UEFA apologized to Scotland fans after it was forced to remove celebration videos due to copyright issues following Scotland's 4-2 win over Denmark in World Cup qualifying.
The Scottish Football Fans Association received emails from UEFA stating that clips showing TV coverage of the match on X were shared without permission.
UEFA, which holds broadcast rights to the game, told the BBC via a spokesperson that the content had been captured incorrectly by their content-protection partners.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding,” the spokesperson added.
Footage of jubilant fans from across the country celebrated a night on Tuesday when Scotland booked a place in the World Cup for the first time since 1998; the association's X account subsequently blocked several posts.
Scotland's World Cup history
Scotland's national team is among Europe’s oldest and proudest footballing nations, but its World Cup record has seldom matched the hype.
Their first World Cup came in 1954 in Switzerland, a challenging debut where they failed to advance beyond the group stage after losses to Uruguay and Hungary.
The same fate followed in 1958 in Sweden, even as young talents hinted at global potential.
They exited again in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986, before returning during the 1990 World Cup in Italy—a tournament famed for its atmosphere, yet Scotland again did not progress beyond the group stage, despite solid performances against teams like Austria and Costa Rica.
The most notable World Cup before the long absence remains France 1998, when a number of Scottish players shone individually but the team faded early.
Then came a night of pure drama: Scotland secured a ninth World Cup berth, and first since 1998, with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark—a match packed with stunning goals, raw emotion, and confessional moments from players after the final whistle.
South of Glasgow, celebrations exploded after second goals by Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, tears and laughter mingling as players opened up about personal stories behind the glory, including captain Andy Robertson revealing how his Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota's memory helped carry the team through the day.
Robertson: “Jota was with me on the pitch… this might be my last chance,” he said, explaining how the day’s emotions ran deep.
“We’re lucky to have this group and this staff,” added Robertson, describing the night as one of the greatest of his life.
McLean reflected: “We were imperfect, but the joy of qualification makes up for it.”
Gordon, the veteran goalkeeper, admitted he nearly retired that summer but felt the night justified every hour spent with the national side.
Tierney called the moment one of the best in his life, saying the whole squad deserved to celebrate after such a long wait.
McLean’s late strike, from midfield, sealed the match in a moment he described as unbelievable, while goalkeeper Gordon spoke of a near-retirement decision and the manager’s extraordinary speech prior to the game.
Manager Ferguson remarked that he had never seen Scotland at a World Cup… until now, and the players’ belief that night will be a lasting memory, even as they try to process what happened.
And so, a chapter closed with a roar, but also with relief: Scotland take their place among the world’s elite, even if the official post-match notes still feel a little dizzy from the celebrations.
Punchline punch: If you think copyright cops are tough, try celebrating like Scotland and see how fast your video becomes a memory legally speaking. It’s a great way to test your licensing knowledge—just add confetti.
Punchline two: UEFA probably watched the viral clips and thought, “This belongs to someone else… probably the guy who wrote this article.”
