DEMANDS from the English Football Association for the Scottish equivalent to help pay for policing at the 1990 World Cup have been revealed in historical documents, with the Tartan Army’s “good nature” being praised by ministers.
Undercover police officers from the UK were sent to Italy before the start of the tournament which both Scotland and England had qualified for.
The Football Association (FA) which is the football governing body in England, had launched a formal objection after being told it had to pay for the additional security measures which it insisted its Scottish counterpart should also contribute to.
However, it was recorded in government correspondence, which has been opened and placed in the National Archives in London, that ministers said that would be unfair.
Ministers pointed out that Scottish fans had no record of hooliganism or causing disturbances at major tournaments stating they were “good natured”, The Times said.
Graham Kelly, chief executive of the FA, wrote to the office of Colin Moynihan, the UK sports minister and Tory MP for Lewisham East, in April 1990 stating that it was “totally unacceptable” the sporting body was expected to pay for the policing costs.
“I know you are aware that the FA has already made a commitment to fund the policing operation to a cost of almost £100,000,” he wrote.
“I am sure you will appreciate that the Association finds it totally unacceptable that, yet again, we are being expected to finance this.
“The officers concerned will be based in Genoa and there is no doubt that activities will involve the Scottish supporters, particularly bearing in mind that Scotland will be based in the city for the first phase of the tournament.
He added: “To my knowledge no request has been made to the Scottish Football Association to make a financial contribution to the policing operation in Italy.
“If the various government departments are not prepared to fund this officer then I suggest an approach is made to the Scottish FA.”
According to The Times, a spokesperson for Moynihan had stressed they were grateful for the FA’s “substantial contribution” but added: “As regards Scotland it is acknowledged that there may well be less prospect of disorder and misbehaviour. This is reflected in the much smaller police liaison team [being sent to Italy].
“I cannot comment on the apportionment of expenditure on those officers. You may, of course, wish to take this up yourself with the Scottish Football Association.”
The spokesperson went on to say that the additional officers in Italy were tasked with dealing with “possible or actual trouble involving England supporters and not Scottish supporters”.
Throughout the course of the 1990 tournament, Scotland fans were praised for their friendly behaviour and party atmosphere.
However, around 250 English supporters were arrested and were returned to England following clashes with Italian fans in the streets of Rimini.
Following the riot at Heysel stadium in Brussels where 39 people died, Uefa banned English clubs from playing in European competitions in 1985.
The ban, which did not apply to Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish clubs, remained in force until 1990.
The documents also revealed that UK Ministers believed that allowing Jock Stein’s side to sing Scotland the Brave instead of God Save the Queen would be “indicative of a national breakaway movement” and galvanise the campaign for independence, The Times reported.
The Scottish FA went on to replace Scotland the Brave with Flower of Scotland following the success of the anthem with the national rugby team, in the 1990s.
