Should football fans be banned from games for using pyrotechnics?

"The Scottish government is considering whether to extend powers to ban football fans from games for offences like using pyrotechnics and online abuse. Currently Football Banning Orders (FBOs) are only imposed if supporters are involved in violence or disorder - they enable the authorities to stop fans attending games anywhere in the UK for 10 years. But the Scottish government is launching a consultation on Monday to seek views on whether bans should be given out for other reasons."

"The consultation, being launched by Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, was informed by an expert group which included football authorities, the Scottish government and police. Police Scotland data released earlier this year showed that just five bans were issued in Scotland between August and February last season. This was down from 37 in the 2023/24 season and 59 in 2022/23. Meanwhile a 2023 law banning possession of flares has been used infrequently."

"The FBOs issued by the courts represent a fraction of those the force had requested. For example, in 2023/24 they asked for 226 FBOs to be issued if the person they arrested was found guilty by the courts. A total of 504 FBOs have been issued in the last decade across Scotland with Rangers and Hibernian supporters topping the table, although many of these relate to convictions for the pitch invasion after the 2016 Scottish Cup Final between the two clubs."

"There has been an increased use of pyrotechnics at all levels of Scottish football in recent years. Rangers and Celtic were hit with a cut in future ticket allocations as punishment for incidents involving their fans but football bosses admit "nobody has quite cracked" how to deal with the issue. Some supporters say pyros have improved the atmosphere at games, although one survey of fans suggests that most are not in favour of them. Their use has also led to serious injuries."

The Scottish government is considering extending Football Banning Orders to cover offences such as using pyrotechnics and online abuse. FBOs currently apply only for violence or disorder and can bar fans from UK matches for up to 10 years. A consultation will seek views after input from an expert group including football authorities and police. Police Scotland recorded only five bans between August and February last season, down from previous seasons. Courts issued far fewer FBOs than police requested. Pyrotechnic use has risen, causing injuries and sanctions for clubs, while flare-possession laws are used infrequently.

Read at www.bbc.com