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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 12 – The ruling Scottish National Party have complained to Geoff Thompson, the chairman of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, because they claim that Scottish fans are unable to pledge their support to a campaign first launched by Gordon Brown, a Scot and keen Raith Rovers supporter .
MSP Stewart Maxwell has written a letter to Thompson, which insideworldfootball has seen, pointing out that potential supporters of England’s bid from Scotland were being denied the opportunity because of a problem with the England 2018 website.
Supporters who wish to back England’s bid are asked to write a short message, along with their name, country of origin, and which team they support.
But supporters from Scotland are unable to formally register their support as fans of the Scottish national team or any of Scotland’s domestic clubs, Maxwell claims.
Instead they are only able to select English domestic clubs or national teams from other countries such as the United States or Guatemala as their team of choice.
The same restrictions also apply to supporters from Wales and Northern Ireland.
Maxwell, Scotland’s former Sports Minister, has written to Thompson to express his concerns that football supporters in Scotland will not have the opportunity to back England’s bid unless they can officially add their support as Scottish football fans.
“I’m disappointed that Scottish football fans are being excluded from registering their support for England’s World Cup bid,” wrote Maxwell (pictured).
“It’s ridiculous that football supporters from Tahiti or Nigeria are able to do so, but fans of the Scottish national team cannot.
“Everyone knows that the competition to host a World Cup is intense, and with a number of other countries bidding to host the tournament England needs all the support it can get.
“Most people in Scotland would be in favour of England hosting the World Cup in 2018.
“To have such a prestigious sporting tournament on our own doorstep would offer a great opportunity for Scottish fans to experience it first hand.
“It would also bring a boost to Scottish tourism, as I’m sure many football fans from across the world would be keen on sampling Scotland’s famous hospitality during their visit to the tournament.
“[Prime Minister] David Cameron has quite rightly said that people from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would offer a warm welcome to fans and players coming over in 2018.
“However, these same people will also be frustrated that the English FA fails to recognise their support as fans of their respective national football teams.”
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