Members of the Scotland Supporter’s Club should be given a say over the Scottish Football Association’s choice of the next FIFA President, says SNP MP Patrick Grady. The call comes as the Scottish Government is carrying out a survey on supporter involvement in local football clubs, and as sports TV network ESPN has invited candidates for the presidency of the global football federation to take part in a televised debate.
Patrick Grady, SNP MP for Glasgow North, whose constituency office is next to Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium, says giving members of the Scotland Supporter’s Club, known as the Tartan Army, a say in who the SFA delegate should vote for in the election of a replacement for Sepp Blatter, due later this year, could help improve transparency and accountability in football's scandal-hit world governing body.
Patrick Grady MP said: “Global football has been hit by too many corruption scandals in recent years. Involving fans in the decisions of how the global game is run could help improve confidence and transparency in FIFA.
“Scotland has already set a gold standard for democratic engagement with the independence referendum. Now the SFA could lead the way in global football by involving fans in the decision over how its delegates vote. Giving the Tartan Army a vote or a say in who should be the next FIFA president could encourage other national football associations to do the same - and shed some much-needed light and accountability into FIFA governance.
“The Scottish Government is consulting on how supporters can get actively involved in their local clubs - this idea would mean fans of the national team also have a say on how country and global football is run.