Scottish football should be included in the UK Government’s fan-led review of the sport, according to Labour’s Ian Murray MP.
The shadow Scottish secretary said there are “serious issues” around football governance which should be addressed in Scotland and England.
The Edinburgh South MP, who was involved in the fans takeover of Hearts and has served on the club’s board, has written to UK sport minister Nigel Huddleston asking him to consider the issue.
He has also written to the Scottish Sports Minister Joe FitzPatrick MSP encouraging the Holyrood government to engage in a four-nation review of the sport.
As part of a manifesto commitment, the Conservative Government said it will carry out a fan-led review of football governance in England.
Labour gave a similar commitment and Murray said the issues facing the game are the same across the UK.
He said the rows over the ending of the 2019/20 season in Scotland left fans feeling isolated from the game.
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.”
He asked Huddleston to work with the Scottish Government to include fans north of the border in the review.
His letter also said: “Football supporters in Scotland face the same issues as supporters across the United Kingdom in wanting to see their local clubs sustainably funded into the future and governed properly.
“There are also some pressing issues with regards to the long-term governance of the game in Scotland.”
