Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a staunch Everton fan, said it was unfair that football supporters can’t enjoy a match-day pint in the stands like rugby or cricket fans
The decades-long ban on football fans drinking alcohol in the stands could be lifted, Andy Burnham has signalled.
The Everton-mad Prime Minister said it was unfair that supporters can’t enjoy a match-day pint in the stands like rugby or cricket fans. He said outdated legislation meant football fans were “singled out” and there was a case to review the rules.
But a move to rip up the ban is likely to meet with heavy pushback from the police, who have argued boozing on terraces fuels disorder.
Drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch has been banned in England and Wales since 1985 under a law introduced by Margaret Thatcher to crack down on football hooliganism at a time when matchday violence was high. The current rules apply within 15 minutes of kick-off and the final whistle.
Fans are still allowed to have a pint inside the concourse under the current rules. But critics say this can mean people binge drink before matches or rush to down their drinks during half time.
Mr Burnham was grilled on his previous criticism of the ban before he became Prime Minister. Asked if he would scrap it, he said: “I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point.
“I think 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, perhaps 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.”
Toffees fan Mr Burnham previously said it was wrong that he could have a drink watching rugby league at the club’s Hill Dickinson Stadium but not during the football.
In a social media clip while holding a pint, he said: “How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can’t do that at an Everton home game? There’s something wrong there, we need to take a look at that.”
Tom Greatrex, chair of the Football Supporters’ Association, 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 whilst 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.”
A fan-led review of football governance in 2021 suggested piloting alcohol sales on terraces in League Two and National League games to help lower league clubs boost their coffers. Pilots have been carried out in the women’s game but not for men’s matches.
Ex-Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, who led the review, told the Mirror: “Running a pilot on permitting alcohol in the stands was a key recommendation of the fan led review and this will be welcome news for clubs lower down the pyramid, where every penny of income helps with financial stability.”
York Outer MP Luke Charters told the Mirror: “I absolutely welcome the comments the PM’s made on this, he’s totally spot on.”
But police chiefs have warned relaxing the law could fuel disorder. Mark Roberts, the head of UK Football Policing, said at the time there was a “clear correlation in and around football between alcohol and poor behaviour.”
And earlier this year he warned that the relaxation of licensing laws in England for the World Cup contributed to the disturbing rise in violence.
A UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) spokesperson said, “The UKFPU would welcome a meeting with the Prime Minister 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.
“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.
“Following a number of football-related tragedies, changes in legislation were implemented after the Taylor Report for good reason and we are currently in the longest ever period without a significant football related disaster. It would be incredibly rash to make fundamental changes without a full examination of the evidence and meaningful consultation with police practitioners who have the expertise in this area.”
