Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 March 2026 [Draft]
10 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Topical Question Time
Football-related Disorder (Glasgow)
I associate myself with the minister’s comment in that, from what I could see, the police and the stewards handled things well once the problems had started. However, we have to look further than that.
My colleague James Dornan has frequently raised the issue of strict liability. I wonder whether the Government would consider introducing that; I feel that, over the years, it has dragged its heels on doing so. Fans do not want it, and the clubs do not want it, but, as happens in European competitions, clubs should surely take some responsibility for the behaviour of their fans.
In the same item of business
2. John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind)
Ind
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with football authorities concerning the recent deplorable fan behaviour after the match bet...
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Siobhian Brown)
SNP
I join John Mason in condemning the appalling behaviour of those who invaded the pitch and acted in a violent and disorderly manner, ruining what had otherwi...
John Mason
Ind
The minister used the word “prevent”, which is important. The police said that some individuals had “armed themselves” before coming into the stadium—so, cle...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Yes, absolutely. However, it is quite complex to find hidden masks or pyrotechnics, for example, when people enter stadiums. Those are the sorts of challenge...
John Mason
Ind
I associate myself with the minister’s comment in that, from what I could see, the police and the stewards handled things well once the problems had started....
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Our preferred solution has always been that football should proactively shape and deliver a robust and meaningful solution to tackle unacceptable conduct by ...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
The behaviour of some fans after Sunday’s match between Celtic and Rangers was completely unacceptable. Does the minister agree that all fans must exercise p...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Yes, of course—just as everyone has a responsibility to behave appropriately and in line with the law, no matter where they are. Just because they are at a f...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Reform)
Reform
The scenes at the match were absolutely horrific. It was not just the pitch invasion; we saw scenes of fans bursting through a disabled access point, there w...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
As I said, I spoke to the SFA and the SPFL this morning, when the SFA confirmed that it would be speaking to both clubs to establish the facts of Sunday’s ev...