Drinking at football matches - would fans welcome it?
When UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham embarked on his trip to the United Nations in New York, he might not have been expecting a question about football fans drinking alcohol in grounds. Burnham firml…
When UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham embarked on his trip to the United Nations in New York, he might not have been expecting a question about football fans drinking alcohol in grounds.
Burnham firmly believes the law that prevents supporters from having a beer at their seat during a match is outdated.
It's a position the Everton supporter has long held, and when asked was happy to reaffirm.
"I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination," said Burnham, who feels football fans are singled out compared to those of other sports and events.
There is no suggestion this is about to become official government policy, and last year MPs rejected a Conservative amendment to the Football Governance Bill that would have forced ministers to launch a formal consultation on scrapping the rule.
That was, of course, before Burnham returned to Downing Street.
It is a complicated and divisive issue, about not just safety. But is it something that match-going supporters actually want?
Drinking alcohol at football grounds in England and Wales has been strictly controlled since the Sporting Events Control of Alcohol Act was introduced in 1985.
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