SPFL bosses say Police Scotland told them they were open to discussions’ aimed at lifting Scottish football’s booze ban after more than 40 years, a document reveals.
First minister John Swinney said as recently as September that there were no plans to revisit the ban on sale of alcohol in Scottish football grounds which has been in place since crowd trouble at the 1980 Old Firm Scottish Cup final.
Beer kegs inside a ground at the Euros[/caption]
A glass of beer on football stadium background[/caption]
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney enjoys a drink at Marienplatz for the Euros[/caption]
But The Herald are reporting this evening on the presence of documents obtained via freedom of information which show that ‘a limited number of pilot projects’ are under consideration to allow booze to be sold to fans on concourses.
Ministers have faced criticism when Scottish rugby supporters were entitled to drink alcohol in major matches at Hampden, eve though football fans have been denied.
Mr Swinney told Radio Clyde back in September that they had “no plans to go down such a route” to ensure that “we have a safe and supportive sporting environment for all”.
But a briefing prepared for Mr Swinney ahead of his attendance at the recent Scotland vs Croatia match revealed the pilot projects.
Minutes of a roundtable including all stakeholders called ‘Enhancing Scottish Football’ in early December also showed that the government had said they were ‘committed to considering any proposals to allow the sale of alcohol in football grounds”
The briefing note claimed that Sport Minister Maree Todd had “expressed the clear view” to the SPFL that, “while the door is not closed on the issue, any proposals coming forward would need to recognise the significant impact of alcohol on public health in Scotland.”
The document goes on: “It is, however, recognised that in many if not most cases it is possible to have alcohol at football stadia at present anyway, either in approved fan zones or hospitality suites.
“Extending this to concourses in a limited number of pilot projects would be the proposed course of action, with evidence gathered to understand the results and impacts.
“We understand from the SPFL that Police Scotland are open to discussions on this.”
According to the minutes of the roundtable, SPFL Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie pointed out that Police Scotland already have the powers to categorise lower risk games.
He said “this mechanism could potentially be used to enable alcohol to be sold in the ground”.
While there were “legitimate concerns about the behaviour of a small minority of supporters”, he called for football fans to have “the same rights as rugby or other sports”
He added “considered counterproductive to treat all supporters the same and engaging on this issue could possibly help to address wider behavioural problems.”
The report of the meeting goes on to note that: “The public health concerns around a change in law were acknowledged.
“Notwithstanding these, the Scottish Government is committed to considering any proposals to allow the sale of alcohol in football grounds from the SPFL and SFA.”
As quoted in the Herald, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A reintroduction of alcohol at football matches in Scotland would be a matter for Scottish Government and the footballing authorities.”
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