Football fans in South Lanarkshire could be given the red card for displaying flags and banners supporting their team.
Supporters showing off their allegiances may fall foul of anti-social behaviour laws, after a recent council report noted an escalating number of complaints, centred around celebrations following Rangers league title win earlier this year.
Council officers have stated that their actions are focused on displays in public areas, however their actual report lists both public and private areas as being a potential problem.
The report states that: "Ahe ASBIG will also consider actions to tackle emerging anti-social behaviour related issues throughout the year ahead. This includes issues already being discussed by partners."
It then lists: "An increase in complaints received by Police Scotland and the council regarding football related flags, bunting and signage being displayed on private and public property across South Lanarkshire."
Supporters groups reacted with dismay to the report, saying they were concerned it did not differentiate between banners that simply show support and those designed to cause offence.
Paul Goodwin of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, said: "Fans should be able to express themselves. Usually that's vocally and increasingly that's online but displaying banners is a long tradition in the sport going back over 100 years.
"It's alarming and concerning to see it being considered anti-social behaviour now.
"There are obviously banners and signs that are aimed at causing offence and should be removed, as should anything that involves vandalising public property, but putting a flag up or a sign up to support your team shouldn't be among that.
"We'd be disappointed if this went any further forward."
Earlier this year there was anger across Rutherglen after a banner expressing a sectarian slur was hung on Mill Street.
Councillors, authorities and charities all condemned the banner, which read "Can ye see us noo ya f***** c****."
Lanarkshire Live understands that banner was the only one this year which has received complaints to the police in Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “There were incidences of flags being erected on public street furniture, such as lampposts and street signs, leading up to and following the conclusion of the Scottish Premiership League.
"The council had received a number of calls from the public regarding this and the flags were removed.”
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