Alyn Smith MEP Supports Scotland Football Petition

Stuart McMillan the petitioner who is also the SNP PPC for Greenock and Inverclyde said;

"The E-petition has been live for only one week and has amassed over 200 signatures already. I am happy with the response to date and am delighted that the petition now has high profile backers such as Alyn Smith MEP. "The more signatories to the petition then the more pressure is placed upon the Scottish Executive and the BBC."

Mr Smith added;

"This was one of the easier petitions to sign. It goes without saying that when the National football team are doing well, then Scotland feels better about itself and that can only be a good thing.

"My colleagues from around Europe find it rather strange that there is no automatic coverage of the national team when they represent their country on the world stage. It is something they take for granted.

There is a new mood under Walter and his backroom team and the boys are doing great - it is ridiculous that the country can't be a part of that as it happens. We have until the 21st December to sign this and I would urge everybody to add their name."

You can sign the petition at:
http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/view_petition.asp?PetitionID=131

ENDS

Note to Editors

The full petition reads;

"Petition by Stuart McMillan, calling for the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to exert all its political powers upon BBC Scotland to ensure the corporation provide television coverage of every Scotland National Football Team match and notes the sporting and cultural importance of the national team which should ensure that this issue is highlighted every time the Scottish Executive meet with BBC Scotland."