Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for the ban on football fans drinking alcohol in stadium stands to be scrapped, describing the law as discriminatory and outdated. Mr Burnham stated that targeting football spectators is unfair when followers of other sports are permitted to drink while watching their teams.
The restriction, established during the 1980s due to fears of hooliganism, applies to the top five tiers of English men’s football. Mr Burnham, an Everton fan, said the policy was created during "an era when football was very different."
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments, noting that successful pilots of alcohol in stands have occurred within the women’s game. FSA chairman Tom Greatrex said the legislation is outdated and deserves review.
However, a UK Football Policing Unit spokesperson warned that making adjustments without full consultation with forces would be "incredibly rash." The spokesperson highlighted that other sports do not experience the same level of violence and criminal behaviour from supporters as football, with alcohol often playing a significant part.
Police chiefs have offered to meet with Mr Burnham to explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans.