Scottish FA Chief Highlights Ongoing Challenge with Pyrotechnics

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell has acknowledged that “nobody has quite cracked” the issue of pyrotechnics at football matches, expressing his ambition to “eradicate” their use. Celtic, Motherwell, and Rangers were already under SPFL investigation due to displays that caused delays to kick-offs during the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals. A similar incident then occurred in Sunday’s final, which featured the two Glasgow clubs. Maxwell stated that the Scottish FA plans to consult its own rulebook to address the problem if it reoccurs during its Scottish Cup fixtures. However, he informed BBC Scotland: “We can’t just pin it on the clubs. It is a worldwide football problem. Everybody we speak to at Uefa is dealing with the same issues.” He continued, “Nobody has quite cracked how to deal with it yet, but it’s incumbent on ourselves, SPFL, Scottish Government, Police Scotland, to work together to try and find a solution, because it’s on the increase and it’s definitely unwelcome in Scottish football and we need to try and eradicate it.” Maxwell admitted that “it is difficult to stop” fans from bringing pyrotechnics into grounds but emphasized that “everybody can do better,” as these displays are detrimental to the game. He pointed out that the Scottish FA must operate within its own rulebook, which does not impose the strict liability on clubs that is enforced by the world governing body, Fifa. “The vast majority of people don’t want them at matches,” he said. “Fundamentally, they are unsafe and have a negative impact on people watching the game.” “We’re seeing kick-offs delayed. We are seeing numbers of people have to leave the stadium because of breathing difficulties,” he elaborated. “We’re now getting feedback from players about how much they are feeling it from the impact that it’s having on them.” When questioned about sectarian chanting at Sunday’s final at Hampden and reports of Rangers and Celtic ultras clashing in Glasgow, Maxwell responded: “Obviously, the disorder we saw at the weekend is unacceptable.” He clarified that their primary focus would be on incidents occurring inside the stadium, as that is the area over which they possess greater control.