RANGERS and other Scottish clubs are to be held up as role models  for how to address and reduce sectarianism and racism throughout European football.

UEFA official William Gaillard gave the endorsement last week after visiting Ibrox and Parkhead and also talking to Hearts and Hibs as well as SFA representatives and leading police figures.

Rangers' Pride Over Prejudice and other initiatives introduced by clubs and the general authorities have impressed UEFA. Similar schemes may now be encouraged across other countries with behaviour issues, such as Spain, Italy, and those East European nations where racism in football is widespread.

Gaillard, UEFA's director of communications, said: "We are convinced that Scotland is one of the countries that is doing some of the more interesting efforts in fighting racism and other kinds of discrimination.

"We came to talk to the clubs and the SFA to understand the reason for the success they have been having, and to transfer that experience to other areas of Europe where the football family has been less successful in stamping out racism or discrimination.

"The impression I am getting is that probably the problem today is not as bad as it was a decade ago, and the efforts have been crowned with success in many areas. What is left of it is still probably more of a Glasgow problem than it is a problem in Edinburgh or anywhere else in the country. Racism doesn't seem to be a big issue in this country.

"I am quite optimistic. Education and prevention is what we are really looking at and Scotland is a great example of somewhere where that has done a tremendous amount in practically eradicating the worst features of discrimination."