Latest news with #FootballBanningOrders
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic and Rangers in summit to tackle football disorder
A roundtable meeting led by Angela Constance, Justice Secretary, discussed stamping out disorder around matches. Recent seasons have seen a number of flashpoints including the use of pyrotechnics in stadiums and violence between rival supporters outside and in areas around stadiums at matches in Scotland. READ NEXT:Police officers slam Green Brigade Sheku Bayoh sign at Kelvingrove as biased As well as the two Glasgow Scottish Premiership clubs, Aberdeen and Hibernian were represented together with the SPFL and SFA. Fans' groups Supporters Direct and Scottish Football Supporters Association took part with the Professional Footballers Association. Justice organisations were represented with Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, together with officials from COSLA, Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council. The Scottish Government called the meeting to discuss efforts, including banning orders to crackdown on disorder, including pyrotechnics. Following the meeting, Constance, said: 'The vast majority of football fans behave responsibly. However, we need to look at what more can be done to address the very small minority who continue to create disorder. 'At the roundtable today, I was pleased to see a strong shared will and commitment of partners, including football clubs and authorities, fans' groups, football safety officers and councils, to work together to make football safer for fans, players and communities. 'We must all do everything possible, individually and collectively, to rid football of dangerous and harmful behaviours. 'We will publish a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches, and work closely with our partners to develop the consultation and consider next steps.'
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish football crowd trouble in spotlight as plans to tackle unruly fan behaviour set in motion
Public consultation to take place on football banning orders Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A public consultation on football banning orders will take place following talks between the Scottish Government, police, football authorities and player and fan representatives. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced the plans after chairing a roundtable discussion also featuring representatives from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Aberdeen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The development came after both of the main football authorities - the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League - called for stronger action to deal with crowd issues. A Partick Thistle fan with a yellow flare during the Premiership Play-Off quarter-final second leg match against Ayr United at Somerset Park, on May 09, 2025. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) | SNS Group Constance said: 'The vast majority of football fans behave responsibly. However, we need to look at what more can be done to address the very small minority who continue to create disorder. 'At the roundtable, I was pleased to see a strong shared will and commitment of partners, including football clubs and authorities, fans' groups, football safety officers and councils, to work together to make football safer for fans, players and communities. 'We must all do everything possible, individually and collectively, to rid football of dangerous and harmful behaviours. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We will publish a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches, and work closely with our partners to develop the consultation and consider next steps.' Clubs last week accepted new rules at the SFA annual general meeting, which will allow for sanctions to be taken against them over issues at Scottish Cup matches. The tightened regulations follow similar changes in competitions run by the SPFL. Pyrotechnics are set off during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park, on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group Speaking last week, SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: 'We see, particularly at Hampden, if there's significant pyro use, there are a large number of supporters that have to leave the stadium because of breathing difficulties, because of safety concerns, because kids are frightened and it's those supporters that we need to look after. 'It needs us to do as much as we can along with the SPFL. It needs the clubs to do as much as they can. It needs the police and the stewarding teams on a match day to do as much as they can. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It needs the Crown and the judiciary system to do as much as they can. It's a real collaborative approach that's required.' Sanctions dished out Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell were all sanctioned by the SPFL for fans' pyrotechnic displays in the Premier Sports Cup latter stages last season, and the champions, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle were all hit with disciplinary notices over similar instances in league games towards the end of the season. Other high-profile incidents late in the season included then Aberdeen player Jack Mackenzie being injured after part of a seat was thrown on to the Tannadice pitch, allegedly by a Dons supporter, and Livingston issuing a lifetime ban to a fan who allegedly spat at then Ross County assistant boss Carl Tremarco. An SPFL statement last week added: 'As well as club bans, unwelcome incidents such as these have unfortunately made it abundantly clear that there is a need for far more widespread use of football banning orders and we are encouraged by the progress being made in partnership with our clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish football crowd trouble in spotlight as plans to tackle unruly fans set in motion
Public consultation to take place on football banning orders Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A public consultation on football banning orders will take place following talks between the Scottish Government, police, football authorities and player and fan representatives. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced the plans after chairing a roundtable discussion also featuring representatives from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Aberdeen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The development came after both of the main football authorities - the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League - called for stronger action to deal with crowd issues. A Partick Thistle fan with a yellow flare during the Premiership Play-Off quarter-final second leg match against Ayr United at Somerset Park, on May 09, 2025. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) | SNS Group Constance said: 'The vast majority of football fans behave responsibly. However, we need to look at what more can be done to address the very small minority who continue to create disorder. 'At the roundtable, I was pleased to see a strong shared will and commitment of partners, including football clubs and authorities, fans' groups, football safety officers and councils, to work together to make football safer for fans, players and communities. 'We must all do everything possible, individually and collectively, to rid football of dangerous and harmful behaviours. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We will publish a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches, and work closely with our partners to develop the consultation and consider next steps.' Clubs last week accepted new rules at the SFA annual general meeting, which will allow for sanctions to be taken against them over issues at Scottish Cup matches. The tightened regulations follow similar changes in competitions run by the SPFL. Pyrotechnics are set off during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park, on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group Speaking last week, SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: 'We see, particularly at Hampden, if there's significant pyro use, there are a large number of supporters that have to leave the stadium because of breathing difficulties, because of safety concerns, because kids are frightened and it's those supporters that we need to look after. 'It needs us to do as much as we can along with the SPFL. It needs the clubs to do as much as they can. It needs the police and the stewarding teams on a match day to do as much as they can. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It needs the Crown and the judiciary system to do as much as they can. It's a real collaborative approach that's required.' Sanctions dished out Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell were all sanctioned by the SPFL for fans' pyrotechnic displays in the Premier Sports Cup latter stages last season, and the champions, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle were all hit with disciplinary notices over similar instances in league games towards the end of the season. Other high-profile incidents late in the season included then Aberdeen player Jack Mackenzie being injured after part of a seat was thrown on to the Tannadice pitch, allegedly by a Dons supporter, and Livingston issuing a lifetime ban to a fan who allegedly spat at then Ross County assistant boss Carl Tremarco. An SPFL statement last week added: 'As well as club bans, unwelcome incidents such as these have unfortunately made it abundantly clear that there is a need for far more widespread use of football banning orders and we are encouraged by the progress being made in partnership with our clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The National
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
SNP to consider banning football fans caught using flares at games
Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced plans to consult on the measure after a meeting with top Scottish clubs and the police on Tuesday. She said the Scottish Government would launch a consultation on whether Football Banning Orders should be extended to include people using pyrotechnics at games. Pyro displays at games are divisive among fans, with many considering them part of the atmosphere while others complain that flares are dangerous and make it hard to see the game. Football bosses are also split on whether fans should be banned from setting off flares at games. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) last week called for greater use of Football Banning Orders to deter people from using pyrotechnics. But Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive Ian Maxwell has insisted he did not want to see people banned from using flares at games, telling BBC Sport Scotland: 'You would absolutely never want to get to that stage and we need to look at the steps that we can take to avoid that.' Tuesday's meeting involved the SPFL, the SFA, Rangers, Celtic, Hibernian and Aberdeen football clubs as well as supporters' associations, the police, prosecutors. Glasgow and Edinburgh city councils and the local authority umbrella organisation Cosla also attended. Constance said: 'We must all do everything possible, individually and collectively, to rid football of dangerous and harmful behaviours. We will publish a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches, and work closely with our partners to develop the consultation and consider next steps.'
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Football bans for fans using pyro in grounds should be tougher, Scots clubs urge
Football clubs wanting to tackle the growing problem of pyrotechnics at matches are asking for tougher bans for supporters bringing them into grounds. Scotland's football clubs are urging for tougher banning orders for supporters bringing pyrotechnics into stadiums. The growing problem of flares being set off at matches has resulted in an expert working group saying that court-issued supporter bans are in need modernisation to tackle the issue, reports the BBC. Due to pyro incidents involving their fans in the Premier Sports Cup semi final, Rangers and Celtic were recently hit with a cut in future ticket allocations as punishment. However, football chiefs have admit "nobody has quite cracked" how to deal with the issue. Football Banning Orders (FBO s) prevent fans from attending any match in the UK and can be imposed for up to 10 years. Police Scotland data shows just five FBOs had been issued after conviction in the current football season, as of February 17. This has decreased from 37 in the 2023/24 season and 59 in 2022/23. However, the number of FBOs issued by courts represent just a small fraction of those Police Scotland asked for. In 2023/24 they asked for 226 FBOs to be issued if the person they arrested was found guilty by the courts. In the last decade across Scotland, a total of 504 FBOs have been issued with Rangers and Hibernian supporters topping the table - much of which related to the pitch invasion after the 2016 Scottish Cup Final. An expert group tasked with tackling the misuse of pyro at football was set up last year by Scottish ministers, which included the SPFL, the Football Safety Officers Association, Police Scotland and the Crown Office. Using Freedom of Information laws, the BBC obtained the minutes of its meetings which show the group was "strongly of the view" that FBOs "need broadening and modernised, with more flexibility". The minutes said: "It was agreed by all that the application of an FBO is a far stronger deterrent than club ban and increased use of FBOs is essential to combat criminal behaviour within Scottish football grounds." Change was made in England and Wales in 2022 where the courts were expected to automatically add an FBO for football-related convictions unless there is a good reason not to, which the group pointed to. In the first first full year after this change was made during the 2023/24 season, there was a 21 percent increase in FBOs issued. The Scottish government expert group also suggested that shorter FBO bans for first offenders"to provide proportionality for sheriffs" would be helpful. In June 2023, new legislation came into force making it a criminal offence to possess pyrotechnics at events like football matches. However, the working group questioned its usefulness. They note it is "being used infrequently at football matches", adding "there is a challenge in identifying and charging individuals who breach the legislation". The minutes add group members felt the "FBO legislation does not tie in with pyrotechnics legislation". Scottish ministers, in their latest programme for government, said they would consult on revising the current legislation on FBOs to make sure it can be applied in response to the misuse of pyrotechnics at football. One SPFL chairman, who asked not to be named, told the BBC clubs improving relationships with ultras and fan groups is key to reducing the pyro danger. They said: "We have got to be careful with pyro as there are people with genuine health issues who can be seriously affected by the smoke but I think sometimes the problem is the youngsters don't see the risk, or understand the impact on other people. "So we have to work with the ultras and create some reasonable boundaries and I think we can do that within football. "There used to be a lot more bad behaviour associated with the Tartan Army until they self-policed themselves, in a sense setting the boundaries for each other and that is where the solution really lies - each group of supporters having this informal code of conduct." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
