Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition party leaders during the final first minister's questions before Brexit
Carlaw and Sturgeon clash over education and schools' performance in deprived areas
Leonard criticises government's NFP funding model but Sturgeon slams Labour's 'PFI scandal'
Harvie calls for free bus passes for young people and Rennie and FM argue about waiting times
Indyref2, flags and of course Brexit all feature
At 2.20pm Scotland's Brexit secretary made a statement in the chamber
The SFA chief exec says if a player wants to move a club but has concerns, the SFA can step in to terminate contracts.
But I'm not aware of players wanting to leave and being prevented from doing so he says.
That does not make good sportspeople, "it does not make any sense," he adds.
Mr Whittle pivots to PVG checks for coaches and seeks an update.
Ian Maxwell says it is required for coaches to have PVG checks before they can take up a post.
There were some roles which we felt should have been covered by PVG check, such as for those in charge of kit, but were rejected by Disclosure Scotland because it was not considered regulated work, he adds.
He accepts this will change with the Disclosure (Scotland) Bill.
Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks what contact the SFA have had with the new children and young people's commissioner, Bruce Adamson, since he took up the post in 2017.
Mr Maxwell says the only contact he has had was in November after the commissioner gave evidence to MSPs.
He says he wrote to the commissioner and asked for a meeting but was told it would be better to meet after today's evidence session.
Alyson Evans points out that at an operational level the SFA does have contact with the staff of the commission on a regular basis, with it training SFA youth ambassadors on children's rights.
Mr Whittle says he would have thought it would have been better to get together before this meeting.
Mr Maxwell confirms the commissioner did not want to meet prior to this meeting.
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SNP MSP Gail Ross asks how the SFA works with football clubs on this issue.
Each club must have a dedicated child welfare officer, Alyson Evans explains.
"We are always available to provide them support."
There are meetings quarterly to spread good practice, she elucidates.
Ian Maxwell says the clubs at the top level do a huge amount of work on child welfare, helping to develop the player as an individual as much as footballer.
"It's not about football, it's about the person."
Ms Lamont raises the fact some players were paid as little as £1 a week.
It was absolutely breaking the law, Mr Maxwell accepts.
Clubs must be minimum wage compliant and he urges anyone who is not paid that wage to come forward, he states.
Ms Lamont says the SFA signed off on these contracts.
Mr Maxwell refutes this, saying under Fifa regulations the SFA is tasked with ensuring the registration of a footballer is valid.
A secondary issue is the contract of employment which is between the club and player, and not for a football governing body, he adds.
Ms Lamont says young people and their families are almost willingly being exploited because of the life-changing impacts football can have.
Mr Maxwell insists the SFA takes on board the petitions concerns and is committed to review regulations.
In any sport where any coach has the opportunity to choose players in a team, there is a power imbalance and I don't think we can change that, he adds.
Our responsibility is to ensure that power imbalance is not exploited or abused, he says.
Image source, bbcJohann Lamont
I think this petition is the longest running in the parliament, running for ten years, says committee convener Johann Lamont.
Ms Lamont says the pace has been worryingly slow and there are concerns about how children are protected in youth football.
Mr Maxwell says he has been in post for 18 months and the child wellbeing strategy launched in that period, which is very much the focus of work he has been doing.
"I appreciate the concerns."
Image source, Getty ImagesEfforts to prevent child abuse in Scottish football risk being undermined by a system that prioritises finance over the interests of talented young players, a former children's commissioner has warned.
Tam Baillie said clubs held too much power over the future of players.
The BBC understands the Scottish FA plans to speak to clubs about changing their registration rules.
This would include canvassing its members on whether to drop the existing rights of clubs to extend the registration period of players in the 15 to 17-year-old category.
Alyson Evans, the child wellbeing and protection manager at the SFA, details various changes designed to improve protections clubs have brought in.
Evidence that these measures have been taken is required at the annual licensing audit for clubs, she tells MSPs.
Convener Johann Lamont asks about a timescale for the working group.
Mr Maxwell says the first meeting will be on 26 February and he does not imagine it will take long to complete, though he does not have a precise timetable.
Ian Maxwell with the SFA
Ian Maxwell begins saying children's wellbeing is central to the work of the SFA.
Mr Maxwell says Scotland's journey on youth football is complete by any stretch but he does say it is a priority.
He cites the setting up of a working party to look at registration rules specifically those of 15 to 17 year olds, which will sit for the first time on 26 February.
It will look at whether the current regulations are viable, he explains.
The convener welcomes:
Image source, Getty ImagesClubs receive compensation for training costs and other benefits given to young players who wish to move to a different team
The Public Petition Committee is kicking off with the longest running petition in Holyrood's history on youth football contracts.
PE01319, external on improving youth football in Scotland was lodged almost a decade ago on 11 March 2010.
The authors of a petition to the Scottish Parliament say players under the age of 16 are not allowed to change club without compensation being paid.
They argue this "transfer market" breaches Scots law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Image source, PA MediaWelcome to BBC Scotland's Holyrood Live coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 30 January 2020.
Here's what we're covering today:
9.15am: Petitions committee: Improving youth football
11.40am: General Questions
12.00 pm: First Minister's Questions
12.45 pm: Members’ Business: Keith Brown – Public Works Loan Board Rate
2.00 pm: Portfolio Questions: Social Security and Older People
2.20-2.50 pm: With a day to go before the UK leaves the European Union, Brexit Secretary Mike Russell will make a statement
2.50-5.00 pm: Scottish Government Debate: Drugs and Alcohol – Preventing and Reducing Harms