The Scottish FA has recently enhanced its regulatory framework to address the persistent issue of pyrotechnic use among football fans. During the Annual General Meeting, it was decided that the association would mirror the SPFL's powers to impose sanctions ranging from fines to expulsion from the Scottish Cup. However, Chief Executive Ian Maxwell emphasizes a preference for preventive measures over punitive actions.

Maxwell stated, "You would absolutely never want to get to that stage, and we need to look at the steps that we can take to avoid that." He highlighted the effectiveness of ticket reductions as seen in UEFA's approach and suggested it as a potential strategy for the Scottish FA.

Recent incidents involving Celtic, Rangers, and Motherwell, where fans disrupted games with flares, have led to charges and reduced ticket allocations. Maxwell noted the importance of creating consequences for individual behaviors to deter future incidents. "It's about creating that jeopardy and creating that consequence for the behaviour that we're trying to remove," he explained.

Despite these measures, Maxwell reassured that the vibrant atmosphere of Scottish football games would not be compromised. "We've got hundreds of thousands of people that come and watch our games on a weekend, and we need to make sure that environment is energetic and is noisy. We don't want to quell that, but fundamentally it has to be safe," he concluded.

This strategic approach aims to balance safety with the passionate support that characterizes Scottish football, ensuring that the sport remains enjoyable and secure for all attendees.