SPL club chairman calls for lift on alcohol ban in Scottish football

Motherwell chairman John Boyle has called for the “absurd” ban on alcohol at Scottish football matches to be lifted.

The ban was introduced 28 years ago after violent clashes at Hampden Park during the 1980 Scottish Cup final. But Mr Boyle believes that it is high time football fans were allowed to enjoy a drink whilst cheering on their team.

“We need an upgrade. The situation is absolutely ludicrous and football fans are discriminated against,” he said.

Rugby fans at Murrayfield and Firhill have the right to buy alcohol at games and Mr Boyle claims it is unfair to single out football supporters as the perpetrators of violence and irresponsible behaviour, adding that enhanced security measures can be used to identify individuals who abuse the privilege of being able to drink at matches.

"We now have all-seated stadia, facilities are greatly enhanced and we have security measures including CCTV,” he said.

Boyle added: "Anybody abusing the privilege of buying a drink when they watch their local football team will be apprehended and removed.

"You can go to Firhill on a Friday night and watch the Glasgow Warriors rugby team and take a pint of beer to your seat, and enjoy watching your chosen sport.

"Twelve hours later when Partick Thistle are playing you're prohibited from doing any such thing.

"That's nonsensical. Why should football fans be singled out? The whole thing needs a root and branch review."

A number of Scottish football clubs are believed to be open to the idea of the ban being lifted. A spokesperson for Hibernian FC told The Journal: "Lifting the alcohol ban is something we would like to look at seriously and keep under review.”

The SFA claims that the final decision is up to the police, but Chief Executive Gordon Smith admitted that there is room for a serious debate on the issue.

He said: “We don't really have a perspective on it as such, because it's really down to the authorities and the police to make a decision on this kind of thing.

"It would be up to them whether they'd be comfortable with people drinking at matches. I can understand why some people want it.

"The big worry is that football has had a problem before in terms of people misbehaving and sometimes alcohol was given as a reason for that."

Smith added that the scenes at the 1980 Scottish Cup final still cause concern about the potential harm that can be done when fans abuse the right to drink during matches.

"That was a benchmark," he said. "It was a match that I actually played in and I saw the consequences of it.

"From that point of view we really need to look at whether there's been a big enough change that football fans could be relied upon to behave."

Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Smith, chairperson of the football policing sub-committee, claimed that he could see certain positive arguments for lifting the ban, such as the commercial benefit it would bring.

However, he added:"Scottish football has been complimented for being a progressively safer environment for spectators and the restriction of alcohol is one of the key components of this successful model."

Despite the controversy surrounding the sale of alcohol at football matches in Scotland, Dominic McKay of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) told The Journal that the SRU is happy with its decision to allow drinks to be bought at Murrayfield.

“Scottish Rugby is encouraging supporters to drink responsibly,” he said, adding: "Revenue from the bars within the stadium will be used to invest in the grassroots game throughout Scotland.”

Likewise, SRU Chief Executive Gordon McKie claimed the decision was a great success.

He said: “Rugby supporters at Murrayfield have long-demonstrated their ability to enjoy themselves and support their team. We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to bring us into line with every other major international rugby stadium around the world in allowing us to sell alcohol to supporters.

"Those who wish to enjoy a pint, can do so responsibly.”

Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill, who was responsible for the decision to allow the sale of alcohol at Scottish rugby venues, claimed the move had been a success. However, he added that should specific instances of alcohol-related misbehaviour be seen during games, he would have no hesitation in reinstating the ban.

A statement from his office states: "When I took the decision last year to allow alcohol to be sold for international matches at Murrayfield I made clear that this wasn't about granting rugby fans a licence to get drunk. It was, and still is, about being able to enjoy a pint during the match but doing so responsibly.

"I saw firsthand the sensible attitude of fans during the two world cup matches, which were the first to have alcohol sold.

"I know Scottish Rugby have limits and other measures in place to help make sure fans are drinking responsibly and I would urge all those attending to make sure they do so.

"It's not the drink that's the problem, it's how we're drinking it and I expect the fans to show they can be trusted. If they don't I'll have no hesitation in reinstating the ban - especially if there are problems with alcohol retailing or public safety.

"I know that Scottish Rugby will be playing their part by promoting responsible drinking messages as well as using any profits from the sale of alcohol to develop and promote projects that encourage more people to try and play rugby in their communities.

"I'd encourage fans to enjoy the game, as I'll be doing. I'll certainly be joining the chorus of fans wishing our national team good luck!"

Despite the optimistic attitude towards the sale of alcohol at Scottish rugby matches, Dominic McKay of the SRU told The Journal that alcohol is under no circumstances available for consumption when Heart of Midlothian play their European football matches at Murrayfield.