28/06/2010
As the opening event at this year’s Festival of Politics, the Scottish Parliament will play host to 400 football fans for a live debate on the future of Scottish Football in the main Parliamentary Chamber.
Football fans, MSPs and sports media will examine the politics of Scotland’s national game in an event being held in association with Real Radio and Scotland’s Futures Forum on Tuesday 17th August.
The panel made up of Scotland’s Former Scotland Managers (to be confirmed shortly) and politicians will answer questions from fans during a live broadcast of the popular Real Radio Football Phone-in Show.
Speaking ahead of the event, Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman MSP said: “The future of the national game is hugely important to the fabric of Scottish life and I think it is fitting that the Scottish Parliament hosts this discussion as part of this year’s Festival of Politics.
“This event has great potential for a wide community of interest to be developed and a shared understanding of where we want Scottish Football to go in the future.
“I am sure the event will be engaging, stimulating and of great interest to football fans and sports media across Scotland.”
Programme Director for Real Radio Scotland, Jay Crawford, said: “I’m delighted we are bringing the Real Radio Football Phone In to the Scottish Parliament. It’s an honour to be involved with the Festival of Politics where we can give our listeners the chance to come to the Parliament and debate the future of the beautiful game. I’m really looking forward to what I think, will be a great evening of discussion and fun in a first for the Football Phone In.”
Background Information
• Tickets for the “Scotland’s Political Football” event will only be made available through Real Radio. Tickets will be available through a ballot which can be entered online on the Real Radio website. Details of the ballot will be announced this evening on the Real Radio Football Phone in Show.
• The full Festival of Politics programme is launched on 5th July. Full details will be posted on the Festival of Politics website and Facebook page.
• Scotland's Futures Forum was created by the Scottish Parliament to help its Members, along with policy makers, businesses, academics, and the wider community of Scotland, look beyond immediate horizons, to some of the challenges and opportunities we will face in the future.
Looking beyond the four-year electoral cycle and away from party politics, the forum seeks to stimulate public debate in Scotland, bringing fresh perspectives, ideas and creativity on how we might prepare for the future now.
You can now get in touch with the Parliament by text message. Our interactive service enables you to get the name of your MSP by sending your postcode, lets you ask questions about the Parliament and its work, and enables you to request a selection of free leaflets. The number to take advantage of is 07786 209888. Texts are charged at standard network rates. More details can be found on our Text Service page.