Scottish Green Party Wants Clubs On Sale To Be Made Available To Fans First

Football supporters "could be first in line to buy their clubs if they are put up for sale under a proposal" by the Scottish Greens political party, according to the HERALD SCOTLAND. The party wants "fan groups to be given first refusal on any sales to make clubs more representative of communities and to prevent them becoming 'an extension of their owners' egos.'" Under current right-to-buy laws, "rural groups have the right to buy their land" and the Greens want to "bring an amendment to the Scottish Government's forthcoming Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill to extend it to supporters' groups." Scottish Greens Member of Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone said, "Scottish football continues to be beset by financial and organizational problems. Long-suffering fans deserve responsible owners, and it's increasingly understood that fans themselves are the best stewards of their own clubs. It's time to give a red card to the mismanagement from the people" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 8/4).