Controversial plans to introduce facial recognition software at football grounds are set to be scrapped after the Scottish Government told the SPFL they will not provide any financial support.

League bosses had asked for £4m in funding from the government for a scheme designed to tackle offensive behaviour in stadiums from next season.

Community safety minister Paul Wheelhouse told STV News the funding request has been rejected, however, putting plans for the introduction of the technology into turmoil.

He said there are “a number of concerns” about the proposals and any expense would be “hard to justify”.

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We revealed last month that meetings had taken place between representatives of the SPFL and the Scottish Government over a request for £4m to introduce the technology which would be used to identify offenders.

The league governing body is determined to take a firm stance on sectarian singing, the use of flares and other offensive behaviour, and believes the scheme could be effective following incidents involving Celtic, Rangers and Dundee United supporters among others.

The move towards the technology, which would be the first of its kind in the UK, is designed to identify those guilty of violence, offensive singing, use of pyrotechnics and any other prohibited behaviour.

Mr Wheelhouse told STV: “The specific proposal that has been put to us is not one that we can accept. We feel there are a number of concerns about it.

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“We’ve had an open discussion with SFA and the SPFL about the proposals but ultimately it’s an issue for Scottish football to resolve and we’re happy to work with the footballing authorities in doing so but there are some concerns about the proposal that came forward. It’s a hugely challenging time for public finaces.

“We do recognise the financial constraints which football clubs are working within but we feel it’s hard to justify expense on this when public resources are very much challenged at this moment in time.

“We do feel it’s something Scottish football has to resolve itself and put it’s house in order but we’re willing to work with the footballing authorities and keen to do so.”

The proposals from the SPFL were met with criticism and scepticism from supporters and supporters’ groups with the Scottish Football Supporters Association saying it “would be concerned at a rushed move towards intrusive surveillance”.

Further protests have taken place at football grounds around the country with many groups of fans unfurling banners opposing the introduction of facial recognition software.

One proposal would have seen the introduction of facial recognition software to identify troublemakers and create a database of supporters who should be banned from grounds across the country.

If someone on the black list attempted to enter a stadium, an alert would be received allowing clubs to take action. It would then be the responsibility of clubs to ensure these fans were unable to gain access to matches.

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League bosses planned for the scheme to be introduced along with new rules and harsher punishments for clubs who failed to deal with supporters engaged in disorderly behaviour, which included the possible introduction of points deductions.

It remains to be seen what impact the government’s decision on funding will have on any introduction of sporting sanctions by the SPFL.

An SPFL spokesman said: “With our colleagues at the Scottish FA we had a positive meeting with the Scottish Government this week to discuss potential measures to help combat unacceptable conduct at Scottish football grounds, ensuring they remain safe places for people to enjoy our sport.

“The SPFL’s submission of tentative funding costs – specifically for technology to assist with identification of individuals engaged in unacceptable conduct – followed previous discussions with the Scottish Government where we built on quotes based on the top two divisions only.

“We remain committed to tackling unacceptable conduct where it occurs in SPFL grounds – indeed an Independent Commission recently found Motherwell FC guilty of breaches of SPFL Rules in this area.

“The overwhelming majority of Scottish football supporters behave impeccably, are the best possible ambassadors for our national sport and are a force for positive change.

“We remain keen to work in partnership and on an ongoing basis with the Scottish Government and others to tackle unacceptable conduct and to use the unique power of football and of football clubs in their local communities to assist with tackling other positive changes in society, including in health, lifestyle and wellbeing.”