Hansard

We have reached the stage 3 debate on the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill, and it is right to recognise that a lot of work has been done on this very short bill. There has been serious and detailed scrutiny at stages 1, 2 and 3. As has been acknowledged, it has all been constructive and the minister has engaged in the process in good faith. That is the way to make good law in a Parliament. As members will expect, the Conservatives will certainly not oppose the bill at this stage; we will support its passage.

However, before I turn to the wider significance of Euro 2028, I want to place something clearly on the parliamentary record, with your indulgence, Presiding Officer. At stage 3, amendment 4, in my name, which sought to extend the charity auction exemption to community-controlled bodies, community councils and schools, was not debated. That was the result of my error during the submission process. I take full responsibility for that mistake. The Presiding Officer’s decision not to admit the amendment as a manuscript amendment was taken in accordance with the rules of the Parliament. I respect that decision entirely. Nevertheless, I wish to put it on the official record that I regret very much that the Parliament did not have the opportunity to consider again the substance of the amendment. Its purpose was straightforward and practical.

In our constituencies and regions, community groups, parent councils, school-connected organisations and all kinds of other local good causes have, for many years, used donated tickets to major sporting events as raffle prizes or auction items to raise funds. That is not sharp practice or exploitation; it is a long-standing and widely understood feature of community life in Scotland. My concern remains that, notwithstanding the bill’s intentions, there is a risk that such groups could unwittingly find themselves on the wrong side of the law if they continue what has been common practice for decades. Those are not commercial touts; they are volunteers, parents and local organisers who are raising money for school trips, uniforms, community facilities, football strips and charitable causes.

Having said that, I now turn to Euro 2028’s importance as a global sporting event. There can be no doubt about that, and I agree with the minister on it, but the event is also important for Scotland. It will be watched by hundreds of millions—perhaps I am underestimating that number—and Scotland has the privilege of hosting part of it. As the minister is right to say, although there is still a bit of work to be done to qualify, let us be optimistic that there will be a Scotland team in that tournament, and I hope that the team will play in our national stadium.

Being the host of such an event brings obligations. I have elucidated my concerns about the nature of the way in which UEFA and, indeed, other global organisations do their business, but setting that aside, it is an opportunity to present Scotland in the best possible light. We are undoubtedly a welcoming country, and we take pride in that reputation. We are a capable host and a nation that is confident in itself—and rightly so.

It is also an opportunity to unite the chamber, and any opportunity for us to act in a united way is to be embraced. There is a shared hope that Scotland’s men’s team will qualify, as I said a moment ago, that Scottish players will take the field and that we will have our home team to cheer on. Football matters in Scotland. There was an excellent debate last night, which was brought to the chamber by George Adam, who provided us with his customary entertaining but also passionate exhortation for football and its importance to communities and our country.

Football is such an important part of our history, our culture and our shared identity. We invented the modern game. When I was the MP for Stirling, I used to be proud to mention, whenever I could, that we had the world’s oldest football in the Stirling Smith art gallery and museum. Football is part of our national DNA.

I mentioned that we invented the modern game. There is no doubt that the Scottish interpretation of football is what now shapes the world’s thinking about football. We are the country of Bill Shankly, of Jock Stein, of Walter Smith and of Matt Busby. If members will forgive all those generational references—they are in the context of my generation—we are also the country of great figures such as Billy McNeill and John Greig, towering figures who have shaped generations of players and supporters. We celebrate Jimmy Johnstone and Davie Cooper, players who entertained and embodied imagination and the joy of football. We remember Jim Baxter casually playing keepie-up at Wembley in 1967. If we were not alive then, we will have seen the video.