Latest news with #SPFL
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Jack McConnell backs SPFL's alcohol trial scheme as 'long overdue' booze ban rethink
McConnell, Scotland's former first minister, said temporary scheme allowing pints to be sold at stadiums this month could usher in 'new era'. Former First Minister Jack McConnell has hailed a trial of alcohol at Scottish football games as 'long overdue'. Labour peer Lord McConnell, who served in Scotland's highest office from 2001-2007, said an SPFL pilot scheme this month could usher in a 'new era' by allowing fans to enjoy a beer in stadiums for the first time in 45 years. Seven Scottish clubs have signed up to the trial enabling match-going supporters to buy pints at select League Cup ties. A blanket ban was imposed on alcohol at football matches in 1981 after a riot at the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers fans, But many football supporters have long criticised the prohibition as heavy-handed and discriminatory against predominantly working-class Scots - while rugby fans are permitted to enjoy a drink at Murrayfield, the country's largest stadium . McConnell, who was elevated to the House of Lords in 2010 by Gordon Brown, welcomed the temporary rules change but warned fans had to prove they could behave responsibly. He told the Sunday Mail: 'This change is long overdue. Football fans can be just as responsible as those who enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine while watching rugby or cricket. 'Recent pilot schemes show that supporters can be trusted. But a change in the law cannot be a free pass to return to the scenes of the past.' Stirling Albion, Arbroath and Partick Thistle are among the teams to have opened up their stadium concourse for booze sales this month - a normal feature at games in England and Wales. However, despite sanctioning the pilot scheme, First Minister John Swinney has previously said he is 'not sympathetic' to changing the law. McConnell, who as FM cracked down on sectarianism which he branded 'Scotland's secret shame', added: 'A new code of conduct for clubs, with zero tolerance of sectarianism, racism, homophobia and violence across all levels of the game, as a condition for relaxation of the law, could be the quid pro quo that ensures the freedom to drink again is a step forward.' 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. However, public health experts have warned the move is a backwards step. Aidan Collins, of charity Alcohol Focus Scotland, warned Scotland is 'in the grip of an alcohol crisis' with deaths at a 15-year high. He said: 'This is not the time to start dismantling protective measures we have in place. 'Even without alcohol on general sale in stadiums we still see violent disorder during or immediately after football matches in Scotland, as well as spikes in domestic violence. 'Increasing the availability of alcohol would only add fuel to those fires.' Clubs involved in the SPFL trial said it had so far been successful and well received by fans, with cops confirming no arrests or disorder had resulted at any of the fixtures involved. Partick Thistle will offer beer on the concourse at Firhill on Tuesday when they take on Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup, with St Mirren and Dunfermine Athletic following suit at ties this weekend against Ayr United and Stirling Albion. Police Scotland said: 'We continue to work closely with both football clubs and partners and ensure an appropriate policing plan is in place to maintain public safety.'
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints leave it late - Premier Sports Cup round-up
St Johnstone left it late to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle and stay in touch with leaders East Kilbride in Premier Sports Cup Group F. After an injury ravaged debut season in Perth last term, Uche Ikpeazu scored his first Saints goal in the 90th minute to settle the match. The 1-0 win followed last week's 3-1 defeat of East Kilbride, who have bounced back with successive wins. The SPFL newcomers followed Tuesday's 4-2 win at Raith Rovers with a 4-1 win away to League 2 rivals Elgin City. Jack Leitch struck twice in the opening 21 minutes and Jack Maciver reduced Elgin's deficit with a penalty before half-time. Nathan Flanagan netted from close range and John Robertson added another from outside the area to round off the visitors' victory. Raith and Inverness are both on three points and, like Saints, have two games to play while East Kilbride and Elgin have one fixture left. Three top-flight sides - Livingston, Motherwell and St Mirren - picked up wins while Falkirk took a bonus point but Dundee's second straight loss likely has them heading out of the competition at an early stage. Dundee on verge of cup exit after loss at Alloa Mandron treble as St Mirren put eight past Annan O'Donnell goal earns Motherwell narrow win at Stenhousemuir Group A Falkirk took a bonus point with a penalty shootout win over Cove Rangers following a 0-0 draw. In the group's other fixture, League 2 Spartans beat Highland League Brechin City 2-0 with a goal in each half. Mark Stowe struck the first and a Cillian Sheridan own goal sealed the hosts' win. League 2 Spartans lead Falkirk by a point at the top of the group while Cove are a point below the Bairns and a point above Queen's Park. Spartans and pointless Brechin have one game left, their group rivals all having two matches to play. Group B Ross County moved above Queen of the South into second with victory at Palmerston. Jay Henderson struck the only goal and County trail Partick Thistle by two points and sit a point above Queens and Edinburgh City. The top three all have two games to play. Edinburgh took the bonus point from their penalty shootout with Stranraer after no goals in 90 minutes, the hosts prevailing 5-3 on spot-kicks. Group C League 1 Alloa Athletic lead the standings with nine points out of nine after stunning Dundee 1-0. Another third-tier side, Montrose, were 4-1 winners over Lowland League Bonnyrigg Rose. Kallum Higginbotham put Bonnyrigg ahead from close range on the stroke of half-time. That was cancelled out by Corrie Fellows' own goal early in the second period and Ewan Loudon put Montrose in front for the first time. Terry Masson and Craig Wighton added further goals for the hosts. Montrose trail second-placed Airdrieonians by three points, with Alloa three points clear of the Diamonds. Airdrie, Montrose and Dundee all have two more games to play while Alloa and pointless Bonnyrigg have one. Group D In the all-Championship tie, Ayr United beat Arbroath 4-0. Curtis Main scored either side of the break and Jude Bonnar and George Oakley added late strikes. St Mirren lead the group by a point after an 8-2 win over Annan Athletic. Second-placed Ayr hold a four-point cushion over Forfar Athletic and Arbroath, who are both a point above Annan. The Buddies and Annan have one game left with the other three teams in the group still to play twice. Livingston beat Brora to draw level with Killie Falkirk beat Cove on penalties for bonus point Group E Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic picked up their first points with an emphatic 4-0 away win over Dumbarton. Josh Cooper opened and completed the scoring, with Chris Kane and Andrew Tod on target in between. Group G Clyde scored twice in added time to defeat Peterhead. The hosts had led with eight minutes of regulation time to play through Kieran Shanks' penalty but Craig Howie headed the visitors level in the 96th minute and a Caleb Goldie own goal two minutes later gave Clyde victory. Leaders Motherwell won 1-0 at Stenhousemuir and they are two points above Greenock Morton, who in turn are two points above Clyde with Peterhead and Stenny yet to register a point. Well and Peterhead have one game left and the other three sides have two group fixtures remaining. Group H East Fife drew level on points with League 1 rivals Kelty Hearts with a 1-0 win at New Central Park, courtesy of Alan Trouten's solitary second-half goal. Premiership Livingston beat Highland League Brora Rangers 2-0. Kilmarnock and Livi sit on six points while Kelty and the Fifers are on three points with Brora Rangers bottom without a point. Livi and Brora have one game left while Kilmarnock, Kelty and East Fife have two games to play.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Saints leave it late - Premier Sports Cup round-up
St Johnstone left it late to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle and stay in touch with leaders East Kilbride in Premier Sports Cup Group an injury ravaged debut season in Perth last term, Uche Ikpeazu scored his first Saints goal in the 90th minute to settle the 1-0 win followed last week's 3-1 defeat of East Kilbride, who have bounced back with successive SPFL newcomers followed Tuesday's 4-2 win at Raith Rovers with a 4-1 win away to League 2 rivals Elgin Leitch struck twice in the opening 21 minutes and Jack Maciver reduced Elgin's deficit with a penalty before Flanagan netted from close range and John Robertson added another from outside the area to round off the visitors' and Inverness are both on three points and, like Saints, have two games to play while East Kilbride and Elgin have one fixture top-flight sides - Livingston, Motherwell and St Mirren - picked up wins while Falkirk took a bonus point but Dundee's second straight loss likely has them heading out of the competition at an early stage. Group A Falkirk took a bonus point with a penalty shootout win over Cove Rangers following a 0-0 the group's other fixture, League 2 Spartans beat Highland League Brechin City 2-0 with a goal in each Stowe struck the first and a Cillian Sheridan own goal sealed the hosts' 2 Spartans lead Falkirk by a point at the top of the group while Cove are a point below the Bairns and a point above Queen's and pointless Brechin have one game left, their group rivals all having two matches to play. Group B Ross County moved above Queen of the South into second with victory at Henderson struck the only goal and County trail Partick Thistle by two points and sit a point above Queens and Edinburgh City. The top three all have two games to took the bonus point from their penalty shootout with Stranraer after no goals in 90 minutes, the hosts prevailing 5-3 on spot-kicks. Group C League 1 Alloa Athletic lead the standings with nine points out of nine after stunning Dundee third-tier side, Montrose, were 4-1 winners over Lowland League Bonnyrigg Higginbotham put Bonnyrigg ahead from close range on the stroke of was cancelled out by Corrie Fellows' own goal early in the second period and Ewan Loudon put Montrose in front for the first Masson and Craig Wighton added further goals for the trail second-placed Airdrieonians by three points, with Alloa three points clear of the Diamonds. Airdrie, Montrose and Dundee all have two more games to play while Alloa and pointless Bonnyrigg have one. Group D In the all-Championship tie, Ayr United beat Arbroath Main scored either side of the break and Jude Bonnar and George Oakley added late Mirren lead the group by a point after an 8-2 win over Annan Athletic. Second-placed Ayr hold a four-point cushion over Forfar Athletic and Arbroath, who are both a point above Buddies and Annan have one game left with the other three teams in the group still to play twice. Group E Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic picked up their first points with an emphatic 4-0 away win over Cooper opened and completed the scoring, with Chris Kane and Andrew Tod on target in between. Group G Clyde scored twice in added time to defeat hosts had led with eight minutes of regulation time to play through Kieran Shanks' penalty but Craig Howie headed the visitors level in the 96th minute and a Caleb Goldie own goal two minutes later gave Clyde Motherwell won 1-0 at Stenhousemuir and they are two points above Greenock Morton, who in turn are two points above Clyde with Peterhead and Stenny yet to register a and Peterhead have one game left and the other three sides have two group fixtures remaining. Group H East Fife drew level on points with League 1 rivals Kelty Hearts with a 1-0 win at New Central Park, courtesy of Alan Trouten's solitary second-half Livingston beat Highland League Brora Rangers and Livi sit on six points while Kelty and the Fifers are on three points with Brora Rangers bottom without a and Brora have one game left while Kilmarnock, Kelty and East Fife have two games to play.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aberdeen's Tannadice trip postponed & Dundee derbies televised
Aberdeen have exercised their right to postpone their Premiership match against Dundee United, which fell in between the two legs of their Europa League play-off. Jimmy Thelin's side were due to travel to Tannadice on Saturday, 23 August but have successfully requested it be postponed after the SPFL board agreed the rule change in April. Previously, postponements had to be agreed by both clubs, but now a team playing in Europe can unilaterally delay a game. The Dons will learn their European opponents on 4 August, while the new date of their match against United will be decided once the European league phase draws are confirmed. Meanwhile, the first two Dundee derbies of the league season are to be televised. Premier Sports will show the first at Dens Park on Sunday, 31 August (kick-off 14:00 BST) then the New Year derby at Tannadice will be on Sky Sports on Saturday, 3 January (15:00 GMT).
STV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Dundee United v Aberdeen postponed as Dons utilise new SPFL rule
Dundee United's Premiership match against Aberdeen has been postponed after the Pittodrie club exercised their right to move the game. A new SPFL rule, introduced to help Scottish clubs succeed in UEFA competitions, allows Premiership sides to request the postponement of one match ahead of any play-off round second leg games. Aberdeen's Scottish Cup triumph ensured they go straight into the play-off round of the Europa League and they have taken advantage of the new regulations to plan their preparations. Our match away to Dundee Utd on Saturday 23rd August has been postponed due to our involvement in the UEFA Europa League Play-off round. The reverse fixture at Pittodrie on Saturday 27th December has been selected for live coverage on Premier Sports, kick-off 5.45pm. — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) July 18, 2025 The postponement could also benefit United if Jim Goodwin's side are successful in progressing to the play-off round of the Conference League. The Tannadice side begin qualification against Una Strassen next Thursday. Two further fixtures could be postponed as the SPFL confirmed matches that have been selected for television coverage and revealed there could be changes to their schedule. Falkirk v Hibernian has been chosen by Premier Sports for live coverage on Saturday August 23 but Hibernian have already requested a postponement if they reach the play-off stages of the Europa League or Conference League. Sky Sports have selected St Mirren v Rangers for live broadcast in round three. The details of that fixture will be confirmed when it is clear what UEFA competition Rangers will be participating in at the time. Celtic will also be entitled to postpone their match against Livingston ahead of the Champions League play-off. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
