Andy Burnham, the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield, has signaled his intention to scrap the 1985 alcohol ban at football matches in England if he becomes Prime Minister. Speaking at a rugby league match, Burnham questioned the inconsistency in alcohol rules, noting that spectators can drink freely at rugby but not at football games. He stated, "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."
Background of the 1985 Act
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, which applies only to England, prohibits the consumption of alcohol within view of the playing area during a restricted period (15 minutes before the event to 15 minutes after). It also bans drunken entry into football grounds, alcohol on coaches and trains traveling to matches, and possession of fireworks or flares. The law was introduced following hooliganism incidents in the 1980s.
Support from Fellow MPs
Labour MP Luke Charters, who has been campaigning for the ban's reversal, praised Burnham's stance. Charters said, "It’s absolutely cracking news that Andy Burnham is backing the campaign to lift the ban on fans drinking in the stands. The current ban is a relic of Thatcherite-era snobbery about working-class football fans. It’s long past time we treated supporters like adults, just as we do in other sports here in the UK and in leagues around the world." He added, "It’s baffling that at the same seat in the stadium in my constituency you can have a pint watching York Knights but can’t when watching York City. Let’s give hardworking footie fans back something that should never have been taken away."
Potential Impact
If enacted, the change would align football with other sports such as rugby, cricket, and tennis, where alcohol consumption in stands is permitted. Critics, however, raise concerns about increased disorderly behavior. Burnham's proposal is part of a broader Labour platform focusing on modernizing outdated laws. The move could also boost matchday revenues for clubs through increased concessions sales.
