Edinburgh teen banned over sectarian song charge

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A TEENAGER has been banned from football matches ahead of standing trial accused of singing a sectarian song on the way to a Scottish Premiership match.

The 17-year-old, from Edinburgh, who cannot be named, is alleged to have committed the offence under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act on his way to a Dundee United v Hearts match in February.

It is alleged that the boy carried out the offences in Dundee’s Union Street, near the city’s train station.

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Prosecutors say he engaged in behaviour that was likely or would be likely to incite public disorder.

It is alleged he sang a sectarian song and made sectarian remarks.

The 17-year-old, of Edinburgh, pleaded not guilty on summary complaint to the charge.

David Duncan, defending, said the boy had been released on bail at an earlier hearing and asked that his bail be continued.

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael set a trial date in June.

He allowed bail on the condition that the teenager doesn’t attend any regulated football match in the UK ahead of trial.

Dundee United won the match 2-1 as they battled to close the gap at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Goals from Guy Demel and Paul Paton were enough for the Tannadice side to record a crucial win in a stormy match that saw both sides reduced to ten men.