EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Government will give 'serious consideration' to lifting football booze ban
The Health Secretary signals potential u-turn following push by SNP MSP
Last updated 27th Sep 2024
The Health Secretary’s telling us the Scottish Government would give “serious consideration” to any proposal from football bosses to lift the alcohol ban at grounds.
Drinking at games was shown the red card following unrest between Rangers and Celtic fans at the 1980 Scottish Cup final.
Currently, only supporters in hospitality can be served alcohol on matchdays.
Lifelong St Mirren supporter and SNP MSP George Adam is speaking to Magic at the Musicals News about his attempt to have restrictions lifted:
He told our Scottish Political Editor, Alan Smith: “Things have moved on in football and we need to look at this as a way of helping football clubs being able to generate more money.”
He wants to bring football authorities and supporters together to come up with a plan:
“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.”
Former FM said 'no'
The idea was previously rejected by former First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Speaking to Clyde 1 Scoreboard in May last year he said:
"We still have too big a problem in terms of our relationship with alcohol so I think for me, what we're trying to do is reduce alcohol consumption and make it less accessible as opposed to more accessible."
'Enhancing the fan experience'
But now the door has been opened to a shift in the Scottish Government’s position, with the first hints coming in an answer to a written question from the Sports Minster, Maree Todd.
Responding to calls from George Adam, 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.”