Current Petitions

Petition PE647 calls on the Scottish Parliament to investigate the Scottish Premier League's decision to deny Falkirk Football Club promotion to the SPL. At its meeting on 25 June 2003, the committee noted that an appeal against the SPL's decision was to be heard the next day by the Scottish Football Association's appeals committee. We agreed to draw the appeals committee's attention to the existence of the petition and to the strength of feeling among the supporters of Falkirk FC and the wider community that the club represents.The SFA's response states that the appeal from Falkirk FC was not upheld. Although that statement is historically accurate, my recollection is that the debate raised many issues that reflected badly on Scottish football. I am also aware that, in light of those issues, the Enterprise and Culture Committee has decided to begin an inquiry into the state of Scottish football and the current difficulties. It might be useful to close the petition and send the details to the Enterprise and Culture Committee for its information.

I agree with that recommendation. On Sunday, I had occasion to be in Falkirk, where I saw Falkirk FC's wonderful new stadium. As I recall, part of the debate centred on the claim that the club did not have a nice new football ground. In actual fact, it has a spectacular-looking new facility. That destroys one of the arguments that was put up at the time.

One of the petition's supporters was Dennis Canavan, who is the member for Falkirk West. He contacted the committee yesterday to ask that the petition be sent to the Enterprise and Culture Committee. It will be useful to let Dennis Canavan know that we have agreed to do that.

I declare my interest as a director of Dundee United Football Club. However, I was not a director when the issue was considered by the Scottish Premier League.As a member of the Enterprise and Culture Committee, I think that it would be appropriate to refer the petition to that committee. Two reporters have now been appointed to carry out our inquiry into Scottish football and I am sure that they would be interested to hear what the petitioners have to say.

Is everyone happy with that?Members indicated agreement.

I can tell from the look on Linda Fabiani's face that she is not interested in football.

Are you referring to Enric Miralles?