Andy Burnham Backs Ending Alcohol Ban in Football Stands

Andy Burnham has indicated that he could remove restrictions on consuming alcohol in football stands, arguing that it is unjust to treat football supporters differently when spectators at other sports are allowed to drink.

The prime minister, a devoted Everton supporter who continues to attend games, said there were grounds for testing a relaxation of the rules so football could be treated in the same way as rugby and cricket.

The proposal received support from the Football Supporters’ Association and the English Football League, although police representatives warned that changing the rules without fully assessing the potential safety consequences would be extremely reckless.

Burnham has opposed the restriction for many years, describing it as outdated and discriminatory because it originated during a period when alcohol contributed heavily to violence at football grounds.

Speaking to reporters while travelling to New York, Burnham said football supporters should not be treated differently from other sports fans. He argued that the law belonged to a very different period in football and that there was a strong case for ending this unequal treatment.

He added that the change could be introduced in several ways, including through a trial. Burnham said he remained committed to his longstanding position and saw no justification for applying different rules to supporters based on the sport they watch.

Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985, spectators in England and Wales are prohibited from drinking alcohol where they can see the pitch.

A supporter-led review of football governance published in 2021 recommended reconsidering the restriction and proposed testing alcohol sales within sight of the pitch at matches in the lower levels of English football.

A representative of the UK Football Policing Unit, which oversees football policing policy across England and Wales, said the organisation would welcome discussions with the prime minister to outline the difficulties that the proposed changes could create for policing and for the safety of spectators and stadium employees.

The representative said other sports do not experience the same degree of violence and criminal conduct among supporters, even though only a minority of football fans are responsible. Alcohol frequently contributes to disorder and violence, they added, making it irresponsible to encourage greater consumption during matches.

They also noted that legislative reforms were introduced for sound reasons after several football tragedies and the 1990 Taylor report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Football is currently experiencing its longest period without a major related disaster, they said, so substantial changes should not be made before evidence is thoroughly reviewed and experienced policing professionals are properly consulted.

An English Football League representative said the organisation would be open to reviewing rules introduced more than four decades ago, arguing that the legislation has failed to reflect major improvements in stadium operations, security and stewarding.

Football Supporters’ Association chair Tom Greatrex said the organisation has consistently maintained that fans should not face criminal penalties for drinking a pint while watching football, particularly when alcohol can be consumed from the same seat during a concert or rugby league fixture. He welcomed the prospect of reviewing the outdated legislation and said the association wanted to participate in the consultation.

Fans attending Women’s Super League and WSL2 fixtures have been allowed to consume alcohol while watching the pitch since the beginning of the current season. The change followed a successful 18-month trial and updated league regulations introduced during the summer, which allow clubs to offer the option without requiring them to do so.

Following the rule change, 25 of the 26 clubs in the two divisions of English women’s football chose to permit the practice at every home fixture. The sole exception involves Brighton & Hove Albion games held at Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium. However, Brighton allows supporters to drink within sight of the pitch when home fixtures take place at the Amex Stadium, including their recent match against Aston Villa. Crowd disorder has generally been less common at women’s football matches.