Charges under the controversial Offensive Behaviour Act have increased by almost 50% over the last year.

Latest figures reveal there were 287 charges reported to prosecutors under section 1 of the act, which is aimed at tackling sectarianism and disorder at football.

The charges relate to offences over 117 football matches across 29 stadiums in Scotland in 2015/16. That is up from up from 193 charges relating to 54 games played at 21 stadiums the year before.

Justice secretary Michael Matheson, commenting on the figures, said the recent "appalling" scenes at the Rangers v Hibernian Scottish Cup final at Hampden proves the behaviour of some football fans continues to be a problem.

Supporters group Fans Against Criminalisation (FAC) pointed out that 25% of these charges did not proceed to court and said it "looks forward to hearing the Scottish Government's comments on the effectiveness of their flag-ship, high-profile and extremely expensive anti-sectarian Act."

He said the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act is an "important tool" in tackling the issue. The figures relate to the 2015/16 financial year, which does not include arrests and charges relating to the cup final.

The statistic was revealed in Scottish Government on hate crime across the country. The figures showed racial crime remains the most commonly reported hate crime with 3712 charges in the last year.

The figures come less than a month after opposition parties in Holyrood vowed to attempt to repeal the SNP's controversial football legislation.

The Offensive Behaviour at Football Act was passed narrowly in December 2011, with every vote in favour coming from SNP MSPs, but the election the SNP are now outnumbered at Holyrood after the election.

A sheriff last month called the act "deeply flawed legislation" when dismissing charges against two individuals in Dumbarton.

Of the 287 charges in 2015/16 under the act, which was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2012 and has came under serious criticism since, 214 resulted in court proceedings.

A total of 86 of them have concluded with 73 convictions - an 85% conviction rate and the highest number in the four years since legislation was brought in.

In those convictions around 63% resulted in monetary penalties, with three custodial sentences and six football banning orders.

There was also an increase of 50% in the number of football teams that the accused was affiliated with from 22 teams in 2014/15 to 33 in the last year.

The accused were Rangers fans in 71 charges (25% of the total), Celtic in 27, Kilmarnock in 26, Hearts in 25 , and St Mirren 21.

The number of charges where the accused had an affiliation with Rangers has increased from 58 in 2014/15 but is a smaller proportion of the overall charges - down from 30%.

The number of charges where it was noted the accused was a Celtic fan has increased from 19 charges.

The matches with the highest number of fans charged under the controversial legislation were 20 charges at Hearts v Kilmarnock on October 3, 2015; 19 charges at Livingston v St Mirren on October 17, 2015, and 14 charges Kilmarnock v Partick Thistle on November 14, 2015.

The charges from these three incidents accounted for 18% of the total number of charges for the year and were all related to threatening behaviour

The figures have attracted heavy criticism from opposition parties at Holyrood, who are attempting to have The Act repealed.

Labour MSP James Kelly, who will introduce a Members' Bill to scrap the Football Act, said: "A quarter of charges do not proceed to court, never mind result in a conviction. This reinforces the lack of clarity and confusion around the Football Act. It is not effective and I will be pressing ahead with my plans for a Private Members Bill to repeal the Football Act."

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Douglas Ross said: "From the SNP's perspective, this is a brilliant law whether the number of charges is high or low.

"But the truth is it's unpopular with fans and has been criticised by the courts. The Scottish Government can't have it both ways.

"When the number charges went down it celebrated the legislation. Now, after a 50% hike, it still seems to think the law's working a treat. It's bad and unnecessary legislation and it needs to be scrapped now."

Mr Matheson said: "The recent appalling scenes at the Scottish Cup final demonstrated that the unacceptable behaviour of a minority of football fans continues to be a problem.

"An increase in the number of charges under the Offensive Behaviour Act shows that the legislation continues to be an important tool in tackling all forms of offensive behaviour, including sectarianism, and sends a clear message that such behaviour has no place in a modern, open and inclusive society.

"I have asked Scottish football to take further steps to address this long-standing issue and I expect to see progress on this imminently.

"Recorded crime in Scotland is now at its lowest level in 41 years and the country is becoming a safer place thanks to the combined efforts of our communities and law enforcement agencies.

"But one incident of hate crime is one too many. Intolerance in any form is simply unacceptable and there is no place for it in 21st century Scotland.

"Whether you're a victim, or you are someone who witnesses unacceptable behaviour, be assured that the police and other authorities will take your report seriously and respond in a robust way."

A statement from FAC added: "We note that in 2013 when the number of charges was 268 the then justice minister, Kenny MacAskill said the "Act is working well".

"In 2014 when the numbers charged were 206, Roseanna Cunningham, the then community safety minister said she "welcomed the drop in charges" and suggested that it showed that "strong action was being taken against a minority of football fans".

"In 2015, when the numbers charged were 193, Paul Wheelhouse, the then community safety ministers said "I believe the legislation is working. The evaluations, backed by the latest statistics out today, demonstrate that the Act has had a positive impact".

"We look forward to hearing from the new community safety minister, Annabelle Ewing her views on whether charges going up or charges going down is evidence that the Act is working."

Police Scortland chief superintendent Barry McEwan said: "Tackling hate crime is a priority for Police Scotland and we are committed to rooting out crimes motivated by prejudice.

"Last year we ran a highly successful anti hate crime campaign which reached many people and our commitment to eradicating hate crime continues.

"Police Scotland, with Crown Office, hosted a joint hate crime conference at Hampden Park in March 2016 at which the First Minister provided a keynote address alongside the lord advocate and the chief constable, showing our collective commitment to tackling hate crime in all its forms."