17/11/2008

Borders MPs challenged to back Scotland in football row

Two MPs representing different parts of the Borders have been challenged to explain why their parties are “actively seeking” to undermine the Scotland national football side and risk ending the Scottish football league set up. Over 30 Conservative, Liberal and Labour MPs in London have signed a parliamentary motion urging Scots players to take part in a GB football team in the 2012 Olympics despite statements by FIFA President Sepp Blatter that such a move would result in an end to the Scotland national squad and the Scottish leagues.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame has attacked Scotland’s sole Conservative MP David Mundell for signing the motion accusing him of undermining the Scottish leagues and Scotland national side. She also challenged Michael Moore MP to clarify his position after several Liberal Democrat MPs also signed the Westminster motion. The motion follows a claim by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, that he had received an unwritten assurance from FIFA that the status of the Scotland side would not be jeopardised if Scots took part in a GB Team. Ms Grahame said:

“Official papers I obtained last month make it clear that any assurance from FIFA to the British Government is meaningless and even if it was in writing, which it is not, then it would not be worth the paper it was written on. The papers I obtained make it clear that any decision FIFA make now, is not binding in the future and therefore participation of Scots in a GB Team in 2012 directly threatens the future of Scottish football at all levels.

“There are many Scotland fans and ordinary league supporters in the Borders who will be outraged by this attempt to undermine our national side and the national game. Scotland is the home of the modern game and to have it undermined by a small band of MPs in London and a British Government motivated by a purely political agenda is outrageous.

“So far the sole Conservative MP in Scotland who represents part of the Borders has backed this motion. He should explain to ordinary football supporters in the region why he has tried to undermine the sport they love.

“Similarly Michael Moore MP should remove the question mark over his loyalties given several of his Liberal parliamentary colleagues have backed the motion that threatens the future of Scottish football and the Scotland side. The Liberal Democrats north and south of the Border seem to be sending mixed messages about where they stand on this issue, although admittedly that has become an established pattern of play for them.

“The Scottish Football Association is opposed to this as are all of the Scotland supporters clubs. Why then is Gordon Brown and other London based MPs so desperate to kill off Scottish football?
"I would urge fans in the Borders to make their voices heard loud and clear, as many are already doing, and give those London MPs the red card.”

Ms Grahame last week lodged a parliamentary motion of her own warning of the dangers a GB football team poses to Scotland’s international and league future. So far no Liberal Democrat members or other unionist parties have signed that motion.

SNP It’s time.....