Football fans send clear message to Burnham over football drink ban hint

Football fans are giving a thumbs-down to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s plan to allow drinking in the stands.

Everton fan Burnham has raised the idea of allowing supporters to drink in the seats which has been outlawed since 1985. The move has caused massive debate and divided fans and a new YouGov poll states that “most regular match go-ers” back the ban by 63 per cent to 35.

The YouGov poll of 6,091 adults has taken the view of match-going fans. It found that 64 per cent of Britons who have attended a game believe the ban on drinking alcohol at seats should remain in place, with only 26 per cent saying they would like to see it lifted.

Separately, the “most regular match-goers” support the ban by 63 per cent to 35 per cent.

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The findings state: “Indeed, 53 per cent of at least one-time match-goers believe that fans being allowed to drink alcohol in view of the pitch would make the match-day experience worse, relative to 17 per cent feeling it would make no difference and 20 per cent thinking it would improve the experience.”

The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) welcomed Burnham’s comments but the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) challenged his view, insisting it would be “irresponsible” to allow “greater alcohol consumption during games”.

Burnham, who officially succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister back in July, hinted that he would seek to overturn the ban on a trial basis, arguing that the rules were imposed in a very different era. Asked if he would scrap the ban outright, he replied: “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.”