Minister vows ‘serious consideration’ to any bid to lift alcohol ban at football

Any proposal to allow alcohol to be sold in football stadiums will be given “serious consideration”, the Health Secretary has said.

It comes after the SNP’s George Adam, who rejoined the backbenches earlier this year, called for the ban which has been in place since 1980 to be lifted.

The Paisley MSP said allowing alcohol sales could help clubs thrive financially.

He told Clyde 1 News: “You already have alcohol at football games in corporate, it’s just a case of finding other areas or zones in grounds to do that and make sure it’s a safe and controlled environment for everyone.

“I think in these challenging economic times it gives (clubs) another string to their bow, another chance to make some money.

“That goes back into our football teams.”

Adam argued football has “moved on” from the 1980s and other sports allow alcohol in grounds, calling on football authorities to come forward with a proposal.

In response to the suggestion, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We’ve not had any proposal yet from football authorities as to what that would look like or how that would be managed, but any proposal will be given serious consideration in light of the situation we’re talking about on the risk to harm.”

Adam has also received a written response from the Government, saying it recognises “the calls for football fans to have the same opportunities as fans at other sports and events”, and promising to continue discussions on how to improve the fan experience.

However the charity Alcohol Focus Scotland said lifting the ban would be the wrong decision.

Its chief executive Alison Douglas said: “Increasing the availability of alcohol by lifting the ban on alcohol in football stadiums at a time when Scotland has just reported a 15-year high in alcohol deaths and is in the midst of what the Scottish Government itself has described as an alcohol emergency would be a step in the wrong direction.

“They should be taking urgent action to prevent and reduce alcohol harm, rather than considering making alcohol more available at matches.

“The ban on alcohol in football stadiums was introduced in response to a riot. In 2021, Police Scotland recognised that alcohol continued to be a factor in a large proportion of arrests at football.

“People are free to have a drink before and after football matches. A 90-minute circuit breaker on people’s matchday drinking allows people and families to enjoy matches in a safer and more inclusive environment.”