POLICE Scotland has told the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) that they are "open to discussions" regarding a potential ease on football’s booze ban after more than 40 years.
Scottish football fans have not been allowed to drink in stadiums across the country since 1980, with only supporters in hospitality allowed that privilege.
Documents revealed via a freedom of information act request shows that several pilot projects were prepared for First Minister John Swinney ahead of his attendance at Scotland’s match against Croatia last November.
Minutes of a subsequent “Enhancing Scottish Football Roundtable” held in early December show that the Scottish Government told the Police and SPFL bosses that they were “committed to considering any proposals to allow the sale of alcohol in football grounds.”
The First Minister reiterated his stance on Wednesday, telling reporters: “I understand the aspiration amongst football clubs and some football interests to take forward measures to address the ban on alcohol in football stadiums, I’m not sympathetic to that."
He continues: “I understand where they’re coming from, but I am not sympathetic to that. I think we’ve got a set of arrangements in place just now that work, that are appropriate, that are necessary, and I think we should stick with them.”
"We have no plans to go down such a route because it's important that we take all necessary steps that we can to ensure that we address the country's relationship with alcohol and that we have a safe and supportive sporting environment for all,” he told Clyde radio.
In the briefing paper, the First Minister was told 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.”
“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.”
The sale of alcohol at football stadiums in Scotland has been banned following disorder at the 1980 Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic, which saw a mass pitch invasion and significant violence.
Ministers have faced criticism when Scottish rugby supporters were entitled to drink alcohol in major matches at Hampden, even though football fans have been denied.
While Swinney’s briefing paper tells him “there are no plans at this time to remove the existing general restrictions on alcohol at football matches in Scotland” it goes on to say the government does “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.”
At the roundtable on December 4, Calum Beattie, Chief Operating Officer of the SPFL pointed out that Police Scotland “already categorise lower risk games, and that this could potentially be used to enable alcohol to be sold in the ground.”
He said that while there were “legitimate concerns about the behaviour of a small minority of supporters”, it was “considered counterproductive to treat all supporters the same and engaging on this issue could possibly help to address wider behavioural problems.”
Beattie then called for football fans to “have the same rights as rugby and other sports”.
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.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson told The Herald: “A reintroduction of alcohol at football matches in Scotland would be a matter for Scottish Government and the footballing authorities."
