Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested that legislation preventing football fans from drinking in the stands in England's top five divisions could be overturned. He called the rule, in place since 1985, 'outdated' and 'discriminatory'.
Burnham, a proud Evertonian who still holds a season ticket at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, said: "I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way. 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."
He added: "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."
Supporters of the change
Aaron Flanagan argues in favour of allowing drinking in the stands, saying the double standards imposed on football fans have needed addressing for a long time. He believes putting booze back on the terraces will not increase disorder, noting that fans inclined to misbehave have often already consumed alcohol before matches.
He contends that performative pint-throwing, a fad developed at Boxpark, would be quickly stopped by football fans themselves. "People do not pay their hard-earned cash to do the same at the football; they are paying for a very, very different experience - most notably to actually watch the game," he wrote.
Flanagan pointed out that fans in Germany, Netherlands, Italy and elsewhere in Europe can drink in the stands, and argued it is time to trust adults at football matches again.
Opponents of the change
James Whaling, a match-going fan of a third-tier club, opposes the idea. He said the last thing he wants is to be drenched by a warm pint of £6 Carling after his team equalises at Mansfield. While he enjoys beer before, at half-time and after the game, he argued that if fans cannot go 45 minutes without a pint, they have bigger issues.
Whaling agrees with the Prime Minister that football fans are still unfairly tarred by a reputation of yesteryear and treated like second-class citizens in many scenarios, but he believes the booze ban should stay. He cited concerns about performative pint throws filmed for TikTok and fans constantly shuffling past to go to the bar during the game.
