Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants to see beer return to football stands.
Currently, it is against the law to drink in sight of the pitch at designated football matches. It was made illegal in 1985 due to concerns about hooliganism.
But Burnham – an Everton fan – said before he entered Downing Street that such a ban was wrong and, speaking while on a trip to the UN in New York this week, he said this is still the case.
The PM noted how supporters watching other sports are permitted to drink while watching the action. He said: “I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point. That legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“There are different ways it could be done – it could happen on a trial basis. But I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
Last month, Premier League CEO Richard Masters told Sky News’ Rob Harris that he would be open to a conversation with the Prime Minister on the topic.
“Forever and a day we haven’t felt the time is right to take that move,” he said. “It would be interesting to have that discussion with [Burnham].
“We haven’t got a specific view on that topic and we’d need to give it some really careful thought. It goes back a long way to some quite serious issues the game had. Maybe now the time is right to start that discussion but we don’t have a clear view.”
Fans in favour of a trial
The idea has been backed by the Football Supporters’ Association. Chairman Tom Greatrex said: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol while watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.
“Many clubs are in favour as well. WSL and WSL2 ran a successful pilot, meaning fans can now drink in the stands at many grounds, while the EFL has long supported a trial.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments and totally agree that the legislation is outdated and deserves to be reviewed. We look forward to being part of that consultation.”
In a poll on the Sky Sports website and App, 65 per cent of respondents said they would be in favour of legalising drinking in the stands (as of 10am, September 24).
Monterosa
This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once
Police say it would be ‘irresponsible’ to change rules
However, the police said it would be “incredibly rash” to change the rules without proper consultation.
The UK Football Policing Unit said it would like to meet with the PM to “discuss his views and explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans at football games”.
They added: “Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour.
“It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games.”
Analysis: Debate to be had on long-standing issue
Sky Sports News’ James Green:
“This key legislation came in back in 1985 as part of the Sporting Events Act. It was introduced due to major problems in Britain with crowd disorder, hooliganism and violence particularly in the 1970s and 1980s. It was part of a wider package of measures to control that behaviour
“It’s something football fans have been used to for many years in the top five tiers of football.
“There’s been a constant question about whether they should overturn that. We see it in other sports, NFL, cricket… Burnham has been consistent with this. He has spoken about it many times and now he’s PM, maybe it carries more weight.
“It’s gone down well in some parts, not so well in others. It will bring about debate.
“When you go to football, maybe you go to the pub beforehand. If you’re able to consume alcohol during the game would that mean people don’t go to the pub so early or drink as quickly and could that actually work out more safely? It’s something that’s going to be debated a lot, along with the cost of policing and the implications of that.”