Andy Burnham ‘considering’ reversing stadium fan restriction in place since 1980s

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering reviewing the restrictions that prevent football fans from drinking alcohol in the stands.

The restrictions have been in place since 1985, but a government spokesperson has confirmed that they are weighing up a review.

Andy Burnham could reverse 1985 ban

Margaret Thatcher's government introduced the ban as a measure to combat football hooliganism, with the Sporting Events Act fast-tracked in the wake of the Heysel Stadium disaster.

Other sports like rugby and cricket were not affected by the ban and Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer as Prime Minister earlier this month, has said it is “wrong” that football fans cannot drink alcohol in the stands.

Burnham is an Everton supporter and was attending a rugby league match at the club's Hill Dickinson Stadium when he said: “How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can’t do that at an Everton home game?

“There’s something wrong there, we need to take a look at that.”

Just weeks after his comments, it has been confirmed that the government is considering a review of the ban.

“We are considering the case being made by some clubs and supporter groups for reviewing the current restrictions on alcohol consumption at football matches,” the spokesperson said

“The safety of football fans remains our priority, and any future consideration of changes would need to be evidence-led and informed by the views of policing and safety authorities, as well as clubs, supporters and other partners across the football sector.”

A fan-led review of football in 2021, chaired by former sports minister Tracey Crouch, recommended the ban be lifted as part of a pilot scheme at League Two and National League level.

“Our view on alcohol and football is outdated,” Crouch said at the time. “It's not helped when you see scenes like we did at Wembley [at the Euro 2020 final]. But that's why I would pilot it first. Let's get the data.

“My view is not some kind of altruistic view that fans should be able to drink at football. It's also about allowing clubs to be able to sustain themselves. We can look at things like an independent regulator as part of this process. But football has to take a bit of responsibility for itself and sustain itself better.

“We kettle people into drinking quickly at half-time. And that is the unhealthy aspect of the football fan's relationship with alcohol. They drink a lot in a short space of time. So my recommendation is to pilot this and not have to down a pint at half-time.

“Take a club like Dulwich Hamlet, which is in National League South. Its revenue is generated through its refreshments. If it gets promoted to the National League Premier [which operates under the alcohol ban], it effectively stops generating that revenue during a game. They said openly in evidence to us that they cannot afford to get promoted because of the rules around alcohol.

“Lots of clubs generate a lot of their income through their bars and I think it's time to look at this issue again. We do have this bizarre situation where you can go to Headingley and drink as a cricket fan, but go to Elland Road and you can't drink as a football fan.”

FGG says: A good move for fans and clubs alike

The SPFL and WSL have both had pilot schemes allowing fans to drink in the stands in recent years, with the WSL stating earlier this year that the feedback from their pilot has been “overwhelmingly positive”.

Hopefully a similar pilot can be introduced for men's football in England, with a view to reversing the ban altogether if the pilot is successful in improving the matchday experience for fans and allowing clubs to maximise revenue.