Meeting of the Parliament 11 November 2025
Very simply, the cafe would be asked to conduct its business in another location, which obviously would not be prime to its business interests, and it would be dislocated on the basis of UEFA’s commercial interests. We should recognise that. We should not lose sight of what the bill is, in effect.
The enforcement regime that is set out in sections 16 to 28 grants to designated enforcement officers, who might include local authority staff or contractors, powers to enter and search premises, vehicles or stalls to seize or conceal goods and to use reasonable force. That is a serious departure from normal practice. Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, entry without warrant is permitted only for immediate risk to public safety. Under the bill, it would be exercised to protect branding rights.
I accept the Government’s argument that UEFA requires a rapid enforcement mechanism, but the absence of judicial oversight fits uneasily with the long-established protections of property and due process in Scots law. Unless UEFA can demonstrate that a warrant requirement would breach its hosting criteria, those powers should be curtailed.
We will support the bill at stage 1 because, without it, Scotland cannot host Euro 2028, and we all want Scotland to host Euro 2028. However, we support the bill on the clear understanding that the Government must look more closely at tightening the enforcement provisions to restore warrant safeguards, press UEFA to contribute to a compensation scheme for displaced traders and work with the UK Government to deliver consistent ticket-touting regulation across these islands.
Euro 2028 will be a proud moment for Scotland but, as we welcome the world, let us uphold our principles: fairness, accountability, the rule of law and respect for enterprise.
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