Scottish Government launches Scottish League Cup sponsorship
The Scottish Government yesterday launched its sponsorship of the Scottish Communities Cup, which sees £1m seized from criminals invested in a campaign to promote positive bahaviour and encourage stronger communities and respect to football fans and families throughout Scotland.
Launched by First Minister Alex Salmond and David Longmuir, chief executive of the Scottish Football League, the Government has taken on the sponsorship of the tournament after it failed to secure a private sector organisation’s backing.
Mr Salmond said: "The partnership between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Football League will promote all that's good about our national game and put local football clubs back at the heart of Scotland's communities.
"The SFL and its clubs already carry out invaluable work across the country and we want to build on these partnerships to encourage positive change in attitudes in our local communities.
"Our national game is a powerful means of engagement with young people and an excellent means of highlighting key messages to fans and families throughout Scotland. I am determined to call a halt to the kind of unacceptable behaviour that we have seen blight Scottish football and our communities in recent times.
"Our work with the SFL builds on the £41 million investment that the Scottish Government has committed to Cashback for Communities projects since 2007 with over £12.35 million into football until 2014.
"I am delighted that we can support the Scottish Football League at an important time for the game in Scotland. With the help of other key players such as the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Premier League and all of our clubs, I have no doubt the Scottish Communities League Cup campaign can help us make an immediate impact in breeding Respect, Responsibility and Tolerance now and in the future."
The Government will aim to use the tournament as part of its strategy to tacking sectarianism in Scotland following the Football Summit held in March after an Old Firm Scottish Cup tie.