.
Under the new powers, chief constables can apply for a football banning order to be imposed against individuals whose behaviour gives rise for concern.
A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers of Scotland (Acpos) said: "The police in Scotland are firmly behind the introduction of football banning orders."
The new measures were announced last month as the Straight Red campaign by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson.
She said at the time: "I am passionate about football, and those who sour the reputation of their clubs are a disgrace to us all. The police asked us for additional powers and we've provided them."
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