Latest news with #ScottishFA
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
SFA's amateur system risks another season of chaos for youth football
When the Scottish FA's Comet system crashed last year, you'd have thought it would have acted as ample warning against a repeat. Hundreds of matches were called off and a generation of volunteers were left in a state of frustration over their dealings with the SFA's complex computer registrations system. Several sources last year spelled out that Comet was overly complicated for the grassroots game. And too many people were stuck for too long in a 'computer says no' death loop. But roll on 12 months and with the new season six weeks away the computer pile-up is happening again with Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks. We can't overstate the importance of keeping kids safe but after last year's issues, there can be no excuse for another round of infuriating delays, exacerbated by the lack of any human helpline to streamline the process. Football is a moneymaker at the higher levels. And the SFA, which governs our national game, is not short of a few bob, with millions coming in via grant funding before any other revenue is even added up. That's why there is no excuse for failing to see this coming. 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'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The SYFA needs a team of professional administrators that can master any system or database required to run the game. Professionals must be available at the end of a phone to educate the officials of clubs who give up their own free time to bring youngsters into the game. And the SFA needs to sort this out well before next summer – or they will score a hat-trick of own goals that no one wants to see. Welcome back, Lewis Capaldi Lewis Capaldi's return to music with an unannounced performance at Glastonbury showed just how much he has been missed. The singer had been on an extended break from music since 2023 due to his mental health struggles. The break had followed a concert on the same Pyramid Stage two years ago, when his voice 'packed in' and fans had to help him finish his biggest hit, Someone You Loved. Everyone understood Lewis, who suffers from anxiety and Tourette's, needed to put his health first. It was wonderful to see him once more engaging with his fans in his modest way, despite his incredible talent. He's also back with a new single that deals head on with his troubles and highlights once again what a special talent he is.
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
SFA's amatuer system risks another season of chaos for youth football
When the Scottish FA's Comet system crashed last year, you'd have thought it would have acted as ample warning against a repeat. Hundreds of matches were called off and a generation of volunteers were left in a state of frustration over their dealings with the SFA's complex computer registrations system. Several sources last year spelled out that Comet was overly complicated for the grassroots game. And too many people were stuck for too long in a 'computer says no' death loop. But roll on 12 months and with the new season six weeks away the computer pile-up is happening again with Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks. We can't overstate the importance of keeping kids safe but after last year's issues, there can be no excuse for another round of infuriating delays, exacerbated by the lack of any human helpline to streamline the process. Football is a moneymaker at the higher levels. And the SFA, which governs our national game, is not short of a few bob, with millions coming in via grant funding before any other revenue is even added up. That's why there is no excuse for failing to see this coming. 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'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The SYFA needs a team of professional administrators that can master any system or database required to run the game. Professionals must be available at the end of a phone to educate the officials of clubs who give up their own free time to bring youngsters into the game. And the SFA needs to sort this out well before next summer – or they will score a hat-trick of own goals that no one wants to see. Welcome back, Lewis Capaldi Lewis Capaldi's return to music with an unannounced performance at Glastonbury showed just how much he has been missed. The singer had been on an extended break from music since 2023 due to his mental health struggles. The break had followed a concert on the same Pyramid Stage two years ago, when his voice 'packed in' and fans had to help him finish his biggest hit, Someone You Loved. Everyone understood Lewis, who suffers from anxiety and Tourette's, needed to put his health first. It was wonderful to see him once more engaging with his fans in his modest way, despite his incredible talent. He's also back with a new single that deals head on with his troubles and highlights once again what a special talent he is.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dozens of kids football camps to return in Scotland during summer holidays – and they're FREE
Check the full list of footy camps further down in this story HAVING A BALL Dozens of kids football camps to return in Scotland during summer holidays – and they're FREE THOUSANDS of Scottish youngsters will be able to take part in free football camps this summer. Dozens of week-long kickabouts will take place across the country in July and August. 3 Ex-Scotland player Lee McCulloch got involved with the football camps Credit: Scottish FA 3 Pat Nevin will also be involved Credit: Scottish FA Advertisement The Scottish FA and Scottish Gas have arranged the events to take place to give kids the opportunity to have fun while improving their football skills. The young players will also have a chance to win prizes at the events for showing good teamwork, communication, respect and fair play. They good even get a chance to win tickets to Scottish Cup games. Bosses say the camps are a good way to keep youngsters engaged and active while off school. Advertisement Around 1,500 kids are expected to take part in the footy events this summer. There is even a chance to meet some of their sporting heroes while there. Former Scotland international Lee McCulloch visited one of the camps in Falkirk last year and even got involved with the coaching. He said: 'Football has always been more than just a game to me. It's about teamwork, confidence, and keeping active. Advertisement "These camps are a brilliant way for kids to stay engaged during the break while also giving parents some much-needed peace of mind.' The ex-national side star even stopped by the family home of Lucas, one of the young players, to chat to his family about the positive impact of the camps. Lidl Air Fryer Recall, TOFS Closing Down Sales, and Jolly's Department Store Revival – Money News Today The Summer football camps build on recent findings showing that nearly half of UK parents feel anxious about keeping children entertained and fed during school holidays — pressures that initiatives like these help to ease. Lucas' mum Deborah said it was a great opportunity for her lad while also allowing her to work and giving her peace of mind he was being looked after. She said: 'As a mum, the best thing about the Scottish Gas football camps is that I can continue to work over the holidays, while my son is at the camp having fun, being active, and in a safe, friendly environment.' Advertisement Footy chiefs have also increased the number of their para camps, which support children with disabilities in engaging with football. Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin has been involved in the para camps. He said: "There's strong evidence that football and sport can play a huge role in supporting young people with autism, from improving motor skills and social interaction to helping reduce the severity of certain symptoms. "That's why initiatives like the Para Football Camps are so important. "The positive impact they can have isn't just significant — it can be life-changing." Advertisement Para football summer camps AN INCREASED number of the para football camps for children with disabilities have been organised for later this year. They will be taking place at football grounds across the country over the coming months. A full list of these events can be found HERE. James Corcoran, Head of Strategic Brand Partnerships at Scottish Gas, added: 'Scottish Gas has been a constant in communities for generations, and we're proud to support families when it matters most. "Our holiday camps are about more than football – they offer fun activities for kids and support for parents who need a reliable helping hand over the holidays.'
STV News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
SFA gives detailed response to 'misleading' Rangers disciplinary complaint
The Scottish FA has responded to Rangers' complaint about their disciplinary process, saying the Ibrox club made misleading comments about their judicial system. Rangers went public with their anger over a £3,000 fine levied by an independent panel over comments made on club TV by former player John Brown. While commentating on a match against Hibs at Easter Road, Brown claimed a controversial decision not to award Rangers a goal was 'corrupt' and doubled down on his statement after his colleague corrected his language. Following the decision, which punished the club under a rule that prevents allegations of 'bias or incompetence' being directed at match officials, Rangers issued a lengthy statement claiming that similar incidents at other clubs have gone unpunished, and that the decision has 'implications for clarity and confidence in the regulatory system'. The club said that Brown has spoken 'spontaneously and emotionally' and that his comments 'come with the territory' of live broadcasting. The Scottish FA has now responded, saying that the written reasons from the independent disciplinary panel will be published in due course, but taking issue with the points made by Rangers. The governing body said that they had to address 'misleading comment' in the interest of accuracy and said that the decision and punishment were in accordance by the rules that all member clubs are expected to adhere to. A recent case involving Motherwell's Richard Foster was highlighted, with Foster having been banned from the touchline for six games after making similar comments last season. The SFA also answered a query about the 'rationale behind different outcomes', saying that the organisation's compliance officer can take action short of a full disciplinary charge. Recent incidents involving three Rangers players were given as an example. The statement read: 'Furthermore, to address the comments regarding 'rationale behind differing outcomes', we wish to point to the fact that investigations were undertaken in previous cases outlined and that the Compliance Officers of the time saw fit to issue a censure by way of warning letter for potential breaches deemed insufficiently serious to be progressed to a Notice of Complaint. 'This system of proportionality has been adopted since the inception of the Judicial Panel Protocol in 2011. Indeed, such discretion was exercised last season when the Compliance Officer wrote to the club to warn of the future conduct of players following matters involving Vaclav Cerny, Dujon Sterling and Mohamed Diomande. 'We also note that Rangers intend to contact the association to seek clarity on the Judicial Panel Protocol and its application. The club is, in fact, already represented on the JPP Working Group.' The statement concluded by reminding all clubs of their responsibilities in regard to referees, pointing out that the rule that Brown broke with his comments was brought in by clubs to protect referees following their strike in 2010. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
SFA say Rangers fine 'in keeping with rules'
The Scottish FA say the imposition of a fine on Rangers following a comment by John Brown made on club media "was entirely in keeping with the application of the rules".Rangers said on Thursday the SFA "will be watched closely" after the £3,000 a match against Hibernian, Nicolas Raskin appeared to bundle the ball over the line, with the SFA's key match incident panel later ruling the goal should have Ibrox club feel there has been a "lack of consistency with the Scottish FA's policing of similar incidents".But the SFA said a recent "sanction imposed on Richard Foster of Motherwell FC for comments of a similar nature in the media, attests to" consistency. On 17 May at Easter Road, referee Nick Walsh and his on-field officials thought the ball had been kept out by Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri, and VAR Andrew Dallas ruled that there was no camera angle that proved Raskin's effort had gone equalised through Kieron Bowie moments later, with the match finishing said on the club's in-house TV channel: "I would say it is corrupt."Commentator Tom Miller replied: "Well, I'm not sure we can actually say that." However, Brown added: "Well, I am saying it."Rangers subsequently demanded the introduction of goal-line technology and said of the fine on Thursday: "If this is now the standard, they will be watched closely to ensure it is applied across the board, consistently, without exception and without favour."However, the SFA countered: "The sanction imposed by an independent panel was entirely in keeping with the application of the rules."Investigations were undertaken in previous cases outlined and that the compliance officers of the time saw fit to issue a censure by way of warning letter for potential breaches deemed insufficiently serious to be progressed to a notice of complaint."We have requested written reasons from the panel chair involved in the tribunal and in the interests of transparency will publish in due course."The SFA added that the relevant protocol had been introduced "in response to the referee strike of 2010, when match officials campaigned for greater protection after enduring sustained personal criticism from clubs and fans"."Ahead of a new season, we remind clubs of their responsibilities in this regard," the governing body said.
