The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is calling for a more extensive application of Football Banning Orders (FBOs) to combat “unacceptable” conduct by a minority of fans at matches.
In a recent statement, the league highlighted concerns over “dangerous, irresponsible and selfish behaviour,” particularly the use of smoke bombs and flares.
The SPFL expressed its readiness for further discussions with Police Scotland and the Scottish government to enhance efforts to address these issues. The league also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Celtic, Aberdeen, and Partick Thistle due to the use of pyrotechnics by their supporters towards the end of the 2024-25 season.
This stance from the SPFL comes despite Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell’s stated desire to avoid a situation where supporters are banned solely for pyrotechnic use. Maxwell told BBC Sport Scotland, “You would absolutely never want to get to that stage and we need to look at the steps that we can take to avoid that.”
Football Banning Orders (FBOs), introduced in 2006, are civil orders typically imposed following a conviction for a football-related offense. They are designed to prevent violence and disorder (hooliganism) and can ban individuals from attending any football ground in the UK for up to 10 years. Recent data for Scotland showed a significant drop in FBOs issued, with only five between August and February of the current season, down from 37 in 2023-24. An expert working group has suggested that FBOs need to be broadened and modernized, with more flexibility, to be a stronger deterrent than club bans. The Scottish government plans to consult on revising the current FBO legislation to improve its effectiveness, particularly in response to pyrotechnic misuse, which became a criminal offense to possess at football matches in June 2023.
Despite the challenges posed by a minority, the SPFL noted a positive trend in overall attendance. For the third consecutive season, crowds across all leagues, cups, and play-off matches in Scotland rose, totaling over 5.3 million. This represents an increase of nearly 185,000 from the 2023-24 season, for which the SPFL thanked fans for their “incredible support.”
The league’s statement concluded by confirming that further meetings with key stakeholders are planned over the summer to review the past season and prepare for 2025-26. The SPFL reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday experience for players and supporters, emphasizing their vital role in the game.
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