The SPFL may introduce measures to tackle supporter misbehaviour

An SPFL working group has been set up to look into ways to curb fan disturbances after recent incidents involving Celtic, Rangers and Dundee United supporters.

Proposals the working group may consider include using Scottish Government funding to identify culprits through CCTV and/or penalties for clubs, such as points deductions.

A spokesman said: "The SPFL is working with government and other partners with the aim of establishing a workable solution to help rid our football grounds of unacceptable conduct.

"An unacceptable conduct working group set up by the SPFL has been leading on this and looking at the issue closely with various authorities to develop practical ways of identifying and dealing with those responsible.  This work is at an early stage and is not being led by any one club.

"The issue of unacceptable conduct is something that the SPFL, its Board and its member clubs are absolutely committed to addressing. 

"Recognising that certain behaviours are for society to face and address as a whole, we believe football can take a leading role in moving this issue forward for Scottish society."

Celtic banned three supporters following their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Stranraer earlier this month.

The trio were suspended indefinitely after throwing smokebombs onto the pitch, causing the kick-off at Stair Park to be delayed.

Stranraer have been asked to meet the SFA following the Stair Park incident but chairman Ian Dougan says there is a limit to what clubs can do.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "We have to give our reply to the SFA compliance officer about all the things we put in place.

"Before the match we had pre-ops meetings, we met with Celtic, we had extra security, extra police, basically all the natural things.

"Bar about two hours' worth of searches, there is not really a lot more you can do.

"You have got the situation that, at Scotland games, at Hampden, Poland supporters were able to get flares into our own home ground.

"At a small club, with small walls, terracing, it is so easy to fling them over a wall and get them the other side."

Kilmarnock secretary Michael Johnston thinks the only way to get the message across to fans is to dock points if they misbehave.

"There are various solutions under discussion, so perhaps a more robust approach is required," he said.

"The Scottish Government and the SPFL are working together on a plan to tackle the issue.

"It is not a new problem, it comes and goes. At some stages it looks like it has been put to bed, then it rears its ugly head.

"The clubs want to do everything they can to assist in dealing with the problem.

"Do we need to introduce points penalties? It's the only sanction that's going to focus supporters' minds on how damaging it is to their clubs.

"Ultimately, if we want supporters to behave appropriately we have to have the sanction of imposing points penalties, I think."

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STV has reported that league chiefs may seek government financial support for a plan to bring in facial-recognition technology, which could help them pin-point troublemakers before they enter stadiums.

However, fans' groups have reacted with alarm to that suggestion.

Simon Barrow, Chairman of the Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) said: "The SFSA would be concerned at a rushed move towards intrusive surveillance.

"There needs to be careful consultation with fans and clubs, alongside wider consideration of how to deal effectively and proportionately with threatening and insulting behaviour.

"The best way forward will involve working with the great majority of supporters who deplore such abuses, rather than making them feel under accusation themselves."