SNP make fresh call for Scotland World Cup play-off matches to be free-to-air

The SNP has stepped up the campaign for Scotland's crunch World Cup play-off matches to be made free-to-air.

Steve Clarke's team will take on Ukraine at Hampden Park on March 24 in the semi-final - with the winner then facing either Austria or Wales five days later.

It's the closest the men's international team has come to qualifying for a World Cup since 1998 and excitement among Tartan Army supporters has reached fever pitch.

But an existing broadcast deal between the SFA and Sky Sports means thousands of fans could miss out unless they pay to join the subscription service.

The Record revealed in November how Ian Blackford, the SNP's leader at Westminster, had written to the broadcasting giant to ask it to consider making the play-off match free-to-air.

Sky previously agreed to make the game between Scotland and Serbia in 2020 freely available on one of its channels - but that was at a time when pubs across the country were closed due to lockdown restrictions.

SNP MP Gavin Newlands said it was "vital" the World Cup play-off matches were made free-to-air so as many people as possible could watch them.

"Scotland's upcoming World Cup play-offs have understandably got fans across the country excited," he said.

"This is a huge game for Steve Clarke's team and they are one step closer to the dream of taking Scotland to the World Cup.

"The Scotland team and fans have been on this journey together and as we prepare for the final leg of the journey it is vital that the play-off matches involving Scotland are made available free-to-air so that every Scotland fan has the chance to watch these matches without the need to pay a subscription fee or face restriction.

"Football is more than just a sport - it brings joy and hope