A police watchdog has recommended expanding live facial recognition technology to combat football-related disorder across the UK. Forces in England and Wales already deploy mobile units and underground trials, while Met Police reports 2,100 arrests since early 2024. Prof Kay Ritchie of Abertay University explains that systems convert faces into digital representations matched against wanted lists, noting accuracy tests by the National Physical Laboratory show minimal demographic bias.

Civil liberties groups remain opposed. Big Brother Watch previously challenged Met deployment over discrimination risks but lost its legal case. Amnesty International UK calls facial recognition a "dangerous and discriminatory tool" linked to false arrests. Scottish Football Supporters Association's Paul Goodwin urges community-based safety over what he labels a "reckless proposal."

Justice Secretary Neil Gray states police control technology deployment, emphasizing proportionality under human rights law. The SPFL and Scottish Football Association have been contacted for response.