EXCLUSIVE: Police chiefs back calls for more thugs to be banned following season of mayhem in Scottish football, while Justice Secretary announces public consultation over issue
Police chiefs are backing calls for greater use of banning orders on hooligans following a season of mayhem in Scottish football.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said the court-imposed orders were 'instrumental' in helping to keep the majority of well-behaved fans, players and communities safe, while David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, described them as 'a powerful tool'.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced yesterday that a public consultation on the issue will take place following talks between the Scottish Government, police, football authorities and player and fan representatives.
Both the SFA and SPFL have called for more action to be taken after a season marred by illegal pyrotechnic displays and the throwing of items on to the field of play, the most serious of which saw Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie struck on the head by a chair.
Assistant Chief Constable Waddell said: 'We should all be able to go to a football match and enjoy the game without fear of violence or disorder. Football banning orders can be instrumental in helping to keep fans, players and communities safe.
'There must be deterrents and that includes police enforcement, as well as sanctions from the clubs, authorities and courts issuing football banning orders.
'We are working with the Scottish Government to explore strengthening current legislation and we continue to work with the clubs and the justice system to tackle criminality together.'
Kennedy, who represents Scotland's rank and file officers, said: 'Banning orders are a powerful tool and we would encourage their use to combat a minority of people who are giving football a bad name.
'They have the effect of banning individuals from the grounds which obviously doesn't mean they won't create problems in the vicinity of the venue - and we have fewer police on the ground to deal with them if they should do so. But keeping them out of the grounds is an important step and one we would support and encourage.
'The order can be imposed by a sheriff as part of sentencing - or it can be applied for by police.'
Last month it was reported that just five Football Banning Orders (FBOs) were issued in Scotland between last August and February this year. That was down from 37 in the 2023-24 season and 59 in 2022-23.
The orders can last up to 10 years and 'the length of the ban reflects the seriousness of the offence'.
A breach can lead to a fine and up to six months in jail. Getting an order means a ban from every football ground in the UK.
It also means a ban from the national team's matches, including ones played abroad.
Anyone hit with a ban may also have to hand their passport into a police station when their team plays abroad - and they will have to report at a police station on the day the game is played.
Specific conditions can be imposed on a case-by-case basis - but 'must be relevant to the original offence'.
Bans can apply on public transport on match days, and can forbid travel to other public places such as town and city centres, railway stations, pubs, and bars which are popular with fans.
Justice Secretary Constance announced plans for a public consultation on the issue after chairing a roundtable discussion which featured the SFA and SPFL, PFA Scotland, police officials, safety officers from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Aberdeen, Supporters Direct and the Scottish Football Supporters Association, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and local council representatives..
She 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.
'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 AGM, 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.
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.
'It needs the Crown and the judiciary system to do as much as they can. It's a real collaborative approach that's required.'
Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell were all sanctioned by the SPFL for fans' pyrotechnic displays in the Premier Sports Cup 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 campaign.
Other high-profile incidents late in the season included Aberdeen player 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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
In numbers: Why is Miller so coveted?
Clearly an 18-year-old who has played 76 first-team games, captained his club, and made his international debut possesses talent which is going to attract his debut Lennon Miller's close control, passing range, and vision have caught the across the world are data driven, always looking for young players with positive numbers who can be bought at a relatively low price, developed, and sold on.A look at some of the numbers for central midfielders in the Scottish Premiership last season demonstrates why Miller would appear in lots of an adept set-piece taker, Miller grabbed eight assists for Motherwell, a tally only bettered by Rangers' Nicolas Raskin among central midfielders in the a deeper-lying midfielder, he was deployed as one of two number 10s in the early part of the campaign for Motherwell, and ranked third among midfielders for chances created by the end of the season, as well as deliveries into the for the dirtier side of the game, only Celtic captain Callum McGregor won the ball back more times than teenager was also the most fouled central midfielder in the league, a nod to his ability to use his body to protect the ball in tight spaces, and his dribbling prowess passing accuracy as a whole is further down the charts, which hints at an area for development, but Motherwell's direct style and Miller's tendency to play riskier passes forward could also be behind the lower course individual statistics are not themselves the basis for signing what has been striking about Miller has been the calmness and confidence with which he has played since his has often been keen to take responsibility, for example scoring an injury-time penalty against Dundee United to send Motherwell to the semi-finals of the League was similarly unbothered by his first Scotland start against Liechtenstein, putting in a standout display."He makes football look easy regardless of what game he plays in," his former Motherwell team-mate Tony Watt posted on X after that more: What next for highly-rated Motherwell teenager Miller?
The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Harry Kane breaks Argentine hearts as Bayern win over Boca Juniors puts best supported team on verge of World Cup exit
WHO else but Harry Kane to help break the hearts of 60,000 Argies? The England skipper was at his lethal best in Miami last night, rifling in a trademark finish on 18 minutes to silence the vast majority of a packed Hard Rock Stadium. 3 3 Miguel Merentiel's brilliant 66th minute leveller sparked wild scenes of celebration. But with just five minutes remaining, you could almost hear a pin drop as former Crystal Palace ace Michael Olise was teed up by Kane before sliding home the winner to stun the South Americans. It puts the phenomenally supported Boca Juniors on the brink of an embarrassing premature Club World Cup exit - and the fact it was an Englishman who sent them hurtling towards an early flight home will surely have increased their pain. Boca certainly brought the noise - the atmosphere was absolutely tremendous - but Bayern had the clinical efficiency needed to cement their place in the Club World Cup knockout stages. And, of course, it was King Kane who set the German champs on their way with his 39th goal of the season. The equally impressive Kingsley Coman set the former Tottenham hitman free, and the left-foot finish was typically razor sharp. Vincent Kompany's men should have been home and hosed by half-time - Olise had a ninth minute effort chalked off before he almost rounded Boca keeper Agustin Marchesin on 31 minutes to increase Bayern's lead. Manuel Neuer was finally called into action on 34 minutes, fisting away Kevin Zenon's close range effort, yet the German powerhouse were in firm control. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Miami boasts a huge Argentinian community while thousands had also flown in from Buenos Aires to see their heroes in yellow and blue mix it with the European giants. Their fans were incredible. Yet no matter how loud they sang, it wasn't enough to push them over the line. Harry Kane enjoys makeshift ice bath in WHEELIE BIN after 10-0 Bayern Munich rout in Club World Cup opener All looked lost. But then, almost out of nowhere, Merentiel powered in on goal, coolly flicked the ball past center-back Josip Stanisic and sweetly curled in to spark absolute mayhem in the stands. Boca believed. Hard Rock Stadium was bouncing. Yet the excellent Olise, set up by the tireless Kane, had the last laugh with his neatly taken 85th minute winner. While Bayern - who smashed 10 goals past hapless Auckland City in the first game with Kane somehow not on the scoresheet - booked their place in the last 16, Boca now need to beat the Kiwis heavily on Tuesday and hope Benfica are downed by the Germans. Kane reckons his Bundesliga champions are one of the teams to beat here and said: "It's a massive tournament, we're playing against the best teams in the world. We've always said it's us against us. "We have to compete to our highest level and we should be able to beat most teams. So far, so good in this competition."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Nuno Espirito Santo signs new contract but Nottingham Forest appear to make gaffe in statement announcing it
NOTTINGHAM FOREST appeared to make a major gaffe in their announcing of Nuno Espirito Santo's new contract. Forest, surprisingly, announced a new deal for their Portuguese gaffer early on Saturday morning. 3 3 3 The former Porto and Spurs boss has inked a new three-year deal at the City Ground, although you wouldn't have known it if you looked at the Midlands club's website. Eagle-eyed fans spotted that Forest had mistakenly stated that Nuno inked an "x-year deal" in their statement announcing the new contract. A snippet of the club's official statement read: " Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce that Nuno Espírito Santo has signed a new contract with the Club. "The Forest Head Coach has been handed a new x-year deal by owner Evangelos Marinakis ahead of the 2025/26 campaign." Nuno, 51, is over the moon to have extended his stay at the City Ground, which is set to host UEFA Conference League football this coming season. He said: "I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football Club. 'Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the Club, which helped us achieve great things last season. "I would like to thank our owner, Mr. Marinakis, for his constant support and backing. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS "It is important to me to share a strong relationship with our ownership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working together ever since I arrived at Forest. 'Now is the time to work harder than ever as we strive for more special memories together.' Marinakis said of the new deal: "Nuno has made a great impact and performed very well during his time with us so far. 'He has demonstrated that he maximises player performance and is an expert at developing players, whilst also embedding our young talent into the first team set-up. 'We enjoy a strong and solid relationship together and, above all, we share the same dream and ambition of writing a new history for Nottingham Forest, competing in the Premier League and in Europe and winning trophies for our great club!' Forest will kick off their Premier League season on Saturday, August 17, away to Brighton. The Tricky Trees will play the first leg of their Conference League play-off on August 21.
