Andy Burnham responds to backlash over possible scrapping of football stadium drinking ban

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Chancellor Andy Burnham has responded to widespread backlash over the potential scrapping of the ban on drinking at football stadiums.

Earlier this week, Burnham told reporters he would repeal the law banning fans from drinking in the stands.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits the consumption of alcohol at stadiums in England and Wales. Rugby, cricket and other sporting events allow this.

ITV News’ Líse McNally said: “You want to consider abolishing alcohol-fueled football stands. The police chief has raised safety concerns and fans have told us they don’t want to be full of beer every time a goal is scored. Do you think you have a tendency to say what’s popular first and think about practicality later?”

Andy Burnham replied: “Obviously not on this issue because I don’t think most people think the same way.

“I didn’t actually go public with it. I was asked a question and I just gave an honest answer, and my honest answer was why are fans treated differently to rugby league fans, rugby league fans, cricket fans? What’s the legal rationale for treating fans differently?

“I firmly believe that we should let the club and the fans decide this matter.

“I think the law is outdated, especially when you think about lower league or non-league football, and I think if you improve people’s experience more people might go and actually clubs can make more money, so that’s another angle as well.

“So I’m just giving you my personal perspective. I’m not planning to introduce legislation anytime soon, but if someone asks me a question, I’ll try to give an honest answer, and that’s my honest feeling.

“I don’t understand why people watching rugby league at Hill Dickinson Stadium can stand there with a pint of beer but people getting older during the Everton season can’t. Personally I don’t think that’s right and I don’t agree with those who say it’s going to be like a box park.

“That’s not the case, people can now bring drinks into football stadiums rather than just throwing them onto the pitch or at each other.

“So I’m concerned that it shows that people are commenting on people who don’t normally go to games and those are just my personal views.”

Andy Burnham set to scrap laws banning fans from drinking in the stands

Here’s how fans reacted after Andy Burnham’s backlash over the potential scrapping of the ban on drinking in football stadiums…

@_LiamLFC_: No idea who he is talking to, most of the critics are fans watching the game

@georgia_wwfc: Actually fans objecting to live games

@starrock77: If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter. Just because people are allowed to drink in the stands doesn’t mean they have to. So if the fans watching the game don’t want it, then like you said, it’s still not going to happen.

@NathanOfLondon: No, I’m a season ticket holder, playing for my club and every fan I know doesn’t want this. Totally out of touch.

@stolzUTB: He’s right about that. Most of the people throwing parts were part-time players for the England team rather than regular fans of the game. Who would risk getting kicked out and possibly a ban/suspended ticket for throwing a drink anyway?

@OwenReeman3: He couldn’t be more wrong. The people who made the comments are people who go to the games regularly and know that allowing alcohol into the stands is stupid. 3-0 against Cambridge and had the very unnatural reaction of drinking a pint of beer. Doesn’t work

@Only1NicolaMCFC:@andyburnham I have a season card at Manchester City – I don’t want to implement this nonsense! I witnessed plastic cups filled with “liquid” being thrown by away fans at a Champions League match. I would stop going because I would feel a little unsafe

@smaffoo: Does he want to see my futbology? Of course, if you get more people to drink beers during dramatic moments, they’ll throw them away

@100glitterstars: Burnham holds a minority opinion and should give in. A YouGov survey of more than 6,000 adults showed that 64% of fans attending matches and 68% of the public believe drinking restrictions should remain in place. But his pride did not allow him to do so.

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

@tomjones1875:Guess git, I’ve been a season pass holder for over 40 years, I disagree with him and I think I’m entitled to my own opinion based on real life experience.

@RogGorst2: I have been watching Plymouth Argyle for 30 years and, like most people I know, I am completely opposed to the lifting of the alcohol ban. That’s it. The people who want this to end are the day trippers who rarely go to the races. He just does it to gain popularity

@KellyGrish: When we scored in Krakow and Leipzig we all drank beers and I think only those who went to the games knew #cpfc

@danhibbertSWFC: I have a season ticket with swfc for 11 years, I’m 18 and don’t drink. Why is it necessary, the fans watching the game don’t want it? People would throw the ball at opponents, fans, officials to celebrate the 20th-minute goal that tied the game. Can a person really go without drinking for 45 minutes? hurry up



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