Politician steps into row over cross sign

GLASGOW, Scotland, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A British Cabinet minister has condemned the police caution given a Polish soccer player who made the sign of the cross during a game in Glasgow.

Artur Boruc is a goalkeeper for Celtic, a Glasgow team with an Irish Catholic fan base. The team was playing its traditional rival, and Rangers fans complained that Boruc had also taunted them, making other non-religious gestures as well.

Since Boruc was not videotaped, Strathclyde police say they based their handling of the incident on the fan reaction, The Scotsman said.

But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, a Roman Catholic and member of the traditional religious group Opus Dei, believes Boruc was warned simply for a religious expression.

"I must say I am surprised because this has traditionally been a country which has valued religious diversity -- and cultural and racial diversity as well -- and where there has been freedom of expression, both to express religious symbols but also other cultural symbols as well," she said.

Celtic and Rangers, known collectively as the Old Firm, have been making efforts to ease religious tensions between their fans.