Scotland's football clubs call for crackdown on pyro carrying hooligans
Football clubs are calling for tough new measures to combat the growing menace of flares being let off during games.
SCOTTISH football clubs have called for tougher action against fans caught bringing pyrotechnics into football grounds.
It comes after it was revealed only five football banning orders (FBOs) were handed out between August and February this season despite the widespread use of the toxic flares at stadiums.
A Scottish Government working group set up last year has now recommended that existing f football banning order be strengthened to tackle the growing problem of flares being set off at matches. Pyros can burn at temperatures of 3000C which can pose dangers to people nearby wearing flammable clothing.
Stuart Murphy, chief executive of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, believes more football banning orders would deter the use of pyrotechnics But he says that the clubs need to engage with fans' groups who are taking them into the grounds.
He added: "In the interests of safety we support a tightening up of the football banning orders. But there needs to be a better consultation with these groups." " The proposal is that any fan caught with a pyro or who sets one off is given an automatic ban from football grounds when they appear in court and are sentenced.
At present the imposition of any ban is at the discretion of a sheriff and not mandatory. Just five FBOs were issued between August and February this season. This is down from 37 in the 2023-24 season and 59 in 2022-23 and is a small percentage of those requested by the police.
Former Scottish Football Association security chief Peter McLaughlin says he has seen the problem get worse recently.
He said: "It's maybe going to take somebody to be seriously injured or killed by a pyro before the authorities sit up and take notice." Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell, lead for Operational Support, said: "Taking pyrotechnics into a sporting stadium is not only a criminal offence but also incredibly dangerous. Football banning orders can be instrumental in helping us keep fans, players and our communities safe." "
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A SPFL spokesperson said: "We welcome the increased use of FBOs as a deterrent to the use of these pyrotechnics in stadiums - they are illegal and have no place in our game." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We condemn the irresponsible and dangerous use of pyrotechnics."
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