When UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham embarked on his trip to the United Nations in New York, he might not have been expecting a question about football fans drinking alcohol in grounds. Burnham firmly believes the law that prevents supporters from having a beer at their seat during a match is outdated. It's a position the Everton supporter has long held, and when asked was happy to reaffirm.
"I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination," said Burnham, who feels football fans are singled out compared to those of other sports and events. There is no suggestion this is about to become official government policy, and last year MPs rejected a Conservative amendment to the Football Governance Bill that would have forced ministers to launch a formal consultation on scrapping the rule. That was, of course, before Burnham returned to Downing Street.
It is a complicated and divisive issue, about not just safety. But it it something that match-going supporters actually want? Drinking alcohol at football grounds in England and Wales has been strictly controlled since the Sporting Events Control of Alcohol Act was introduced in 1985.
It was brought in to counter escalating hooliganism through the 1970s and into the 1980s. The ban impacts clubs in the Premier League down to the National League. While beer can be sold, it must be consumed in areas that do not have a view of the pitch.
Yet fans who support teams in the National League North and South and below can drink alcohol around the pitch. The ban is more strict in Scotland, with a law in place since 1981 that alcohol is only available in hospitality areas and not for other fans. It was initially imposed following a riot during the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden.
However, attitudes have been changing in recent seasons. It was lifted as part of a pilot scheme last year, with several Scottish clubs selling alcohol in clearly defined, monitored areas of the stadiums. It started with lower-level clubs, eventually being extended to the Premiership.
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