An SNP MP has slammed Douglas Ross' "hypocrisy" after the Scots Tory leader criticised Humza Yousaf for calling on the UK Government to make Scotland football games free-to-air.
Ross accused Yousaf of "trying to use Scotland's win over Spain for political gain" after the First Minister said the match wasn't free-to-air because "the UK Government failed to act".
But Ross asked the UK Government to act as part of a report from the Scottish Affair Committee, which he sits on.
Scotland games are currently shown on Viaplay, while England and Wales matches are shown on Channel 4 and S4C for free.
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Newlands said Ross had "chosen to carry out a cheap political stunt over finding a solution for supporters.
“The First Minister has rightly called on the UK government to take a look at this matter as it is up to them to decide which sporting events are classified as a listed event. It is sheer hypocrisy for Douglas Ross to criticise that demand despite him making the exact same calls little over a month ago.
“We are used to Douglas Ross flip-flopping but this tops the lot after he seems to have changed his mind in a matter of weeks. I hope he can reply to me shortly to clarify his position.
“Meanwhile, I have called for major broadcasters, Scottish and UK ministers and the SFA to get round the table and work out a solution so Scotland fans can watch one of the best teams we have seen in decades and not be shut out by a paywall.”
The Scottish Affairs Committee report from early March said that Scotland fans should be able to watch more of their games on free-to-air television.
Ross said at the time: "Scots are keen to see their national team in action but all too often are priced out of doing so.
"While it was welcome that calls to show these games on free-to-air channels intensified when Scotland had a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, it shouldn't be a one-off.
"I hope the UK government listens to the calls from the cross-party group of MPs on this committee. They should explore all avenues to ensure that as many fans as possible - who are not able to be at Hampden in person - can cheer on at home."
After Scotland beat Spain 2-0, Yousaf said during First Minister's Questions: “Women and men’s Scottish football international matches should be part of the crown jewels of free-to-air sporting events. But sadly, of course, the UK Government have failed to act.”
He said he would “press the UK Government to expand the listed events regime”.
While Uefa are responsible for TV rights, it is the UK Government which decided if events are listed or not.
Ross said after Yousaf's comments: “Humza Yousaf’s FMQs debut kicked off with a clear own goal.
“He’s tried the age-old Nationalist tactic of using Scotland internationals as a political football.
“Rather than trying to give a red card to the UK Government, he should have directed his grievances in a different direction.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “As things stand – and as Humza Yousaf must have known at FMQs – football’s governing bodies decide which broadcasters they sell televised rights to, not the UK Government.
“The Scottish Affairs Committee, which Douglas is a member of, took evidence from a number of witnesses and asked the UK Government to do what it can to make Scotland matches free to air, but the report specifically mentioned the Scottish FA as the rights holders.
“If Humza Yousaf had done his homework before trying to come up with a grievance with Westminster, he would have known this too.”
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