SPFL Trust launches course to educate fans on the dangers of pyrotechnics in Scottish football

A new education project has been launched with the aim of educating football supporters about the dangers of pyrotechnics at matches.

The initiative is designed to tackle the rise in the use of flares and fireworks in Scottish football after a number of incidents over the past couple of seasons have seen clubs fined and had ticket allocations cut after fan use of ‘pyro’.

The SPFL trust, a charity representing all 42 league clubs, has developed a programme that will be aimed at supporters who have previously used pyrotechnics, and will also educate younger supporters.

Shaped by Dr Tom Smith, an expert who has written UEFA reports on the danger of pyrotechnics, the course includes testimony from a senior hospital consultant who treated a fan who suffered serious hand injuries caused by a pyrotechnic device outside a Scottish football ground.

Funded by the Scottish FA, SPFL and Scottish Government, the programme is being rolled out after successful pilots and also includes input from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Community Justice Scotland, PFA Scotland, Football Safety Officers’ Association Scotland, healthcare professionals from Medics Against Violence, and fan organisation Supporters Direct Scotland, as well as football clubs across the country.

SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie believes the scheme, understood to be the first of its kind in Europe, can make a real impact in tackling the use of pyro at stadiums.

“We’re incredibly proud of the passion and continued loyalty shown by supporters across Scotland, which makes our league by some distance the highest attended per capita in Europe.

“But we’ve also been clear that the use of pyrotechnics at games are a growing concern for clubs, players and many supporters, and we’re committed to addressing this issue.

“We supported this initiative as we believe this programme can play an important part in reducing incidents of pyrotechnics across the league and help make football safer for everyone who loves our game.”

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive, said: “We fully support this important education initiative, which will help reinforce the message that pyrotechnics are not only dangerous but illegal and, as such, they have no place inside Scottish football stadiums.

“The safety of players, match officials and supporters is paramount, and the rising use of pyrotechnics in stadiums continues to present serious risks.”

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: “Using pyrotechnics such as flares and fireworks at matches is incredibly dangerous, as well as being illegal. We welcome this pioneering new education programme to raise football fans’ awareness of those dangers.

“We have also committed to publishing a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches.”