UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has backed calls for football supporters to be allowed to drink alcohol in the stands – comments which could add fresh momentum to a long-running debate involving Celtic and Scottish football.
Burnham has described the existing legislation in England as outdated and discriminatory, arguing football supporters should not be treated differently from those attending other sports.
Alcohol has been banned from general sale at Scottish football grounds since the disorder surrounding the 1980 Scottish Cup final, although limited trials have recently allowed sales in concourse areas at Hampden.
Celtic have previously pushed for restrictions to be relaxed, with Scottish football clubs potentially standing to generate additional matchday revenue from alcohol sales.
Speaking this week, Burnham said: “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. It could happen 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.”
The Prime Minister’s position has not been universally welcomed, with the UK Football Policing Unit warning against changing the rules without extensive consultation and pointing towards the role alcohol can play in football-related disorder.
However, Burnham’s intervention is likely to be of interest in Scotland, where supporters of football have long questioned why different rules apply compared with sports such as rugby.
Any alteration to Scottish rules would require separate action, but having the Prime Minister publicly advocate reform in England provides another talking point for Celtic and others who have pushed for the current restrictions to be reconsidered.
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