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Scottish Football Association Tightens Rules on Fan Behaviour, Seeks Government and Court Support

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has updated its cup rules to bring them more in line with Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) regulations, with a focus on crowd behaviour. The new rules face greater liability on clubs if fans misbehave at Scottish Gas Scottish Cup matches. This move follows the SPFL's adoption of stricter rules for the Premier Sports Cup, which led to Celtic, Rangers, and Motherwell being sanctioned for pyrotechnic displays. SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing fan behaviour, including working with government, courts, police, and stewarding teams.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SFA has updated its cup rules to bring them more in line with SPFL regulations, focusing on crowd behaviour.
  • Clubs face greater liability if fans misbehave at Scottish Gas Scottish Cup matches.
  • The SFA's new rules follow the SPFL's adoption of stricter rules for the Premier Sports Cup, which led to Celtic, Rangers, and Motherwell being sanctioned for pyrotechnic displays.
  • SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, including working with government, courts, police, and stewarding teams to address fan behaviour.
  • Maxwell highlighted the importance of education in reducing fan misbehaviour, particularly among younger supporters.
  • The SFA is discussing measures with the Scottish Government to change the legislation related to pyrotechnic use and fan misbehaviour.
  • Maxwell defended the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology, stating that its accuracy has improved and that it is here to stay.

Statistics:

  • Three-fifths of respondents to a survey by the Well Society, the majority shareholder of supporter-owned Motherwell, stated that VAR has made their matchday experience "significantly worse".
  • The SFA has seen hundreds of thousands of fans attending matches each week.
  • Maxwell expressed concerns about the effects of pyrotechnic use on fans, including those with breathing difficulties and children who are frightened.

Sources:

  • The Scottish Sun (no date)
  • SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell

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