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Andy Burnham responds to backlash over potentially scrapping the football stand drinking ban

Prime Minister Andy Burnham responds to widespread backlash over potentially scrapping the football stand drinking ban.

Earlier this week, Burnham told reporters that he is set to scrap the law that bans football fans from drinking in the stands.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985, prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales. It is allowed at rugby, cricket and other sporting events.

 

ITV News’ Líse McNally said: “You want to look at scrapping the alcohol batting football stands. Police chiefs have raised safety concerns, fans have told us they don’t want to be covered in beer every time a goal is scored. Do you think you have a slight tendency to say the popular thing first and think about the practicalities later?”

Andy Burnham replied: “Well clearly not on this issue because I don’t think there’s a majority of people who think the same way.

“I didn’t actually put this out myself into the public domain. I was asked a question and I just gave an honest answer and my honest answer is why are football fans treated differently from rugby league fans, rugby union fans, cricket fans? What is the justification for treating football fans differently in law?

“I believe very strongly that we should let this be a matter for clubs and supporters to decide.

“I think the law is outdated and particularly when you look at lower league or non-league football, I think if you improve the experience for people, more people might go and in fact clubs can make more more money so that is another angle as well.

“So I’m just giving you my personal view. I have no plans to bring forward legislation any time soon but if I am asked a question I try to give an honest answer and that is my honest feeling.

“I don’t see why at the Hill Dickinson Stadium someone watching rugby league there can stand there with a pint whereas someone who’s in Everton season to get older can’t. I personally don’t think that’s right and also I don’t agree with those who say it’ll be like a BoxPark.

“Well it isn’t, people can carry drinks into football stadiums now, they’re not just throwing them at the pitch or each other.

“So I’m afraid that suggests to me that people are commenting who don’t normally go to matches and these are just my personal views.”

Andy Burnham set to scrap the law that bans football fans from drinking in the stands

Here’s how fans reacted after Andy Burnham responds to backlash over potentially scrapping the football stand drinking ban…

@_LiamLFC_: Don’t know who he’s been speaking to, majority of critics are match going fans

@georgia_wwfc: It’s literally match going fans that are against it

@starrock77: If that’s the case it surely doesn’t matter then. Because allowing people to drink in the stands doesn’t mean they have to. So if match going fans don’t want it, it still won’t happen is what you’re saying.

@NathanOfLondon: No I’m a season ticket holder who goes home and away for my club, every fan I know doesn’t want this. Utterly out of touch.

@StozUTB: He’s right on this. Most people throwing parts are Part-Timers for England, not regular match going fans. Anyways who’ll risk being kicked out or even potentially banned/ticket revoked for throwing a drink?

@OwenReeman3: He couldn’t be more wrong. The people commenting ARE the ones who go to games regularly that know that allowing alcohol in the stands would be incredibly stupid. Going 3-0 vs Cambridge and doing the very unnatural reaction of launching a pint. Won’t work

@Only1NicolaMCFC: @andyburnham I have a season card at Manchester City- I don’t want this nonsense implemented!! I’ve witnessed at Champions League matches plastic cups of ‘liquid’ thrown by away fans. I would stop going as I would feel not feel safe at all

@smaffoo: Does he want to see my futbology lmao of course if you let more people have pints during dramatic moments they’ll throw them

@100glitterstars: Burnham holds a minority opinion and should back down. YouGov survey of over 6,000 adults shows that 64% of match-going fans and 68% of the general public believe the drink restrictions should remain in place. But his ego won’t let him.

@Kayep58: No they are not!! I’m a season ticket holder and I don’t want drunken boosy fans sitting by me, grow up and just look at it rationally

@TomJones1875: Patronising git, I’ve had a season ticket for well over 40 years & I don’t agree with him, think I’m entitled to my view based on real life experience.

@RogGorst2: I’ve been watching Plymouth Argyle for 30 years and am completely against scrapping the drinking ban as are most I know. It’s fine the way it is. The people who want to end this are the day trippers that rarely attend matches. He’s doing this solely to try and gain popularity

@KellyGerrish: Having been showered with beer when we scored in both Krakow and Leipzig, I think it’s the people who go to games who know #cpfc

@danhibbertSWFC: ive had a season ticket for 11 years at swfc, im 18 and dont drink. what is the need, match going fans dont want it? people will throw it at opponents n fans, officials, celebratin a goal in the 20th minute to go level. can people really go without drinkin for 45 minutes? come on

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