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Should Scottish football lift alcohol bans within stadiums like England?
YOU may have guessed by the lack of typos in the Inverness Courier in the last two weeks that I was on holiday.After swearing at too many failed attempts to fix my sliding mirror wardrobe in my bedroom, I could not bear to look at myself, literally, and decided to get away from it as far as I could.I decided to take the overnight train to London, which didn’t quell my temper, as one of the intoxicated passengers decided to do impressions of a motorbike until being removed from the seated carriage at Edinburgh.When I did arrive in London, amazingly the first time I have been there at the age of 41, I managed to get a ticket for Fulham against Brighton at Craven Cottage.It might have been the poshest atmosphere I have ever been in at a football match, but I don’t say that as a criticism. Once in the ground, there was disappointment of not offering scotch pies or Bovril. I did pay £7 for a “Minced Beef and Westcombe Cheddar Pie.” Despite its hefty price tag, it was delicious. I was going to settle for a tea when I noticed something on sale at the vendors which is not available in Scottish grounds, alcohol.
A fine selection of wines available at Fulham FC. But alcohol is still banned in Scottish football.Yes, within the stadium, not at a bar associated outside the ground before the ticket turnstiles, fully within the concourse of the stadium.You weren’t allowed to bring your alcoholic drink to your seat within view of the pitch, but food kiosks in the stadiums were allowed to sell alcohol in plastic cups. When in Rome, or in Fulham in my case, I had a pint of Camden Hells.
Will Clark enjoying a pint at Craven Cottage.They were even selling a prosecco if you fancied, I didn’t. I know Fulham is a posh part of London, but I thought even that would appear to be slightly aloof.It was news to me, but it is legal to sell alcohol within football stadiums in England, but as I already knew, it is illegal in Scotland.Scottish football is restricted by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980, which for over 40 years has prohibited the sale of alcohol within football grounds. The ban was introduced in 1980, attributed to a riot at the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers, allegedly caused by drunk fans. Controversially there is an exemption for alcohol to be served at corporate hospitality areas at football matches. However, alcohol is available at other sporting events in Scotland, such as rugby matches.However, in England and Wales, alcohol is permitted to be on general sale within football stadiums up to 15 minutes before kick-off and at half-time, but fans are not allowed to consume alcohol in sight of the pitch.
Beer was on sale at Craven Cottage.In September, the Scottish Government were giving serious consideration to lifting the ban at grounds. SNP MSP George Adam called on a rethink of the ban and said selling alcohol at football grounds could be done safely if under a controlled environment. He said that smaller clubs in the Scottish football pyramid would benefit hugely from the lift of the ban and was open to the idea of a pilot run to see if it was viable.There is no doubt that is an idea which would be welcomed by fans and certainly would be worth a trial period.If it can be as well organised as I found it to be at Craven Cottage, I would certainly raise a glass (or a plastic cup) to the idea.
Fans enjoying a pint at Craven Cottage. Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.