Forum List | Football Forum
| Topic: Facial recognition at football matches |
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| 1. Author: BouncyPar Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 07:14 "The head of the Scottish police watchdog is calling for the introduction of live facial recognition technology and drones to help combat football-related disorder. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) Craig Naylor has used the publication of his annual report to highlight the need for better use of technology to help fight crime. Naylor described recent football violence, like the disorder between Celtic and Rangers fans at Ibrox in March, as "a situation that cannot continue to be tolerated." He also said the increasing violence in Scotland outside football grounds was likely to require more police deployments." - BBC I`d like to know everyone`s opinion on this. I`m all for most measures that reduce trouble, and enhance the safety and enjoyment of the 99% who behave, but this seems like an intrusion on every fans freedom and civil rights. (not sure if this belongs here or in the politics forum) Reply |
| 2. Author: General Zod Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 07:20 Not going to help if all the wee schooligans that are usually involved are hiding behind daft wee masks. Reply |
| 3. Author: Berry Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 07:59 General Zod, Fri 21 Aug 07:20 And we are just as bad as that as most other clubs unfortunately albeit smaller scale in comparison to bigger clubs. Too many times last season kids from the SNW with the masks on running towards the away buses after game. Just don’t understand it personally. Reply |
| 4. Author: BouncyPar Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 08:03 Considering a large amount of the trouble involves those wearing masks, I presume there would therefore also be a law introduced giving police power to remove face masks, or simply no entry to the stadium without your full face showing? Reply |
| 5. Author: P Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 08:31 Wouldn’t need a change to law, just change terms of the ticket Reply |
| 6. Author: MinnesotaAndy Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 09:21 To prevent pitch invasions, clubs could install fan cages. Personally I`d prefer more was spent on regular policing and stewarding than spending to create the surveillance state. Several years ago I did a tour of the Johan Cruyff arena in Amsterdam. They have an extensive security setup. They can zoom in on any seat in the stadium at the touch of button. In China, some cities operate mass surveillance, and crime rates are very low in these cities as a result. Reply |
| 7. Author: Andrew283 Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 09:33 Id ban any wee tool wearing balaclavas. And not just in stadiums Reply |
| 8. Author: Indiapar1 Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 10:20 I think that this is very much an "end of pipe" solution i.e. its an easy way to address the issue as it occurs rather thanthe more complex and difficult (but better long term) issues in society that bring about the problems in the first place. I am sure the Chief Constable is looking for solutions, but these are very much through the lens of policing, available resoirces, cost etc. The more holistic approach is to identify and address the causes in society, knowing you rights is one thong but also knowing your responsibilities and taking accountability for your actions. If they are under 16, perhaps parents should be responsible and accountable for their actions, more and better policing, better police intelligence, police officers rather than stewards in key crowd management functions, better powers of arrest at football matches, harsher sentances or community service, naming and shaming individuals etc. CCTV does not prevent crime, it aids in the identification and prosecution of those responsible hence "facial recognition". Unfortunately these measures are a result of the tick box approach that is taken these days due to a lack of joined up thinking and lack of vision of those who make decisions on a societal level. Example - you introduce facial recognition, they get arrested and go through the court system or to childrens panels and are fined, or given suspended prison sentances, or made the subject of a supervision order. If they go to prison they are unlikely to serve a full sentance. What stops them doing it again I wonder. G Wardrope Reply |
| 9. Author: parsmad68 Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 10:38 MinnesotaAndy, Fri 21 Aug 09:21 Any misdemeanours caught on camera affect life options. It is like a black mark against the person and affects job prospects, loans, etc. Reply |
| 10. Author: thebear Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 11:12 It`s needs to be double ended, better education, better parenting - just look at schools. And if that fails show them publicly and throw the book at them Reply |
| 11. Author: Dave_1885 Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 19:33 Im surprised its taken this long to introduce them. They are used in casinos etc already and thats just to catch folk that beat the gaming systems. Is it really an intrusion of privacy? They are just a more sophisticated CCTV system that you are on every day of your life anyway. Theres a really simple solution if you don’t like them - behave 🤷🏻♂️😂 Reply |
| 12. Author: red-star-par Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 20:05 Wasn`t aware they had them in Casino`s. More proof that the gambling industry don`t want any winners to play the game, they are only interested in the mug punters Reply |
| 13. Author: veteraneastender Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 21:00 If it helps identifying the wee scroats - what’s not to like ? Reply |
| 14. Author: veteraneastender Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 21:03 red-star-par, Fri 21 Aug 20:05 Casino security have been on the case since Adam was a laddie - clamping down on chancers and organised cheats. Nothing new here. Reply |
| 15. Author: AdamAntsParsStripe Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 21:33 Big T suits the facial masks to hide his age so I vote to keep them. Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte  Reply |
| 16. Author: Dave_1885 Date: Fri 21st Aug 2026. 21:41 red-star-par, Fri 21 Aug 20:05 Im not sure about the UK, but Im pretty sure the US ones are fully rigged up. Never seen 21 before? Reply |
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