MILLIONS of pounds seized from gangsters and drug dealers is to be used to train the Scotland's future football stars.

Around 30,000 aspiring players will benefit from a raft of new projects funded by money and goods seized from gangs involved in serious organised crime.

The £4million, three-year initiative is the first in the Scottish Government's Cashback For Communities scheme.

The Government is to give around £2.2m from their proceeds of crime fund to football bosses, with £1.9m to come from the Scottish Football Association and sponsors.

The scheme was to be unveiled today by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and SFA boss Gordon Smith.

New projects to be supported by the cash include a national network of five-a-side teams, weekly five-a-side evenings, and the creation of more than 1000 school football teams.

Mr MacAskill said: "It's time for crime to pay and for the cash criminals maketo flow back into our communities."

The SFA and the Scottish Government have agreed to build on existing projects run by the Bank of Scotland. Last year than £2m was seized from criminals in just six months.