- Improving match experience for all
Courts will be given tougher powers to impose Football Banning
Orders (FBOs) in Scotland to include specific offences in an
effort to improve the matchday experience and safety at games.
It comes as the analysis of a consultation on FBO legislation has
published.
There were 903 responses to the consultation, with organisations
such as the SFA, SPFL and Police Scotland supporting an extension
of the use of FBOs. Whilst a majority of fans who responded
expressed concerns about expanding FBOs, fans also raised concern
around the increase in the use of pyrotechnics and some reported
witnessing serious incidences of inappropriate behaviour.
In response, Ministers will introduce legislation in the Scottish
Parliament which will include targeted and specific measures to
strengthen FBOs to cover behaviour such as the use of
pyrotechnics, pitch invasions and throwing missiles.
Community Safety Minister said:
The vast majority of football fans attend matches to support
their team and are a credit to their clubs. However, a small
minority are compromising the fan experience and the safety of
players, officials and all in attendance through anti-social and
criminal behaviour.
Recent high profile incidents involving pitch invasions and the
continued use of pyrotechnics demonstrate the challenges the
police, football authorities and clubs face and have to deal
with. This is why we will give courts more effective powers
through Football Banning Orders to target dangerous and abusive
behaviour.
Football is our national sport, and we want to make sure it is a
safe and enjoyable environment for all and that is what we aim to
achieve by introducing legislation.
Background
Football Banning Orders were introduced in Scotland as part of
the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act
2006.
Currently in Scotland, an FBO is available to the courts when
three factors are present:
- A person is convicted of an offence which involved the person
engaging in violence or disorder';
- The offence was related to a football match; and
- The court considers that making an FBO would help prevent
violence or disorder' at or in connection with football matches
Football Banning Orders Analysis
of Consultation Responses - gov.scot
