Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described the 40-year ban on football fans drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch as “discrimination” against the sport’s supporters.
Speaking on 23 September 2026 while travelling to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Prime Minister suggested that the current restrictions should be reviewed and potentially lifted on a trial basis.
The ban, established under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, prevents fans at the top five tiers of men’s football in England and Wales from consuming alcohol in their seats. While supporters can drink in stadium concourses or hospitality areas, they are prohibited from doing so within view of the pitch.
Mr Burnham argued that the legislation treats football fans differently from those attending other major sporting events, such as cricket or rugby, where drinking in the stands is permitted. The ban also does not apply to the women’s game, including the Women’s Super League (WSL), where fans are allowed to consume alcohol in view of the pitch.
“Rash and irresponsible”
The proposal to review the restrictions has met with strong opposition from law enforcement. The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) has formally responded to the Prime Minister’s comments, describing any move to repeal the ban as “incredibly rash” and “irresponsible”.
Police representatives expressed concerns that reintroducing alcohol to the stands could fuel disorder and violence, citing the legacy of the Taylor Report and the historical context of hooliganism that led to the 1985 Act. They argued that the current system provides a necessary “buffer” to manage fan behaviour during high-intensity matches.
However, the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has welcomed the prospect of a review. Supporters’ groups have long argued that the ban is outdated and that modern fans are unfairly treated with suspicion compared to spectators of other sports.
Any permanent change to the rules would require Parliament to repeal or amend the 1985 Act. The Prime Minister’s suggestion of a trial period would allow authorities to monitor the impact on safety and fan behaviour before a final decision is made. Details on which clubs or leagues might participate in such a trial have not yet been confirmed.
For more details on the proposed review, further information is available via ITV News which has covered the development of the policy.
