Fans "delivered a damning verdict" on the Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League -- claiming they are "less trustworthy and honest than FIFA," according to Darren Cooney of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The "shocking findings" appeared in the results of the Scottish Football Supporters Association's latest survey. More than 16,000 fans were asked for their views on the state of the game -- and it does not "make for pretty reading." The "most scathing opinion comes in an attack" on Hampden execs as "the majority rate the SPFL and the SFA lower than UEFA and FIFA in terms of their openness, honesty and trustworthiness." Ninety-three percent want Scottish football to be overseen by an independent watchdog while an "incredible" 90% "want the Scottish Government involved." Also, more than 60% revealed they "could lose interest in football" (DAILY RECORD, 11/7). In Glasgow, Alasdair Mackenzie reported players, managers and referees also took part in the survey but made up "just" 1% of the respondents. Results between different sets of fans were "very similar," the SFSA confirmed, with the "major difference" being that Rangers fans are "dissatisfied" whereas Celtic supporters are "very dissatisfied." Former First Minister and SFSA board member Henry McLeish, who led a review of the Scottish game in '10, said, "This challenging independent research into how Scottish football governance is seen has uncovered some very concerning issues, but also provides a real opportunity for change" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 11/7). The BBC reported in response to the survey, an SPFL spokesperson said, "We are all working towards a common goal to grow and improve the game in Scotland and are encouraged by progress in recent years. It's worth underlining that the SPFL's commercial income and revenues back to clubs are at record levels and attendances last season were at the highest level this decade, up 12% over the previous season" (BBC, 11/7).
TACKLING ABUSE: In Edinburgh, Russell Jackson reported female football supporters challenged a women's organization "over its stance on a law to tackle sectarianism and online abuse." Campaigners urged the Scottish Women's Convention to withdraw its submission to a Holyrood committee considering "whether the legislation should be repealed." SWC opposes a bid by James Kelly to repeal the "controversial" Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act (SCOTSMAN, 11/7).
