Force for policing UK football matches accused of ‘bringing Hillsborough’ into drinking-in-the-stands debate
PM Andy Burnham said: “We are fundamentally sceptical of any law which is only targeted at football supporters”
English football’s leading fans’ group has criticised the UK Football Policing Unit for “bringing Hillsborough into the debate” around drinking in sight of the pitch.
The topic of changing the law to allow fans to drink at their seat or in the stands has resurfaced after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the rules were outdated and should be scrapped.
Namely, he referred to the ban on drinking during matches as “legislation which is decades old and was written through the prism of viewing all football fans as potential hooligans”.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) immediately backed his call, which would seemingly allow fans to drink in the stands during matches again.
But the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) urged caution, stating: “Following a number of football-related tragedies, changes in legislation were implemented after the Taylor Report for good reason and we are currently in the longest ever period without a significant football-related disaster.”
The UKFPU added it would be “incredibly rash to make fundamental changes without a full examination of the evidence”.
The Taylor Report referenced by the UKFPU was commissioned in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which resulted in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.
The FSA hit back in a thread on its X (formerly Twitter) account: “Arguably the most important point is that the UK Football Policing Unit’s comments bringing Hillsborough into this debate have to be corrected. The disaster was not caused by alcohol. Full stop.
“Fans were ‘unlawfully killed and a catalogue of failings by police and the ambulance services contributed to their deaths’.”
A spokesperson for the UKFPU said: “It was not our intention to link the issue of alcohol with the Hillsborough tragedy. The laws around alcohol, which we acknowledge were first introduced in 1985, are one of a range of measures in addition to the subsequent Taylor Report recommendations that have contributed to making football much safer for fans in this country.”
Mr Burnham’s comments have sparked a social media debate on the topic, where differing views have been expressed by match-going fans.
The FSA’s post on Thursday added: “It’s unfair to criminalise fans for having a pint – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.
“We are fundamentally sceptical of any law which is only targeted at football supporters.
“That doesn’t mean every club should be forced to serve alcohol to every seat! A club should have the choice to do what is right for its fans. Consultation is critical, some stadiums or stands might not be suitable (e.g. family areas) whereas it might be popular elsewhere.
“Ultimately, we think clubs, in liaison with their supporters, should be able to determine what is best for themselves, rather than relying on legislation which is decades old and was written through the prism of viewing all football fans as potential hooligans.”
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales in the top five men’s leagues.
Mr Burnham said on Wednesday: “I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point.
“I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different.
“And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done, perhaps on a trial basis.
“But I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently from others.”