SNP ministers looking at lifting booze ban at football grounds

Ministers are giving ‘serious consideration’ to lifting the 44-year ban on football fans drinking alcohol at matches in Scotland.

Drinking was outlawed in 1980 after supporters brawled at the Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic.

Supporters can now only drink in corporate hospitality sections on matchdays.

The Scottish Government – which has taken other measures on alcohol, such as minimum pricing – has indicated that the ban could be lifted. 

However, the charity Alcohol Focus Scotland said it would be ‘a step in the wrong direction’ after the number of deaths caused by alcohol was this month revealed to be at a 15-year high.

A move to ease restrictions was suggested by SNP MSP George Adam to help struggling football clubs generate extra revenue and enhance the social experience for fans.

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He told Inverness-based MFR News: ‘Things have moved on in football and we need to look at this as a way of helping football clubs being able to generate more money.

‘You already have alcohol at football games in corporate, it’s just a case of finding other areas or zones in grounds to do that and make sure it’s a safe and controlled environment.’

Mr Adam, the MSP for Paisley, tabled a written question at Holyrood this week ‘to ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider allowing football clubs to sell alcohol at games, allowing clubs the opportunity to offer fans a chance to meet up and enjoy a pint before games.’

Sports Minister Maree Todd said: ‘The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing the significant impact of alcohol harm on the nation’s health through a range of measures including the forthcoming increase to Minimum Unit Pricing.

‘However, we also recognise the calls for football fans to have the same opportunities as fans at other sports and events and we will continue to engage with the football authorities, supporters’ groups and clubs on ways to enhance the fan experience.’ 

Health Secretary Neil Gray added: ‘We’ve not had any proposal yet from football authorities as to what that would look like or how that would be managed, but any proposal will be given serious consideration in light of the situation we’re talking about on the risk to harm.’

Excessive alcohol consumption was deemed to be one of the main causes of the violence which flared after the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on May 10, 1980, and drinking at sports grounds was banned.

Alcohol Focus Scotland, which works to reduce the harm caused by drinking, said it would oppose any suggestion of lifting the ban.

Saying it would be ‘a step in the wrong direction’, the charity’s chief executive Alison Douglas added: ‘They should be taking urgent action to prevent and reduce alcohol harm, rather than considering making alcohol more available at matches.’

She added: ‘People are free to have a drink before and after football matches.

‘A 90-minute circuit breaker on matchday drinking allows people and families to enjoy matches in a safer and more inclusive environment.’