Should football fans be allowed to drink alcohol in the stands?

Football fans have not been allowed to drink in the stands for decades but Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in favour of changing the law

Andy Burnham has suggested he may look to remove the ban on drinking alcohol in the stands at football matches – which has stood since the 1980s.

The Prime Minister has claimed the law is “unfair” for fans, given that those who attend other sporting events are allowed to enjoy a pint from their seats. Burnham, a big Everton fan, is still a match-going supporter. He insists there is a case for ending the ban, with rugby and cricket fans all allowed to drink pints from the stands.

Burnham has long opposed the ban and said during his trip to the United States of America: “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.”

It was made illegal in 1985 due to concerns about hooliganism. The fan-led review of football governance in 2021 called for the ban to be re-examined and suggested piloting the sale of alcohol within sight of the pitch in lower-tier English football.

The potential change has been welcomed by the Football Supporters’ Association and the English Football League, but police suggested it would be “incredibly rash” to make changes without considering their impact on safety.