West Midlands fans largely oppose lifting football booze ban after Prime Minister’s call | OneFootball

Fans of Wolves, West Brom, Aston Villa and Walsall largely oppose lifting the booze ban in the stands, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for drinking to be reintroduced during matches.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, a social media call-out asking whether the ban should be lifted drew an overwhelmingly negative response.

Burnham, an Everton fan who attended the Carabao Cup tie between Everton and Wolves earlier this month, argued football should not be singled out when other sports allow drinking in sight of play.

The restriction, introduced in the 1980s amid hooliganism concerns, covers the top five tiers of English men’s football. Trials in the women’s game have worked, but the rule still applies in the men’s game from the Premier League to the National League. The Football Supporters’ Association welcomed his stance, while education secretary Lucy Powell warned it could put fans’ good behaviour at risk.

Many objectors cited the fan-park trend of beers being launched during goal celebrations, fears of being soaked, and constant trips to the bar or toilets breaking up the match. Wolves fundraiser Manny Singh Kang also raised faith-related concerns about alcohol being thrown on his turban.

Others said drinking should remain on concourses and in hospitality, where alcohol is permitted out of sight of the pitch, and noted high prices as a deterrent.

A minority backed a trial, some pointing to rugby, with CCTV-backed sanctions for anyone who throws drinks. Police chiefs warned against change without proper consultation with forces.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

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