Haggis petition launched as Scotland prepares for US World Cup
Campaign coincides with Tartan Army’s journey to the United States, following manager Steve Clarke’s distinction between international and domestic fan conduct.
Simon Howie Butchers has initiated a petition urging the United States to legalise haggis, citing federal regulations that have prohibited the dish since 1971 due to the inclusion of sheep lungs. The campaign, supported by Scottish broadcaster and journalist Gordon Smart, coincides with the Scottish national football team’s upcoming World Cup journey to the United States. Fans travelling to the US are being issued flags emblazoned with the slogan "no haggis, no party" to highlight the cultural disconnect regarding the traditional delicacy.
Simon Howie, owner of the Perthshire-based butcher, stated that the initiative aims to appeal to the USA to embrace the dish given the "warmth and long-standing affinity between Americans and Scots". He noted that while Scottish fans are widely recognised as some of the best in the world, they are currently excluded from consuming their national dish due to US federal food regulations on offal. The petition seeks to "make haggis legal again" as the Tartan Army prepares for the summer 2026 tournament.
Gordon Smart, fronting the campaign, described the upcoming trip as one Scots will "never forget". He encouraged support for the petition, stating, "Simon Howie is fighting for every Scot and honorary Scot out there, so let’s get behind the campaign and make history on and off the pitch." Smart added that the initiative is designed to ensure that supporters have access to haggis alongside the flags, songs, and scarves that define the international fan experience.
The launch of the campaign follows recent comments by Scotland manager Steve Clarke, who distinguished the behaviour of international supporters from recent pitch invasions by domestic club fans. Clarke noted that while the Tartan Army stayed in their seats during the dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark to qualify for the World Cup, recent scenes at Celtic Park and Ibrox were "not good for Scottish football" and endangered player safety. He emphasised that the international scene is separate from the domestic league, where the feel-good factor has been marred by unsavoury incidents.
Clarke expressed hope that his future with the national team would be clarified before the squad departs for the United States, as his current deal runs out this summer. He stated that while he is "pretty sure" his situation would be resolved, he preferred to focus on the squad rather than his own contract status. The US embassy in London has been approached for comment regarding the petition as the team prepares to depart for the tournament.
