Why Andy Burnham has now been forced into surprise U-turn on alcohol ban inside football stadiums

Andy Burnham's plans to potentially lift the ban on drinking alcohol in football stands appear to have been shelved following concerns from police and Whitehall officials.

The Prime Minister had argued that football supporters were being treated differently from fans at other sports, but the cost and policing implications have created a major obstacle.

Prime Minister forced to scrap plans to abolish alcohol ban inside football stadiums

Burnham had previously suggested that the ban on drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch could be removed, potentially through a trial, arguing that football supporters should not be treated differently from fans at other sports.

The rules have been in place since 1985, when concerns over football hooliganism led to alcohol being prohibited in view of the pitch at matches in the top five tiers of English football.

However, police have raised concerns about the potential impact of allowing alcohol back into football stands.

The UK Football Policing Unit argued that football continues to experience levels of violence and criminal behaviour not seen in other sports and called for meaningful consultation before any changes were made.

The latest issue is understood to be the financial impact on policing.

Sky News reports that Whitehall advice suggested police forces could argue that football matches with alcohol consumption would require additional policing that could not be funded through general taxation.

That has reportedly led to the plans being shelved almost immediately, meaning the existing restrictions on drinking alcohol in the stands remain in place.

Burnham had previously maintained that he believed there was a case for changing the rules and suggested a trial could be considered.

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The proposed change has run into a practical obstacle rather than simply a question of whether supporters should be allowed to drink in the stands.

Police concerns over disorder and the potential cost of additional matchday policing have now put the idea on hold.

For football supporters, whom many did not want to see change, the existing rules therefore look set to remain for the time being.