Football fans are a step closer to winning the right to buy their clubs following a “landmark” vote in the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs backed amendments in the Community Empowerment Bill last night to give Scottish ministers the power to bring in a right to potentially change ownership of a troubled club if there was demand.
The amendments were put forward by Green MSP Alison Johnstone who has been campaigning for change for years.
It is now expected that a consultation on the implementation of fan ownership will be carried out by the Scottish Government over the summer.
Ms Johnstone, a Lothians list MSP, said: “This is a landmark decision for Scottish football, a measure designed to support fans and protect clubs.
“The principle of a fans’ right to buy is overwhelmingly popular and parliament is doing the right thing by backing it.
“Many Scottish clubs are well-run, but everyone can name others which have been forced into administration, or worse.
“With this right, never again would fans be left watching on the touchline as their club goes bust.”
Ms Johnstone said the system worked well in places like Germany, Spain and Argentina – countries which do rather better than Scotland at both a club and national level.
She urged people who love Scottish football to take part in the consultation.
Ms Johnstone said: “I’m very glad ministers have accepted this principle, and we will continue to press them until the right to buy is fully in place and fans are at last where they belong, at the heart of the Scottish game.”