Should football fans be allowed to have a pint in the stands during a game? Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, certainly thinks so, and is calling for trials to see what impact lifting the ban on booze in the stands might have. ‘The days of hooliganism are gone’, he said. ‘Fans of other sports can drink in the stands but football fans cannot.’
The booze ban, in its present incarnation encourages fans to drink more ahead of the match
The Labour backbencher raised the issue in the House of Commons during a debate on the Football Governance Bill, proposing designated drinking zones in view of the pitch as a potential way forward. He says it is all about allowing fans who want to drink the ‘chance to do so responsibly’ and that it is an opportunity to give back to fans who support their teams loyally. The Football Supporters’ Association has given its backing to allocated drinking zone trials, pointing out: ‘In the past, this is actually something many clubs have called for too.’
Charters is no revolutionary – just someone who wants to prompt a wider debate. He accepts that a relaxing of the rules would not work on every occasion and that any changes should not apply to family zones in the stadium: ‘As a dad, I think it’s right that some parts of the ground should probably stay booze-free such as family areas.’
Why was any of this ever controversial? Legislation has been in place since 1985 banning fans from consuming alcohol in view of the pitch in the top five tiers of the men’s game in England. It came into effect as part of attempts to tackle hooliganism. There are oddities aplenty. Fans can booze happily enough in stadium bars – but if they take their drinks back to their seat, they risk arrest and a fine. Just as bizarre is that other sports are not affected in the same way. Fans watching professional rugby matches, for example, can generally drink a pint or two while sitting in the stands. It’s the same for spectators at cricket matches. Why should rugby and cricket fans be allowed to enjoy a drink while watching their chosen sport, but not football fans?
Meanwhile, the women’s game – bizarrely – is not covered by the ban and trials involving alcohol consumption in view of the pitch have been taking place. Four clubs – Bristol City, Southampton, Birmingham City and Newcastle – have taken part in a trial for certain games in the latter part of the season. The chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, Nikki Doucet, said it was about giving fans choices. Why should fans who pay good money to watch the men’s game not be allowed the same choices?
Charters deserves credit for raising the issue and highlighting how rules devised decades ago are outdated. The world of football has largely moved on from the hooligan problems of yesteryear. The drunken yobs are few and far between at matches, and the police are present in large numbers to deal with potential problems.
Yes, there will always be a few morons in the fan fraternity who behave badly – and worse – after a few drinks. But should their idiocy be allowed to ruin match day for everyone else? The booze ban, in its present incarnation, also encourages some fans to drink much more ahead of the match. How daft is that? All Charters is proposing is a few limited trials and a wider national conversation. Bring it on.
Comments