MP calls for fan-led review into Scottish football governance

Scottish football should be included in a fan-led review of football conducted by the UK Government, the shadow Scottish secretary has said.

The Conservative government has made a commitment to carry out a fan-led review in England, focused on the governance of the sport.

Labour MP Ian Murray has called for that review to be widened to include the game north of the border, saying that “serious issues” exist in Scotland.

Murray, who represents Edinburgh South and was previously on the board of Hearts after helping to save the club from administration, has written to UK sport minister Nigel Huddlestone to ask him to consider widening the scope of the review.

The MP said that including Scotland would be “of huge benefit” to supporters.

His comments come after a controversial end to the 2019/20 season because of the coronavirus, with the subsequent relegation of Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer resulting in clubs and the league appearing in court and the dispute being referred to arbitration.

Murray said: “The overwhelming majority of football fans in Scotland feel alienated by how the game is run, and it is little wonder after the debacle of recent months.

“There are clearly serious issues with how football is governed in Scotland.

“The UK and Scottish governments should work together to allow fans in Scotland the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of Scottish football.”