by Bill Heaney
All of Scotland’s World Cup matches in Mexico, the USA and Canada should be screened free on “council telly” next summer, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor told the Scottish Parliament today.
First Minister John Swinney, who was at Hampden for the national team’s sensational win over Denmark on Tuesday night, instantly agreed.Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) told parliament: “People across Scotland were able to watch the national men’s football team’s historic and amazing victory on free-to-air television, because of a successful campaign by many of us in the Scottish National Party and across the political spectrum.
“As the current broadcasting arrangement comes to an end, people risk being shut out of future successes and of nights like that one.
“Will the First Minister put his weight behind the campaign to keep Scotland’s international games free to air and will he raise the matter with the United Kingdom Government, broadcasters and football authorities, to ensure that all future “no Scotland, no party” matches are on terrestrial television and available to everyone?”
Mr Swinney told MSPs, all of whom were in agreement: “I agree with Fulton MacGregor’s point and recognise the importance of there being free-to-air television access for matches of that nature. I will be happy to ensure that ministers support and take forward Mr MacGregor’s representations.
“The Scottish Government has long called for national sporting events, such as men’s and women’s football qualifiers, to be protected for free-to-air broadcast.
“We will continue to make that case on behalf of fans across the country.
“It is a matter of enormous significance that all of us were able to experience the joyful scenes at Hampden.
“It should be free for members of the public to be able to see those events.”
And so it should.
Top of page: Local boys done good – Scott McTominay and John McGinn were among the Scotland stars.
The fact it was cooncil telly was great, the UK & beyond were watching us.
Hopefully we get drawn to play in Canada, they’ll be like home games.
Well done Scotland !