Should football fans face a stadium ban for lighting up pyrotechnics? It's a controversial topic that has sparked debate among fans, authorities, and the Scottish government.
The Scottish government is currently considering expanding the reasons for which football fans can be banned from games. This includes not only violence and disorder but also the use of pyrotechnics and online abuse.
But here's the catch: Football Banning Orders (FBOs), which can restrict fans from attending games for up to 10 years, are currently only imposed for violent or disorderly conduct. The government wants to know if these bans should be extended to cover other offenses, like pyrotechnic use.
A consultation, led by Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, aims to gather opinions on this matter. The expert group advising the government includes football authorities, police, and government representatives.
So, how often are bans issued now? Police Scotland data reveals a significant decrease in the number of bans issued. Last season, only five bans were handed out in Scotland between August and February, down from 37 in the 2023/24 season and 59 in 2022/23.
Additionally, a 2023 law banning the possession of flares has been rarely enforced. The FBOs issued by the courts represent a small fraction of the requests made by the police.
For instance, in 2023/24, the police requested 226 FBOs for individuals found guilty by the courts. Over the last decade, a total of 504 FBOs have been issued across Scotland, with Rangers and Hibernian supporters leading the list. However, many of these bans relate to the pitch invasion incident after the 2016 Scottish Cup Final between the two clubs.
But how big of a problem are pyrotechnics, really? There has been a notable increase in pyrotechnic use at all levels of Scottish football in recent years. Rangers and Celtic faced reduced ticket allocations as a punishment for fan incidents involving pyrotechnics. Yet, football bosses admit they haven't quite figured out how to tackle this issue effectively.
Some supporters argue that pyrotechnics enhance the game atmosphere, but a fan survey suggests that most are not in favor of their use. Moreover, their misuse has led to serious injuries.
Is the current legislation sufficient? New legislation, making it a criminal offense to possess fireworks and flares at events like football matches, came into effect in June 2023. However, its effectiveness has been questioned by the Scottish government's working group on pyrotechnics.
The group noted that the law is "being used infrequently at football matches" and that "identifying and charging individuals who breach the legislation" is challenging. They also pointed out that the FBO legislation doesn't align well with pyrotechnics legislation.
What's the government's take on this? Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown emphasized that while most football fans are well-behaved and want to enjoy the game safely, the behavior of a small minority can put others at risk and spoil their enjoyment. She acknowledged that the law has been strengthened to tackle pyrotechnic misuse, with fines and prison sentences for those carrying fireworks and flares into stadiums.
However, pyrotechnic misuse at games remains an issue. Brown added that the FBO legislation, introduced in 2006, didn't consider the common use of flares at matches or harmful social media behavior associated with the game.
She stated: "While FBOs can already be imposed on conviction for pyrotechnics offenses involving violence or disorder, we want to hear from people whether the law needs to change so these orders could be used more widely for pyrotechnics possession and misuse - ultimately to become a more effective deterrent and keep people safe."
The consultation aims to gather opinions from various stakeholders, including football authorities, fans' groups, and justice partners. Minister Brown encourages anyone with an interest to share their views.
And this is the part most people miss: The debate around banning fans for pyrotechnic use raises questions about the balance between ensuring a safe and enjoyable game experience for all and respecting the passion and enthusiasm of football fans.
What do you think? Should football fans be banned from games for using pyrotechnics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
