Football League clubs want alcohol ban at stadiums lifted so fans can drink beer in seats

In 1985, a law prohibiting people from consuming alcohol within view of the pitch was introduced.

But talkSPORT has revealed nine sides are coming together to argue the game has moved on since.

The regulations have led to bizarre situations, with tarpaulins put up in the Stadium MK away end to block the view of the pitch from the concourse.

Norwich Holiday Inn customers have even been advised not drink in their rooms because of its location between the stands of Carrow Road.

Sunderland and Ipswich are leading the charge and calling for a pilot scheme to be introduced.


Doncaster Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Port Vale, Forest Green Rovers, Lincoln City, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town are also on board, while Grimsby Town, Newport County and Gillingham  are open to discussion.

The plans would only apply in matches without a fierce rivalry, stands with easy access to the concourse and only run for one half during the trial.

Sunderland told talkSPORT: “At the Stadium of Light, concert-goers can watch Kings of Leon whilst enjoying a pint, but cannot when watching their football team. This seems discriminatory to football fans.”

Supporters can sup on alcohol when watching rugby and cricket – even when the games are being played at traditional football grounds like Old Trafford.

And it has been claimed that football supporters are unfairly singled out as being more prone to incident.

The Football Supporters Federation is backing the calls, with spokesperson Amanda Jacks insisting: “When the laws were drafted they were a knee-jerk reaction to problems at the time.

"Nobody thought them through properly and certainly didn’t foresee that in 2018 we would be talking about football fans being singled out from the rest of society.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are satisfied that existing legislation is necessary and appropriate.”

They added that football has “unique public order risks” and “many incidents of football-related disorder are spontaneous, involving offenders who have consumed alcohol, often to excess.”

 

 

 

 

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