Education Secretary Lucy Powell has warned that repealing the ban on football fans drinking in the stands could put the "good behaviour" it has encouraged "at risk". Her comments come after Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested the ban was outdated and unfair.
Prime Minister's proposal
Mr Burnham had said it was unfair for football fans to be singled out when supporters of other sports were able to drink while watching their teams. The ban was put in place during the 1980s when concerns about hooliganism were at their height and covers the top five tiers of English men's football.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday, Ms Powell said: "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."
She added: "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."
Political reaction
Ms Powell said "it can be done" as "we don't see bad behaviour" at cricket, rugby and other sports matches where drinking is allowed. She continued: "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."
Senior Conservative Helen Whately said her party would look very carefully at the Prime Minister's proposals. Speaking during a visit to south London, the shadow work and pensions secretary told the Press Association: "We will have to look at what the Prime Minister is suggesting on alcohol at football matches."
She added: "Of course, I understand that if you're going to a football match, you might want to have a drink while you're there. That hasn't been possible in recent years because of safety, but I understand that Government's going to be looking at it again."
Support and opposition
Mr Burnham had said the ban was outdated, discriminatory and should be scrapped. The Everton fan said it was a measure from "an era when football was very different".
The Football Supporters' Association (FSA) welcomed the Prime Minister's words and said successful pilots of alcohol in the stands had been carried out in the women's game. But police chiefs warned it would be "incredibly rash" to make changes without proper consultation with forces.
Mr Burnham told reporters: "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."
He added: "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 from others."
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales in the top five men's leagues.
FSA 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 whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league."
He added: "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."
A UK Football Policing Unit spokesman said police chiefs would welcome a meeting with Mr Burnham to "explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans".
The spokesman 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."
He added: "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."
Mr Burnham previously raised the issue shortly before entering No 10 in July, when rugby league fans were able to drink while watching matches at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. He was at the ground with friends, including Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram, who were holding pints of beer, and said: "How come these lads can do that 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."
