Football chiefs to hear requests over Wembley bagpipes

THE skirl of bagpipes may sound out at Wembley this summer after football chiefs promised to listen to requests to allow them for Scotland’s forthcoming friendly against England.

A Tartan Army fan plays the bagpipes in 2007. Picture: Getty

Concerns that the pipes may be banned under new stadium rules had sparked outrage ahead of the first Auld Enemy clash since 1999.

However, the English Football Association has clarified its position, opening the door for Tartan Army fans to bring Scotland’s national instrument to the game.

International football’s oldest fixture will reconvene in a friendly on 14 August. The game is being held to mark the English FA’s 150th anniversary.

Wembley Stadium. Picture: PA

Bagpipes have been played at Wembley by Scotland fans since 1928, but the English football team moved to a new stadium in 2007.

New regulations warned “unlicensed musical instruments capable of causing a disturbance or nuisance” must not be brought into the ground. However, in a statement on the English FA’s website yesterday, spokesman Stuart Mawhinney said: “The FA would listen to any specific requests from the proper channels, and look to make provisions where possible.

“We regularly welcome the England supporters group who play instruments to Wembley Stadium and have worked with clubs and fan groups, on a case-by-case basis, to facilitate entry for personalised items not permitted within the stadium ground regulations.”

Jim Eadie, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Southern, who had threatened to write to the FA in support of pipers, said: “This is a welcome relaxation and clarification from the English FA and I am pleased to see their flexible and welcoming approach towards the Tartan Army.

”The England Supporters Band, comprising a brass section and drummers, regularly play at home and away games.

The SFA plans to send out full match information this week and expects any applications from pipers to be included in responses. A spokeswoman said: “The English FA is quite open to this kind of thing.

“We’ve not received any formal applications yet, but we’ve not sent out the full match information. We will be contacting supporters clubs and members this week.”

The Tartan Army has a three-man bagpipe band, with roughly as many solo players usually attending games.

However, the English FA said bagpipers would only be allowed if requests were made through official channels.

Hamish Husband, a west of Scotland Tartan Army spokesman, warned they may stay away if asked to fill in lengthy risk assessment forms.

“It would be unfortunate if there were no bagpipers at the new Wembley,” he said. “But we always get this at modern stadiums with corporate areas. I’m not convinced any bagpipers will want to go through the process of applying.”

He added that pipers can have a bigger impact outside stadiums than in them.

“They belong marching optimistically to the game or afterwards, the lament,” he said.