Should football fans be allowed to have a pint in the stands during a game? Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, certainly thinks so, and is calling for trials to see what impact lifting the ban on booze in the stands might have. ‘The days of hooliganism are gone’, he said. ‘Fans of other sports can drink in the stands but football fans cannot.’
The booze ban, in its present incarnation encourages fans to drink more ahead of the match
The Labour backbencher raised the issue in the House of Commons during a debate on the Football Governance Bill, proposing designated drinking zones in view of the pitch as a potential way forward. He says it is all about allowing fans who want to drink the ‘chance to do so responsibly’ and that it is an opportunity to give back to fans who support their teams loyally. The Football Supporters’ Association has given its backing to allocated drinking zone trials, pointing out: ‘In the past, this is actually something many clubs have called for too.’
Charters is no revolutionary – just someone who wants to prompt a wider debate.
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