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Football fans could be allowed to drink alcohol in stadiums again after 36-year ban

Drinking alcohol in the stands at football matches has been banned since 1985 after the government made a rule change in an attempt to curb the rise of hooliganism

Football fans could soon be allowed to drink alcohol in stadiums again after a ban on drinking in stands was introduced 36 years ago.

The lifting of the ban could come after former sports minister and Conservative MP Tracey Crouch completed her independent review into the issue.

The Times report that Crouch wants to pilot the plans at National League and League Two matches before it is introduced higher up the football pyramid in England.

The drinking of alcohol in the stands is allowed at other sporting events in Britain such as cricket and rugby, as well as at football matches in Europe.

[Fans carry beers outside a football match]

Football fans in Britain could soon be allowed to drink alcohol in the stands again after a 36-year ban

Crouch is hopeful that the return of drinking in stands will discourage fans from binge drinking before they arrive at matches.

She also hopes that an overturning of the ban will help to generate added revenue at clubs lower down the pyramid.

Speaking to The Times, she explained: "Take a club like Dulwich Hamlet, which is in National League South. Its revenue is generated through its refreshments.

[A Willem II fan drinking a beer]

Football fans in Europe are allowed to take alcoholic drinks into the stands at matches

"If it gets promoted to the National League Premier, it effectively stops generating that revenue during a game.

"They said openly in evidence to us that they cannot afford to get promoted because of the rules around alcohol.

"Lots of clubs generate a lot of their income through their bars and I think its time to look at this issue again.

"We do have this bizarre situation where you can go to Headingley and drink as a cricket fan, but go to Elland Road and you cant drink as a football fan.

[A table of beers outside Stamford Bridge]

Conservative MP Tracey Crouch hopes the lifting of the ban will discourage pre-match binge drinking by fans

"We kettle people into drinking quickly at half-time. And that is the unhealthy aspect of the football fans relationship with alcohol.

"They drink a lot in a short space of time. So my recommendation is to pilot this and not have to down a pint at half-time."

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