Old Firm take ‘zero tolerance’ approach to sectarianism

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell and his Rangers counterpart Martin Bain claimed the Old Firm will be taking a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to sectarianism at Sunday’s Bank of Scotland Premier League showdown at Ibrox.

Both men, along with Hoops captain Jackie McNamara and Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson, were representing the Glasgow giants at a launch of a new initiative, ‘Old Firm Alliance’ which will aim, among other things, to challenge sectarian and racist attitudes though the coaching of school children.

Ahead of the weekend’s crucial Old Firm match, where the winners will put themselves firmly into the driving seat for the SPL title, Lawwell said: “Within our own fan base we expect the high standards we have achieved over the last years and we see no reason to doubt that we will follow that. We aim for zero tolerance.”

Bain concurred, although the Ibrox supremo admitted implementing the ‘zero tolerance’ policy will be problematic. He said: “It’s a similar approach at Ibrox, absolutely.”