Government presses for closing of FBO loophole
Legislation needed for UEFA final hooligans to be banned from matches in Scotland
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has written to the Home Secretary pressing for urgent action on football banning orders (FBOs), in the aftermath of the trouble which flared with Rangers supporters in Manchester after the UEFA Cup final this month.
Any FBOs imposed by the English courts on those involved would not have effect in Scotland under the current legislation, although an order imposed in Scotland would have effect throughout the UK.
Scottish Government officials have been working with the Home Office and Scotland Office to close the loophole, as is proposed through the Football Spectators and Sports Grounds Bill, currently before the Westminster parliament. However the bill, introduced in January, has yet to make any progress and Mr MacAskill has asked for it to be speeded up.
It is possible for Scottish police to use intelligence from matches played in England to support applications to the courts in Scotland for civil FBOs in respect of individuals resident in Scotland.
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