Adelaide Oval patrons will soon be served alcohol in cans after the facility's new liquor licence was approved.
The Stadium Management Authority (SMA) had applied to sell drinks in aluminium cans to reduce the amount of litter it has to process.
The Consumer and Business Services Commissioner approved the licence yesterday, reinstating the serving of canned beverages to customers in public areas instead of pouring them into plastic cups.
"This is just an extension of what we're already doing in our corporate areas," SMA chief operating officer Adam Vonthethoff told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Even though the cups used at Adelaide Oval are recyclable, Mr Vonthethoff said using fewer cups would be more environmentally friendly.
He said he was not aware of safety being an issue at sporting venues interstate or at the Beer and BBQ Festival at Wayville Showgrounds earlier this month.
He said SA Police had supported the application and noted "the proposed penalties for any person who was not acting in a safe manner".
The Police Association of South Australia raised concerns that cans would be used as projectiles against police.
Association president Mick Carroll said Police Commissioner Grant Stevens had committed a "massive about-face".
"He's simply dismissed police officers' concerns about their safety and instead sided with the Stadium Management Authority," Mr Carroll said.
"We know as an absolute matter of fact that thugs at sporting events have used full cans of beer as projectiles.
"It has happened before and it will certainly happen again. The SMA itself warns patrons at the ground not to use dangerous projectiles.
"I don't think any South Australian really buys the proposition that this is about the environment."
SA Unions secretary Dale Beasley said Adelaide Oval workers were not consulted about the change.
"There's currently no evidence that any health and safety assessment has been made before the Adelaide Oval sought to have their liquor license changed to allow for the sale of tinned beer," he said.
SA Best MLC Frank Pangallo said he would start drafting legislation to ban drinks from being served in cans and wants to call the SMA before the Budget and Finance Committee.
Drinks in cans would be served by late August during SANFL finals.
