SNP and Green politicians have joined forces to call for Scotland football matches to be shown on free-to-air TV.
Greens MSP Gillian Mackay and SNP MP Gavin Newlands have been making their case outside Hampden Park in Glasgow with World Cup winner Rose Reilly, following the launch of a change.org campaign insisting Scotland’s matches should not be on subscription-only channels.
The petition – run by the Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) – states Scotland is one of only seven countries in Europe without free access to national football games on TV.
Mackay and Newlands held up placards outside the national stadium displaying messages such as “Scotland’s games should belong to the people” and “our kids should grow up watching their national heroes”.
Newlands said: “I’m delighted to help launch the campaign today alongside fans and colleagues across the political spectrum.
“What is clear is that while there is no magic wand or silver bullet to get Scotland men’s games out from behind a paywall, we have to continue to work together – fans, governing bodies, broadcasters and administrators – to see what can be done to open up these games to as wide an audience as possible.
“We have the double fortune to have qualified for Euro 2024 and to see every game live on free TV – and the next generation of fans and players will have the chance to become hooked in the game in same way those of us of an older generation were transfixed by finals in places like Spain, Mexico and Italy.
“This weekend, Wales and England supporters are able to watch their team on free TV, while Scotland games are behind a paywall. I want a solution that gives the next generation the chance to watch their heroes while protecting investment in grassroots football and ensuring both our senior national teams are available to all, and I’ll continue fighting for that solution.”
Scottish fans have become increasingly frustrated that England games are shown live on ITV/STV or Channel 4 while Scotland games are only shown on Viaplay, which costs £9.99 a month.
Many fans will have missed out on a thrilling game in Georgia on Thursday night, when Lawrence Shankland clinched a stoppage time equaliser as the European qualification campaign draws to a close for Steve Clarke’s men.
Scotland are due to play Norway at Hampden in the final game of the European qualifiers on Sunday.
Mackay said: “Scotland are coming to the end of a historic qualification campaign, beating the likes of Spain and Norway along the way. Yet all eight of those games were hidden behind a paywall.
“Our national team is for all of us, and the whole nation should get to share in their success. But at the moment so many are being priced out during a cost-of-living crisis.
“It isn’t the norm across Europe, and it shouldn’t be the norm in Scotland."
The petition – which has so far gathered nearly 200 signatures – cites a recent survey which showed 99% of Scotland fans think games should be on free TV while 96% think more children would take part in football if they would watch national games.
