A LEGAL loophole which allows football hooligans banned in England to attend games in Scotland is to be closed.
Jim Murphy, who this week took over as Scottish Secretary, yesterday revealed on his internet blog that the UK government would bring in laws ensuring that banning orders south of the Border would also apply in Scotland.
The problem was highligh
ted when a number of Rangers fans went on the rampage in Manchester during the club's Uefa Cup final defeat earlier this year. Five supporters were given football banning orders in England, but Strathclyde Police needed further legal action to ensure the restrictions applied in Scotland.
Mr Murphy, in a further sign of his wish to seize the political agenda after offering talks with the SNP on the economic crisis, said he had agreed with the Home Office that banning orders would apply UK-wide.
"This is an important step that will help us put an end to the sort of inexcusable football-related disorder we saw in Manchester in May," he said.
The orders prevent fans from attending games in the UK and abroad and last for at least three years. They will prevent 3,130 fans with banning orders in England and Wales from attending games in Scotland. There are 24 banning orders in force in Scotland.
Rangers FC said the move was a "positive development". Head of security Kenny Scott said: "Hooligans who take advantage of the loophole which exists in the law will now find themselves subject to UK wide bans no matter which country they are convicted in."
The Scottish Football Association said: " There is no point in banning known troublemakers from football matches in England and Wales and that order not applying up here in Scotland."
The full article contains 298 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
