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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
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." " Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inverclyde athlete realises long-held ambition with silver medal at prestigious race
AN Inverclyde athlete achieved a long-standing ambition at one of Scotland's most prestigious annual road race events. Inverclyde Athletic Club's Nynke Mulholland-Stummer secured a spot on the Scottish podium as a senior athlete at the 61st running of the Tom Scott Memorial Road Races. (Image: Peter McLaughlin) The event, held at Strathclyde Park, was hosted by Law & District Amateur Athletic Club (AAC), and incorporated the Scottish 10-Mile Road Race Championships. (Image: Bobby Gavin) After numerous fourth-place finishes over several years, Nynke claimed the silver medal this time round, to loud cheers from those from IAC who had travelled to Lanarkshire to support her. (Image: Peter McLaughlin) The race conditions were challenging, with a strong headwind making it difficult for the 500 athletes as they completed three laps around the loch. Annabel Simpson of Fife AC, competing in the race for the third time in four years, maintained a clear lead throughout. (Image: Bobby Gavin) Meanwhile, Nynke had to fend off a challenge from local athlete Emily McNicol, of Law & District AAC, from about the six-mile mark. Despite nearing the end of a heavy schedule in preparation for the London Marathon later this month, Nynke managed to hold off Emily in the closing stages, winning the silver medal by a margin of just one second. The race also saw the return of Meredith Reid after a two-year gap. (Image: Bobby Gavin) Her sixth place in the women's race is hoped to be the start of a strong autumn-winter season later this year. Another Inverclyde AC runner, John Bell finished 10th in the men's race. Though not yet back to full racing fitness and about 60 seconds off his personal best, John said this was a "breakthrough race". He added that this was the first race since last October where he finished "not in pain", and is now more confident to start pushing harder. (Image: Peter McLaughlin) John expressed his eagerness to participate in more future races. The current standard of competition was high, with Olympian Callum Hawkins finishing third, 10 seconds behind winner Scott Stirling of Falkirk Victoria Harriers, and four seconds behind Kevin Campbell of Cambuslang. The quality of the 2025 men's field was illustrated by the remarkable statistic that the times recorded by Kevin, Scott and Callum were the second, third and fourth fastest in the 61-year history of the race, with only Luke Traylor's 2018 winning time of 47 minutes and 59 seconds eclipsing this year's top three. An Inverclyde AC spokesperson said: "Many thanks to Law & District AAC and their volunteers for hosting this successful race and to the officials from Scottish athletics who give freely of their time and expertise to ensure that races like this can take place. Inverclyde AC, accredited with Active Schools Inverclyde, offers a variety of activities and sessions for both juniors and seniors and is supported by Diodes Inc, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Inverclyde Warm Hands of Friendship, Oak Tree Housing, Smiths of Greenock, Succession Wealth, and Tesco Stronger Starts.
