Andy Burnham raises football alcohol-ban trial as police urge caution

Andy Burnham has raised the possibility of a trial allowing football supporters to drink alcohol within sight of the pitch, arguing that the existing restrictions treat them differently from fans of other sports. The Guardian reported that the prime minister discussed the issue with reporters while travelling to New York, without announcing a decision to lift the ban.

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Burnham, an Everton supporter, said his longstanding opposition reflected changes in football since the legislation was introduced. He suggested a trial could offer one route to reform and contrasted the treatment of football crowds with those attending rugby and cricket. His comments drew support from the English Football League and the Football Supporters' Association, alongside objections from football policing officials.

According to the Guardian, the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 prohibits drinking within sight of the pitch in England and Wales. The issue was also addressed by the 2021 fan-led review of football governance, which recommended reconsidering the restrictions and proposed testing alcohol sales in view of the pitch at lower-tier English football matches.

The UK Football Policing Unit said it wanted to meet Burnham to discuss the potential consequences for policing and the safety of supporters and staff. It argued that alcohol remains a factor in violent and disorderly behaviour among a minority of football fans. The unit called for examination of the evidence and consultation with police practitioners before fundamental changes were made.

The EFL said it would welcome a review, arguing that legislation introduced more than four decades ago had not kept up with improvements in stadium management, safety and stewarding. FSA chair Tom Greatrex also supported reconsidering the rules, highlighting that spectators can drink while watching other events from the same seats. He said the association wanted to participate in consultation.

The discussion comes after a separate change in women's football. The Guardian reported that WSL and WSL2 clubs gained the option to permit drinking in view of the pitch this season following an 18-month trial. Twenty-five of the 26 clubs adopted it for all home fixtures. Brighton's matches at Crawley's Broadfield Stadium remain an exception, although the club permits it for women's games at the Amex Stadium.