Andy Burnham says football fans are being singled out by the long-standing alcohol ban, and he wants it reviewed on a trial basis. Speaking while on a trip to the UN in New York, he said: "I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point."
The case for a trial
Burnham also argued the law belongs to a different era. "I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different," he said, before adding: "And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis."
The law still makes drinking alcohol in the stands at football matches in the top five tiers of English football illegal. It was outlawed in 1985 because of concerns over hooliganism, and the Football Supporters' Association says it is outdated and deserves to be reviewed.
Tom Greatrex, the FSA chairman, said: "We welcome the prime minister's comments and totally agree that the legislation is outdated and deserves to be reviewed."
Police opposition and the next step
The UK Football Policing Unit has warned against moving too quickly. A spokesman said: "Other sports simply don't see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour."
It added: "It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games."
Government sources have not ruled out a trial or pilot scheme, but nothing has been approved and no wider change is currently planned. The immediate debate now sits between Burnham's call for a trial and the police warning that relaxing the rules would be a mistake.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
