Football related disorder roundtable documentation: FOI release

Information requested

1) Minutes from the roundtable on football-related disorder which took place on June 17, 2025.

2) Any ministerial briefings for the event or correspondence relating to it in advance of the roundtable.

3) Any handouts or documents circulated at the meeting.

Response

Question 1

I enclose a copy of most of the information you have requested in relation to question 1 in the document attached entitled ‘FOI Document 1 - Minutes of the Ministerial Round Table on Football-Related Disorder’.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under section s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below:

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because it is personal data of a third party, for example names of individuals or other personal data such as phone numbers. Disclosing this data would contravene the data protection principles in the UK General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018.

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Question 2

I enclose a copy of most of the information you have requested in relation to question 2 in the document attached entitled 'FOI Document 2 - Ministerial briefings for the event and correspondence relating to it in advance of the roundtable'.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because exemptions under Section 38(1)(b) – personal information/data; Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice; Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views; Section 36(1) – Legal Advice; Section 33(1)(b) - commercial interests and Section 29(1)(a) – formulation or development of government policy.

Section 38(1)(b) – Personal Information/Data

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because it is personal data of a third party, for example names of individuals or other personal data such as phone numbers. Disclosing this data would contravene the data protection principles in the UK General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Section 30(b)(i) – Free and Frank Provision of Advice

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in the Scottish Government's discussion of sensitive issues. However, this is outweighed by public interest in the Scottish Government being able freely give advice on sensitive issues and ongoing working relationships with external stakeholders for the purposes of community cohesion and safety. Disclosing such free and frank exchanges of advice would substantially inhibit such advice being provided in the future, particularly as these discussions relate to sensitive issues.

Section 30(b)(ii) – Free and Frank Exchange of Views

An exemption under 30(b)(ii) applies because disclosure would inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in the Scottish Government's discussion of sensitive issues. However, this is outweighed by public interest in the Scottish Government being able freely discuss ongoing external situations for the purposes of community cohesion and safety. Disclosing free and frank exchanges of views would substantially inhibit such views being provided in the future.

Section 36(1) – Legal Advice

An exemption under section 36(1) applies because the information is legally privileged.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in the Scottish Government's discussion of legislation. However, this is outweighed by public interest in the Scottish Government being able freely receive and consider legal advice related to on-going policy decisions for the purposes of community cohesion and safety.

Section 33(1)(b) - Commercial Interests

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) applies because disclosure would likely prejudice the commercial interests of a stakeholder organisation.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in the Scottish Government's arrangement of meetings. However, this is outweighed by public interest in the Scottish Government being able to freely discuss costs of hire with external stakeholders.

Section 29(1)(a) – Formulation or Development of Government Policy

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) applies because disclosure would likely affect development of Scottish Government policy.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in the Scottish Government's policy development. However, this is outweighed by public interest in the Scottish Government being able to freely review and develop existing policy for the purposes of community cohesion and safety. Disclosing development of policy and options being considered and discussed would substantially inhibit such options being presented and discussed in the future.

Question 3

The information you have requested in relation to question 3 is provided in the document attached entitled ‘FOI Document 3 – Any handouts or documents circulated at the Round Table Meeting’.

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.

FOI 202500471355 - Information released - Documents

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