Scotland’s police overwhelmed by hate crime complaints after soccer game

Sky News host James Macpherson says Scotland’s police were overwhelmed by hate crime complaints after a soccer game over the weekend. Scotland passed new hate crime laws which have been the subject of controversy with many questioning whether it removes freedom of speech. “Now on April Fool’s Day – which was very appropriate – The Scottish government introduced hate speech laws which made it illegal to stir up hate against protected identity groups,” he said. “Within just 24 hours there were literally thousands of complaints, but that was before the weekend, and on the weekend there was a massive soccer game, and you know soccer hooligans are known for their chants and they can be a little bit racial at times. “Lawyers were warning and police confirmed that not only could people at the stadium complain about hate speech from other supporters … but people watching the game in the comfort of their loungeroom at home listening to the chants on TV, they could ring up police and they could report a hate crime coming through the television set.”