Last year, Scottish ministers set up an expert group to consider tackling pyrotechnic misuse at football. This included the SPFL, the body which represents the clubs, and the Football Safety Officers Association, the body representing the clubs' individual safety officers, as well as Police Scotland and the Crown Office. Minutes of its meetings, released to BBC Scotland News under Freedom of Information laws, show the group was "strongly of the view" that FBOs "need broadening and modernised, with more flexibility". The minutes added: "It was agreed by all that the application of an FBO is a far stronger deterrent than club ban and increased use of FBOs is essential to combat criminal behaviour within Scottish football grounds." The group pointed to a 2022 change in England and Wales where the courts are now expected to automatically add an FBO for football-related convictions unless there is a good reason not to. Previously the courts had to be satisfied an FBO would help to prevent violence or disorder at games before it was issued. In 2023/24 - the first full year after this change was made - there was a 21% increase in FBOs issued across England and Wales to 825, though it is unclear how much of the rise is due to the change in guidelines or increased disorder. The Scottish government expert group also suggested that shorter FBO bans for first offenders "to provide proportionality for sheriffs" would be helpful.