Burnham brands ban on football fans drinking alcohol in stands as 'discrimination'

Andy Burnham has described the prohibition of alcohol consumption by fans in the stands during men’s football matches as a form of “discrimination.” Speaking to reporters, the prime minister expressed his belief that it is unfair to single out football supporters in this way and suggested the possibility of trialling a change to the current rules.

Since 1985, a law has prevented the consumption of alcohol in view of the pitch at football stadiums across the top five tiers of men’s football in England. Notably, fans of other sports are not subject to such restrictions. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has called for a review of what it terms “outdated” legislation, while police officials have raised concerns about relaxing the rules. They have sought a meeting with Burnham to outline the difficulties involved in policing football events if changes were made.

This legislation was originally introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s government, with then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan citing alcohol as a key factor contributing to violent and disorderly conduct at football grounds. Burnham, an avid football enthusiast and Everton FC season-ticket holder, had previously criticized these restrictions before becoming prime minister. He noted that at a rugby league match held at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, spectators were allowed to drink in the stands – a contrast highlighting the inconsistency in regulations across sports.

During a visit to the United Nations in New York, Burnham reaffirmed his stance, saying the legislation was created during a very different era of football. He suggested that the current rules constitute discrimination against football fans and proposed that any relaxation of the law might be trialled on a temporary basis first. However, he emphasized that a broader change would require comprehensive consultation involving football clubs, fans, and governmental departments, something that is not imminent at present.

A spokesman for the UK Football Policing Unit warned that modifying the law would pose significant challenges in terms of ensuring safety for both staff and fans during matches. He pointed out that other sports do not experience the same levels of violence and criminal behaviour among spectators, and alcohol often plays a significant role in such incidents within football. The spokesman stressed that any fundamental changes should not be made hastily and must be preceded by thorough review and consultation with law enforcement experts.

Tom Greatrex, chairman of the FSA, criticized the current approach, arguing it is unjust to criminalize football fans for having a drink while watching a match, especially since drinking is permitted in similar settings such as music concerts or rugby league games. He mentioned that many football clubs support a change to the law and welcomed Burnham’s comments, describing the legislation as outdated and deserving of review.

Further prompting for reconsideration came from a fan-led review of football governance in 2021, which recommended re-examining the existing rules. This season has seen some relaxation of restrictions, with all Women’s Super League clubs permitted to sell alcohol to supporters in the stands after successful trial periods. In Scotland, alcohol sales within stadiums have been prohibited since 1981, but recently, trial sales have taken place, allowing fans to purchase alcohol at games held at Hampden Park

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