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AFS response to renewed discussion on alcohol in football stadiums

It has been reported in the media this week that Police Scotland are ‘open to discussions’ on lifting the ban on alcohol being sold in football stadiums in Scotland.

Minutes from a roundtable meeting with representatives from Scottish football showed that discussions had taken place on the topic. These alongside briefings to the First Minister indicated that of a small number of pilot projects had been proposed by the SPFL to gather evidence on the impact this could have.

The First Minister on Wednesday made clear that he was not in favour of lifting the ban, reiterating that the current arrangements are ‘appropriate’ and ‘necessary’.

Responding to the story, Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said:

“We welcome the First Minister’s statement asserting that there should be no changes to the current ban on alcohol in football stadiums. To do so would be misguided. Even without alcohol in stadiums we still see violent disorder during or immediately after football matches in Scotland, as well as spikes in domestic violence. Increasing the availability of alcohol would only add fuel to those fires.

“The current 90-minute pause on drinking during a match allows people and families to enjoy matches in a safer environment, whilst also reducing the risks of further violence and alcohol-related incidents.

“Furthermore, Scotland is in the grip of an alcohol health emergency, with alcohol deaths having just reached a 15-year high. To increase where alcohol can be sold sends entirely the wrong message and risks increasing consumption and the associated problems.”