Scotland fans are being urged to support a petition which calls for national team matches to be available on free-to-air TV.

The Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) say paywalls have become ‘normalised’ in Scotland but are not normal and only happen in seven European countries including Northern Ireland.

Streaming service Viaplay has secured exclusive rights to Scotland men's matches from 2024 until 2028.

TV deals are sold by European football's governing body Uefa, rather than individual football associations - in this case, the Scottish FA.

Research carried out by the SFSA found that more than 99% of Scotland fans believe national matches should be free to watch as they are in England and Wales.

READ MORE: Aidan Smith: Steve Clarke must dump indecisive Scotland picks

Almost 70% of respondents said they currently don't watch the men's game on TV and 97% believe more children would participate in football if they were able to watch the national team.

The SFSA said their research concluded that only 17% currently subscribe to Viaplay.

The group said it received 3000 responses to its survey from fans across all age groups, clubs, and locations.

It found that 99% of fans think being able to watch all Scotland games on TV for free is collectively good for the mental health of the nation, even if the team is beaten.

MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee have said finding solutions with rights-holding subscription services should be a priority.

READ MORE: Former Celtic hopeful helps children struggling with cost of living 

Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “Scotland is out of kilter with what is happening with National Team matches, not just across Europe but also next door.

"That will surprise many people and it is unfair. The SFSA survey shows huge appetite for change.

"We ask all fans to combine on this one and work with us. Please fill in our Change.org petition."

Andy Smith, chairman of the SFSA added: "Restricting games behind the Pay-Per-View barrier is curtailing the size of our game now and therefore reducing the game’s future commercial potential.

"Scotland is in a minority, disenfranchised football group in Europe and we’re hurting families and kids who are facing enough financial pressure."

Scotland's women's team matches will continue to be broadcast "free to air" on BBC Alba and BBC Scotland until June 2024, while BBC Scotland broadcasts highlights of the men's games.

Women's football trailblazer Rose Reilly, said: "We’d like every child, boy or girl, who has a dream of one day pulling on our famous blue shirt to be able to watch their heroes every time they step onto the pitch, without any financial barriers.

"History tells us that football makes many mistakes.

"Well we can also judge those who run our game by how they address the mistakes they make, mistakes like this."