Swinney ‘not sympathetic’ to alcohol at football
First Minister John Swinney has said he is “not sympathetic” to allowing alcohol at football games.
Documents released through freedom of information legislation on Tuesday show Police Scotland and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) are “open to discussions” on the issue.
The papers were part of a briefing provided to Mr Swinney.
If such a move was to be brought in, the document said, it would be “in a limited number of pilot projects… with evidence gathered to understand the results and impacts”.
I understand where they're coming from, but I am not sympathetic to that
But speaking to the PA news agency on Wednesday, the First Minister knocked down any speculation such a plan would be forthcoming.
“I understand the aspiration amongst football clubs and some football interests to take forward measures to address the ban on alcohol in football stadiums,” he said.
“I’m not sympathetic to that.
“I understand where they’re coming from, but I am not sympathetic to that.
“I think we’ve got a set of arrangements in place just now that work, that are appropriate, that are necessary, and I think we should stick with them.”
The ban was first brought into force in 1981 following disorder between Rangers and Celtic fans at the previous year’s Scottish Cup final.Critics of the ban have pointed to the hospitality suites located in football grounds which sell alcohol to those who pay more for tickets, as well as the lack of a similar ban at rugby matches played at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said they are open to at least a trial of alcohol at games, with justice spokesman Liam McArthur saying: “I can understand John Swinney’s scepticism but if the police are open to trials and believe they can be managed effectively, then I think that politicians should be too.
“If a change in the rules is to be considered then the first step has to be a careful review of the evidence from other jurisdictions before a limited trial in an appropriate setting.
“Leaping straight to allowing alcohol at every game could pose risks that simply result in a ban having to be reimposed.”
