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.
Talk of changing the law to allow fans to drink at their seat or in the stands has resurfaced after Andy Burnham, the prime minister, said the rules were outdated and discriminatory and should be scrapped.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) immediately backed his call but the 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 UKFPU would welcome a meeting with the prime minister to discuss his views and explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans at football games.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour. It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games.”
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 published a thread on its X account setting out its position on drinking in the stands, which began: “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’.”
The UKFPU has been contacted for comment.
Burnham’s comments have sparked social media debate in which 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.
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“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 (eg 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.
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.”
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