Scotland’s police watchdog says live facial recognition technology could be used to help tackle football disorder and prevent “football thuggery.” The suggestion focuses on using technology during events to identify people of concern and deter or disrupt incidents.
The proposal is described in the context of past violence around major fixtures, including Old Firm matches in Scotland. One outlet says the approach could help enforce bans by identifying individuals who are not permitted to attend, while another frames it more broadly as a tool to address disorder at football grounds.
Both accounts present facial recognition as a potential measure rather than an immediate change, citing the watchdog’s position. The coverage does not indicate whether specific matches, timelines, or legal requirements have been agreed, and it does not detail how the technology would be governed, tested, or limited in practice.
