SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor describes his grandparents as Coatbridge's version of Romeo and Juliet because his grandmother was Catholic and his grandfather Protestant.

He says his party is not "in favour of retention for retention's sake".

Mr Macgregor concludes that the government would be strongly encouraged to make changes to the Act, should the repeal bill not pass (which he admits is unlikely).

Image source, BBC/Partick Thistle

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says she is a season ticket holder with Celtic and "there is no greater fan than I am of Kingsley, the Partick Thistle mascot than Iam".

Ms Lamont says this is not a debate about who cares most about abuse, but it is about whether this Act makes things better or worst.

She says she takes the view the Act makes things worse and highlights the injustices perpetrated by this legislation.

The Labour MSP says given the widespread opposition the government should have repealed this Act themsleves and provided a safety net if they percieved there to be a gap.

SNP MSP John Mason notes the west of Scotland is particularly affected by sectarianism.

Referring to the speed with which the legislation was passed, he says: "A problem of 500 years standing could not be sorted in one year."

He admits that he, as a backbencher, should have questioned the timetable more.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says having backbenchers that never question anything leads to bad law.

John Mason replied that he has often questioned decision and has often found himself in the first minister's office being shouted at!

Tory MSP Brian Whittle says the legislation was a knee-jerk action to a "particularly fiery Old Firm game".

Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing says the game he refers to was "not a catalyst but the tip of the iceberg".

Mr Whittle suggests by targeting football supporters specifically, the law actually perpetuates sectarianism.

An educational approach is far more effective, he argues.

"Bad law is bad law and the SNP government needs to heed the mounting evidence and repeal this Act."

SNP MSP Ben Macpherson admits the Football Act is not perfect and is not a "panacea".

But he argues it is a useful set of powers for police and prosecutors.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says it is irresponsible of the Scottish government to have not brought a review of the legislation until now.

Repealing the action would not be in the common good, nor would leaving the Act as it currently stands, Mr Macpherson says.

A gap in the law would be created by the loss of Section 6, he warns.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says he called for the "discredited" Offensive Behaviour at Football Act to be given "an early bath" in November 2016,

MSPs voted to urge the Scottish government to repeal its Offensive Behaviour at Football Act after that debate.

Image source, bbc

Mr McArthur says criminalising one set of society in one set of cirumstance was dubious in terms of human rights law.

The Lib Dem MSP says there will be no gap in the law following repeal.

He says now SNP ministers are now offering suggestions of how to clear up the mess they have made, which is a "desperate injury time bid to save face".

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green MSP John Finnie says Mr Kelly has made his case and no-one has disagreed with him that the Act is not flawed.

Mr Finnie says: "I support Mr Kelly's case to repeal the Act as quickly as possible."

The Greens will be backing the general principles of the Labour MSP's Member's Bill at decision time.

He says the police are not at war with football fans and those very fans are often self-policing.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says repealing the Act would be sending out entirely the wrong message.

Ms Mackay says she certainly does not believe this legisaltion is perfect by any means.

She says she does not believe total repeal is the right way forward, suggesting amending the legislation would be the preferred route.

The SNP MSP says there would be a gap in the law if Section 6 was thrown out with the Act.

Labour MSP Mary Fee admits she had been a victim of sectarian abuse - but not in football matches.

The worst of these - when she and her son were abused outside their home - ended in court, prior to the 2012 Act.

The individual concerned was charged with racially aggravated breach of the peace, she says.

She argues these same laws can be used to tackle sectarianism in football.

"It is clear there will be no gap in the law as is claimed by the Scottish government."

Image source, bbc

The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act was passed in 2011 by the then-majority Scottish government, in a bid to tackle sectarianism in the wake of that year's "shame game" Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers.

Only SNP members supported the bill at that time, and opposition parties were quick to move to reverse the decision after the government lost its majority in the 2016 elections.

Members handed the government a symbolic defeat in November 2016, voting by 64 to 63 to "urge" ministers to repeal the act "as a matter of priority".

Ministers continue to defend the legislation, criticising opponents for not bringing forward alternatives.

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SNP MSP Mairi Gogueon says she does not back the general principles of James Kelly's Bill as it would send out the wrong message.

Ms Gougeon says the Football Act should be amended and not repealed.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry says sectarianism has been allowed to fester and create deep wounds in our communities.

He calls for more support for organisations which work to tackle it.

Mr Corry concludes by reaffirming his support for repeal.

Image source, bbbc

SNP MSP George Adam gives the example of his wife Stacey, who he says is a fanatical St Mirren fan and a wheelchair user, and suffered offensive behaviour at a St Mirren Celtic match.

Mr Adam says she heard a Celtic fan shout will someone shut that cripple up.

He says he has cleaned up what was said for the sake of the chamber.

Mr Adam concludes saying: "Let's not those who want to be offensive at football win."

Image source, Getty Images

Labour has continued to argue sectarianism is a blight on society that shames us all, Daniel Johnson says.

We will not allow the scrapping of this law send any message suggesting otherwise, he adds.

Image source, bbc

In January last year we reported that the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act was to be examined by a senior judge as part of a review of Scotland's hate crime laws.

All four opposition parties at Holyrood want to repeal the football act.

But the Scottish government says it will not do so without a "viable alternative" being put in place.

Lord Bracadale has now been asked by the government to ensure all of the country's hate crime legislation is fit for the 21st century.

His independent review started on 30 January 2017, and was expected to last up to 12 months - after which the judge was expected topresent his recommendations to the Scottish government.

• Football act vote defeat for government

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says Mr Kelly has the full support of the Labour benches.

Mr Johnson says there is an argument that we should wait until the completion of Lord Bracadale review into hate crime, but he says the review runs in parallel with this Bill.

He says using the review to hold up the Bill would be spuriious at best.

The Labour MSP says legal experts have said repeal will not leave a gap in the law.