Scottish football authorities hit out at proposed new rules for travelling fans
The Scottish FA, SPFL and SWPL have issued a joint statement
Last updated 5th Sep 2023
The Scottish FA, SPFL and SWPL have raised concerns over proposed new rules for fans travelling to football matches.
A consultation document published by the UK Government last week on ‘Guidelines for taking passengers to sporting events in Scotland’ set out to impose limits on buses carrying fans to games in this country.
Proposed new rules included not allowing buses to stop within ten miles of the football ground without police permission and not allowing buses to stop at any pub for a beer unless it’s sold with a substantial meal.
The governing bodies believe the proposals are targeting Scottish football fans and that implementing them would 'demonise' supporters.
A joint statement issued on behalf of the Scottish FA, SPFL, and SWPL said: “There's no evidence that this is a significant problem in Scottish football. We are concerned by the targeted nature of these proposals which serve to demonise football fans and interfere unnecessarily in people’s lives.
“In Scotland, there are already appropriate powers held by PHV operators, Police Scotland and other partners to deal effectively with a very small number of incidents by a minority of fans.
“The consultation itself notes that the majority of football fans are law-abiding and do not cause any disturbances when travelling to or from games, yet these proposals would unfairly affect the vast majority of football fans who travel safely and respectfully to and from matches on a weekly basis.
“We don’t support these unnecessary and heavy-handed proposals and we will be making our views clear in the consultation.”
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