Burnham: Alcohol ban in football stands ‘discrimination’
The UK Football Policing Unit has warned that changing the 1985 law without a full review of the evidence would be “incredibly rash”.
The ban on drinking alcohol in the stands at men’s football matches is “discrimination” and there is a case for removing it, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said.
Laws prevent fans from drinking in view of the pitch at stadiums for clubs in the top five tiers of men’s football in England. Other sports face no such restriction.
BBC News reported on 23 September that Burnham, speaking to reporters on a trip to the United Nations in New York, was asked whether that long-held view still stood in Downing Street.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out,” Burnham said.
“I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different,” the prime minister added. “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.”
Government sources stressed that Burnham was restating a long-held personal opinion rather than announcing a policy change, and the comments are not seen inside government as a sign that the law will change.
A trial has not been ruled out, but any wider move would require extensive consultation with football clubs, fans and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. No such consultation was planned when Burnham spoke.
Burnham, a season-ticket holder at Everton, criticised the restriction shortly before becoming prime minister, at a rugby league game at the club’s Hill Dickinson Stadium where supporters could drink in the stands.
The restriction was introduced in 1985 by Margaret Thatcher’s government and covered English and Welsh football grounds. Leon Brittan, then home secretary, said alcohol was “a major contributory factor in violent and disorderly behaviour” inside stadiums.
A UK Football Policing Unit spokesperson said changing the law would pose “challenges” for 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,” the spokesperson said.
Tom Greatrex, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Association, said it was “unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match” when “you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league”.
Greatrex said “many clubs” backed a change to the “outdated” law.
A fan-led review of football governance called for the law to be re-examined in 2021.
All Women’s Super League clubs have been allowed to serve alcohol to supporters in the stands this season, after two seasons of trials.