BURNING ISSUE: 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.

Siobhan Brown, Community Safety Minister

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.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has drawn up plans to ban football fans from attending matches if they are found to have made “hateful” comments online. SNP Ministers are looking at making changes to football banning orders (FBOs) and extending their use to cover more crimes and incidents.

They were originally brought in to crackdown on violence and disorder at games or in the lead-up to them and afterwards back in 2006 when hooliganism was rife north of the border. But the legislation hasn’t been updated since then, with new rules being explored.