MSPs urged to be open to a Scottish football independent regulator
Politicians are being urged to be open to the idea of introducing an independent regulator to Scottish football.
A debate over the topic will take place at Holyrood today after a motion was put forward by MSP Ben MacPherson, backed by a cross-party group.
It has also been pushed by fan groups who claim more needs to be done to safeguard the game in this country.
The Scottish Football Supporters' Association wrote an open letter to Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell earlier this month, accusing him of dismissing findings of a fans' survey.
It found supporters were keen for more representation at the highest level of the game, as well as greater transparency.
Maxwell told the health, social care and sport committee in December that they always take the views of fans and other stakeholders were always taken into account.
Ahead of the debate, SFSA co-founder Paul Goodwin said: "The only way forward to overcome the problem of self interest is to have an independent regulator.
"To ensure that the game has a go-to person or organisation as an industry where some of the problems or longer term strategic issues can be addressed.
"We've never really had any oversight from the Parliament and we know that football itself has great difficulty in changing.
"So the fact that this is the start of the process is hugely encouraging to us.
"We've seen a fans' movement in England being taken seriously, but it has been dismissed here in Scotland.
"The politicians now need to realise that the only way we can make a change is with their support and help".
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