Nest of Fearties #13: The Politics of Scottish Football w/ Derek Watson and Paul Quigley

Earlier this year, the 18th June edition of the Daily Record carried the headline “Justice Ministers’ war on yobs: Thugs up in smoke”. The words referred to an intervention from SNP MSP Angela Constence, who had promised to crack down on football fans following the Old Firm League Cup Final in December 2024. The Record’s prejudice, however, speaks to a more general effort to demonise Scottish football fans from this country’s political and media class. At its most serious, this demonisation has resulted in awful legislation like the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. At its most ludicrous, it has resulted in the mainstream media alleging that fans are carrying and smuggling pyrotechnics into games inside French baguettes. While they’re targeted by the establishment, football fans are simultaneously priced out of games as the cost of tickets has soared. In Scotland, fans are getting organised to fight for better. In the latest episode of Nest of Fearties, Coll McCail is joined by Derek Watson and Paul Quigley to discuss the politics of Scottish football. Support Skotia on Patreon.