Latest news with #AngelaConstance
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Football hooligan crackdown ordered by justice minister after Old Firm experience
The SNP minister told how she could barely breathe or see the action on the pitch as 'ultras' lit hundreds of pyros at the Scottish League Cup Final in December. A crackdown on hooligan behaviour at football has been ordered by justice minister Angela Constance after her own experience of Old Firm mayhem. The SNP minister told how she could barely breathe or see the action on the pitch as 'ultras' lit hundreds of pyros at the Scottish League Cup Final in December. Before the game troublemakers rampaged through Glasgow city centre, spreading fear and panic. The game itself was delayed after pyro displays from both sides saw smoke sweep through Hampden. The justice minister hosted a round table discussion with football bosses, clubs, prosecutors and fans at Holyrood yesterday to find a way to tackle disorder at Scottish football. And she told the Record she is determined to change the turbulent and violent course of fan behaviour. Constance said: 'In terms of what I saw at the Old Firm game and also what I heard today, it's very clear that the issue with pyrotechnics isn't just an Old Firm problem, it is further afield and pyrotechnics have been utilised in smaller clubs and in smaller venues as well. 'But at the match I was deeply concerned for people who were there with children. And it was difficult to follow the football for all the coughing and spluttering I was doing. 'The health impacts certainly concerned me, not just because there was a delay to the match. The amount of smoke was phenomenal and there was a serious danger to folk carrying or lighting pyrotechnics too, as well as the stewards, players and families. So it gave me big concerns from a safety point of view.' At yesterday's summit, police, club chiefs and fan groups were shown footage of the damage done by pyros across Europe, where some players and officials were seriously injured. Last week SFA bosses suggested police and the Scottish Government should take the reins on curbing bad behaviour – starting with wider use of tough banning orders. Constance said she was determined not to be seen to be playing 'pass the parcel' with responsibility. She said: 'I gave a commitment earlier this year to chair a round table, a meeting of all our partners because of growing concerns around football disorder. 'By that I mean within the stadium or the impact on communities after matches. I very much recognise that the vast majority of football fans behave responsibly, but I can't ignore the behaviour of a very small minority. It was a very constructive meeting. There is a very strong shared will and desire for us all to work together to ensure football is safe for fans, players and also the wider community.' 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. Constance was told by the SPFL how they are sharing information with police and football authorities using CCTV to weed out disruptive fans. She said a consultation on Football Banning Orders will examine use of current laws and what enforcement is needed to combat disorder on the terraces. She said: 'Attending the Old Firm game certainly increased my resolve to do more to address the issue of pyrotechnics. I'm very pleased to have secured in our Programme for Government a commitment to consult – and the consultation will be launched this year on Football Banning Orders. 'That will test whether we've got the right legislation for the issues we face today and tomorrow. So we need to future proof our legislation, because there are concerns we don't have the right legislative response for pyrotechnics in the context of football matches.' Despite the recent revelation that Scotland saw just five banning orders in the last season, Constance would not commit to supporting a wave of new bans. SFA chairman Mike Mulraney last week said 10-year banning orders offer the 'jeopardy' required to moderate bad behaviour. Constance said: 'If we have legislation that can be utilised, that's a tool that should be used. But I also acknowledge legislation on its own is rarely the answer. The work to educate people and to engage people is important.' The summit will lead to a public consultation on banning orders legislation.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kick yobs out of Scottish football after violence and disorder mars beautiful game
Kick yobs out of beautiful game Scottish football enjoys a reputation for having some of the most passionate but good natured fans around. Every major championship – when we qualify – sees our supporters winning hearts and minds in our host countries. When it comes to club football, we have some of the highest attendances per head of population in Europe. Our love affair with the beautiful game is there for all to see. But during the season just finished we have witnessed a new and darker edge creeping in to Scottish football. Black-clad 'ultra' groups left shoppers terrified as they rampaged through the streets of Glasgow before the Old Firm League Cup final in December. Pyro-waving mobs also tarnish matchdays with their dangerous displays around and inside football grounds. Then there is the growing menace of items being thrown at players on the pitch – with one Aberdeen player being hospitalised after he was hit by a seat thrown by one of his own fans. This violence and disorder could end up as a defining characteristic of Scottish football unless tough action is taken. So it is encouraging to hear Justice Secretary Angela Constance vow to tackle this problem. She staged a summit with clubs, police and fans yesterday to try to find a way forward. And in an interview in today's Daily Record she tells how her own experiences watching football have inspired her to take action. We wish Constance well in her campaign to clean up Scottish football. Real fans will also be singing her praises if she succeeds. 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. Learn lessons In 2015, Nicola Sturgeon declared that cutting the education attainment gap would be her 'priority' as first minister. She said she 'wants to be judged on this' and that 'it really matters'. She even made John Swinney – her then deputy and one of her closest allies – education secretary to make sure progress was made. So it is surprising that after 18 years of promises under the SNP, the gap between the richest and poorest going to university is widening. Scottish Government statistics showed 25 per cent of young people from the poorest areas went to uni last year, compared with 60 per cent of the most wealthy kids. The gap of 34.7 per cent is up on the 32.5 per cent figure from the year before. Scotland's most disadvantaged pupils risk being left behind when it comes to higher education. No wonder so many young people feel disengaged from politics when promises like this are not kept.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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
