Unworkable, unmanageable, unenforceable. Get it in the bin.
The clubs these fans support can be a huge force for good more folk attend matches in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe.
Celebrate them, don’t punish them.
— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP)
Competitions covered include the Highland and Lowland leagues as well as the major leagues and cups but also “association football matches (other than those specified above) which come within the jurisdiction of the Scottish Football Association”. The proposals also cover games played by Scottish teams outside of the country.
The plans prompted criticism from supporters and politicians after being highlighted on social media by Derek Watson, who is a board member of the Well Society, Motherwell’s fan ownership body.
Watson said: “The draconian proposals put civil liberties at risk. Not only does this propose stricter monitoring of the average football fan, it would have a significant detrimental impact on small businesses and football clubs.
“Pubs in the vicinity of various football stadiums in Scotland rely on the trade of travelling fans to stay afloat.
“Rather than being demonised, fans should be celebrated.”
We would like to provide the following statement on proposed new rules for supporters travelling to sporting events.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC)
Motherwell later promised to consult Well Society members before responding to the consultation document.
A club statement added: “We believe it is important that we encourage as many fans as possible to attend matches and to make the experience as enjoyable and welcoming as possible.”
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, criticised the proposals.
The Dundee United fan, who follows the Scotland national team abroad, wrote on social media: “Unworkable, unmanageable, unenforceable. Get it in the bin.
“The clubs these fans support can be a huge force for good more folk attend matches in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe. Celebrate them, don’t punish them.”
This would be a complete and utter waste of police time and resources. As someone who ran a supporters bus for 26 years and still regularly travels to away games via this avenue, it will simply not work – total madness.
— Alan Brown MP (@AlanBrownSNP)
Kilmarnock director and former Labour MSP Cathy Jamieson claimed the plans were “trying to solve problems that largely don’t exist and singling out football fans”.
Alan Brown, the SNP MP for Kilmarnock Loudon, and a Killie fan, said: “This would be a complete and utter waste of police time and resources. As someone who ran a supporters’ bus for 26 years and still regularly travels to away games via this avenue, it will simply not work – total madness.”
Gillian Mackay, the Green MSP for Central Scotland, wrote: “Supporters and football clubs should be celebrated for the excellent work they do to enhance their communities. These proposed measures are unwarranted, unworkable and out of touch. They should be scrapped immediately!”
