Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reignited the debate over the 41-year ban on drinking alcohol in view of the pitch at top English football matches, calling the law 'discrimination' against football fans. The ban, introduced in 1985 under Margaret Thatcher's government following hooliganism concerns, currently applies to the top five men's leagues in England and Wales.
Why the ban was introduced
The legislation followed a period of high-profile crowd trouble. In March 1985, a riot during the Luton Town v Millwall FA Cup clash halted the match for 25 minutes. Two months later, 39 people died and 600 were injured in the Heysel stadium disaster, when crowd trouble led to a crush at the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, resulting in English teams being banned from European tournaments for five years.
Since then, attending live football matches has become a far more family-friendly activity, and the Prime Minister's intervention has divided opinion among fans.
Fans and pub-goers weigh in
At the Tollgate pub near Old Trafford, Manchester United season ticket holder and pub manager Adam Dillnutt, 38, is not worried about the impact on trade, as alcohol is already sold on concourses before matches and at half-time. Instead, he worries about the matchday experience. "Where I sit it's chaos," he said. "I'm in the Stretford End, in the singing section. I think beer would end up spilt everywhere where I am. When a goal goes in, everyone would be throwing pints everywhere. Me personally, I don't think I would like it."
Bartender Martin Johnson, 35, a Manchester City fan, said: "I don't see why not. It's not going to cause trouble. You are only there 90 minutes with a break anyway, you are not going to have that many [pints]." He also suggested the change could help parents bringing kids to games, noting "a lot of pubs don't let kids in."
Tollgate regular Geraldine Marsh, 70, said: "I don't mind them bringing it back - bring back that bit of atmosphere. I know there used to be trouble, but they're more sensible now." Her husband Frank Marsh, 72, was less certain: "I don't know really, if they have plastic pots they will end up throwing them. It's a hard question, very hard."
Tommy Grants, 63, an "old Stretford Ender," recalled the 1970s and 80s when drinking on terraces was common, but said "back in the day, when we were playing the likes of Man City, Leeds, it would be brutal." He suggested clubs might consider not allowing alcohol "for certain matches" with heated rivalries.
Political and policing response
Mr Burnham first questioned the ban in July, when his beloved Everton's home ground hosted rugby league's Magic Weekend. He said at the time: "How come these lads can do that [drink pints] in my seat here when we can't do that at an Everton home game? Something wrong there. I think we need to look at that."
Earlier this week, 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."
Sacha Lord, chair of the Night Time Industries Association, tweeted that the move would be a 'lifeline' to struggling lower league clubs, adding: "I've just spoken to a director of a club in the National League, who thinks this is worth minimum 100k per season. Brilliant move."
Football Supporters' Association chair 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 whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league. Many clubs are in favour as well."
However, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) warned it would be 'incredibly rash to make fundamental changes' without 'meaningful consultation' with specialist police. A spokesperson said: "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."
A YouGov poll published on Thursday (September 24) found that 64 per cent of respondents who had attended a match said the ban should remain, while 26 per cent said it should be abolished, and 10 per cent didn't know. Among regular attendees, 63 per cent favoured keeping the ban. More than half felt lifting it would worsen the matchday experience.
Education secretary Lucy Powell, Labour's deputy leader and Manchester Central MP, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I go to the football most weekends with my young son and, you know, 30 years ago that probably wouldn't have been all that comfortable an environment for a mum and their child to go to, but things have changed significantly. And that's why we've been able to reintroduce safe standing, for example, which is something that fans want. So I think it's a conversation we need to have to make sure that we keep the great atmosphere... I think we need to do this in consort with fans and with football, so that we make sure we keep the really good atmosphere, the good behaviour, and we don't put that at risk."
