FANS may once again be allowed to get on the booze in sight of a Premier League pitch with clubs set to campaign to end the 25-year ban on doing so.
Supporters have been banned from drinking alcohol from their seats since 1985 but things could be about to change.
English fans could soon be swigging beer in the stands after 25 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Premier League fans could have their booze ban endedCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
The legislation states that fans can drink away from their seats and 15 minutes either side of a game.
The Times report multiple clubs are believed to be negotiating over the law largely due to fears it “encourages binge drinking” among football fans.
There is no such booze ban for other popular sports in the UK like rugby and cricket and clubs are considering pushing the Premier League to change the status quo.
One suggestion is that a trial period with the law change could take place amid social distancing.
Fans are currently only allowed to drink away from their seatCredit: Getty – Contributor
Because when fans are eventually allowed to return to stadiums it could prevent them congregating together on the concourses if they were permitted to take their drink to their seat.
A top-flight chairman told The Times: “The ban actually encourages binge drinking, because you have fans trying to down three or four pints in an hour or less. A law change could promote more responsible drinking and behaviour.”
The Police are thought to be the biggest opponents of a change and the Home Office batted away similar calls in the EFL just a few years ago because of “football’s unique public order risks”.
TalkSPORT suggest Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Doncaster Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Port Vale, Forest Green Rovers, Lincoln City, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town are in favour of a pilot scheme.
Further clubs such as Gillingham, Newport County and Grimsby Town have shown interest in the movement.
A further issue that will have to be decided is whether booze can be served mid game with the potential for fans to be coming and going and obstructing others – a complaint regularly heard in rugby.
Liverpool fans continue their celebrations as they party through the night after Premier League victory
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
