Football Fans Asked About 'Right To Buy'

Football fans are being asked if they would like a legal right to buy their local clubs.

The Scottish Government has begun a consultation on the idea, which could lead to supporters' groups being given 'first refusal' when a club goes on the market.

Some are already owned by their fans, including Dunfermline Athletic.  It was saved by Pars United in 2013, after going into administration.

The Scottish Green Party have been lobbying for supporters to have a legal right to buy, saying they're often only able to step in at the last minute when the clubs are already in desperate financial circumstances.

The party says fan ownership is already well-established in Scandinavia and Germany.

Ministers agreed to hold a consultation as part of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act which was passed earlier this year.

They're considering four levels of fan involvement: Right to Influence; Right to Govern; Right to Bid; and Right to Buy.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone has welcomed the move, saying: "Football is a fundamental part of Scottish culture, but many clubs have gone through a vicious cycle of boom and bust, with owners changing fast and teams struggling with finance. Fan ownership is the norm in Scandinavia and Germany, and we know it can give football clubs a more secure future and bring stability to the sport.

"A majority of Scottish politicians already support more powers for fans. I urge the Scottish Government to do the right thing for our national sport, and give fans the support they need, and deserve, to own and run the clubs they love."

The consultation will close in January.