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.'
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