Scottish Ministers attendance at football matches: FOI release

Information requested

For each time a Scottish Minister, in a professional capacity, attended a match of the Scottish national teams (home and abroad) and any Scottish professional team:

(a) which Minister attended;

(b) where and when were the visits;

(c) why the Minister was invited; and

(d) whether alcohol was served and whether the Minister had an alcoholic drink.

Response

In relation to which Minister attended matches, all of the information you have requested is available from our proactively published list of Ministerial engagements on the Scottish Government website: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

For why Ministers were invited, Ministers attend a wide variety of sporting and cultural events given the importance the Scottish Government places on such engagements, and the enormous benefits and economic impact they generate. The SFA, SPFL and SWPL regularly invite Ministers to key football matches, including international matches and domestic finals and semi-finals. Attending these events provides Ministers with the opportunity to engage with the football authorities on topical issues relating to football and to hold discussions with other attendees on issues of mutual interest.

Whilst we are aware that alcohol is available in hospitality areas of football grounds, we do not keep records of whether alcohol was available at matches where Ministers were in attendance or whether Ministers consumed alcohol during their visit. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.