Chamber and committees

That would have been an interesting game, although completely different from the modern game invented in Queen’s park, and I recognise that too.

Regardless of what we say and do here, Hampden will be bouncing when the games happen. Our job is to ensure that the law helps us to host well-organised events while protecting people’s rights and local livelihoods. Euro 2028 is more than a tournament: it will showcase Scotland to the world as a dynamic, welcoming and ambitious nation. Independent analysis suggests that there will be £2.6 billion in socioeconomic benefits across the UK and Ireland, with real opportunities for tourism and hospitality here in Scotland to benefit.

The bill, as others have said, does three main things: it bans ticket touting for profit; it controls street trading in event zones at set times; and it prevents ambush advertising around Euro 2028. It also sets out clear enforcement powers and includes a sunset clause so that special measures will lapse after the tournament.

On ticket touting, the committee heard clear evidence about whether we are actually tackling modern online resales from sellers that sit outside Scotland. The 2025 bill removes the extraterritorial element that existed in 2020, which means that a question remains about what practical co-ordination is in place across the UK to stop the profiteering that prices ordinary fans out of the game. Fans should not be outbid by bots and scalpers when all they want to do is see their country play. The committee highlighted that, if we need a published cross-border plan with operational guidance from Police Scotland and its counterparts, we should say so and get that done.

On exemptions, the committee has questioned the drafting that would allow UEFA to sell tickets. The committee has the right to do that, and I share the concern. We need absolute clarity that a loophole will not be created for individuals to personally profit. Regardless of who they are and where they got the tickets from, the intent is to enable proper distribution and not open the door to officials touting tickets. I am passionate about beating ticket touts whoever they are, although I equally recognise that the commercial revenue that is generated for UEFA and its corporate partners supports our beautiful game. Tightening the explanatory notes or guidance should give fans confidence that the system will be fair and that they will get value for money on tickets and merchandise.

I have gone round the houses on the issue of street trading, because Glasgow traders help to make our big occasions special. Who has not heard, “Get your hats, scarves and flags here” at many a game? Glasgow City Council needs to work with those traders to ensure that they get an opportunity to operate elsewhere, given that UEFA and its sponsors are spending quite a lot of money on the championship.

On advertising, ambush marketing should not be allowed to hijack the tournament, but the committee has been clear that we must draw a line between commercial promotion and social or political expression. Peaceful non-commercial protest is part of Scotland’s democracy and democratic life and it should not be chilled by event rules. It is essential to strike the right balance between commercial infringement and being careful with civil liberties.

I feel that I have taken quite a bit of time, Presiding Officer.

As someone who has followed Scotland both home and away and who proudly backs St Mirren from the Paisley buddies’ end, I have a lot to say about our national game in general. Some might be shocked by what I will speak on today. I could talk about the quality, or lack of quality, of Scottish football refereeing or of the video assistant referee as a separate subsection of the same debate, or about whether Scotland fans should be allowed a pint as they watch the game, but today is not about those important issues of our national game; it is about hosting Euro 2028.

I have been working on the idea of having alcohol at football matches for some time. St Mirren is having a pilot on allowing pre-game drinks, and I am quite happy to invite Mr Kerr along to that, so that he and I can have a friendly couple of pints before a game against his team.

I am into overtime, so I will be very quick.

Football belongs to its supporters first and foremost. As a St Mirren fan and as a Scotland supporter, I want kids, families and lifelong fans to get in at fair prices and local businesses to benefit, with their rights being respected. With tighter clarity on online touting, co-ordination, precise exemptions, practical support for traders and proportionate enforcement, the bill can deliver that balance.

Let us make Euro 2028 not just a great tournament at Hampden, but a tournament that feels like Scotland—fair, welcoming and proud.

I would like to, but I am sure the Deputy Presiding Officer will stop me from straying from the actual issue under debate. However, I think that that is something that we should discuss in this Parliament in future.

Football brings people together, in between the times when we all fall out about various aspects of the game. As the minister said, today is armistice day, and everyone knows the story of first Christmas of the great war when, in 1914, those on the western front systematically stopped fighting and met in no man’s land. They passed each other gifts, drinks and trinkets and they played football, because football is the international language that everyone understands.

I want Euro 2028 in Glasgow to be a celebration of football. Some nations claim that football is coming home when it goes to their nation but we all know that the modern, passing game of football was born in Glasgow, not far from the stadium that will host the games, and that it was in the great Queen’s park that we actually moved forward from the rugby-type game played in other parts of the home nations to the silky football that we now regularly see in Scotland.

A Diet Coke only.

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the sustainability of town centres. (S6O-05110)

I was not going to mention that, as I mentioned it last week. The minister will be aware of the major regeneration work that is under way in Paisley town centre, including plans to explore future use of the Paisley Centre site. This week, Renfrewshire Council confirmed that it will work with the developer to move that important project forward. Will the minister commit to engaging with Renfrewshire Council, once its proposals are ready, to help to ensure the best possible outcome for Paisley?

I have been listening to everything that Mr Kerr has been saying. We have had our disagreements, but we have always kept everything open and friendly when discussing things.

In my time in the Scottish Parliament, though, I have never faced a situation in which a convener, regardless of political party, has been so objecting—to me—and so difficult, until now, when there is someone on the Education, Children and Young People Committee with whom I cannot work and who is extremely difficult and partisan. The colleague sitting in front of Mr Kerr—Sue Webber—was excellent in her time, but her replacement became difficult.

I come back to the leadership issue that was mentioned by the convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. The problem with having someone in that role is that they need to have the leadership in order to be able to work with everyone.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The voting platform was goosed. I would have voted no.