Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:50am on 24 Sep 2026,Thursday International
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the ban on drinking alcohol in football stands could be removed. He called the rule “unfair” because similar restrictions do not apply to fans at sports such as rugby and cricket. Alcohol has been banned in view of the pitch in England’s top five men’s football leagues since 1985. Burnham said the rule could be changed through trials. The Football Supporters’ Association welcomed his comments. However, the UK Football Policing Unit warned that changing the rules without proper consultation would be “incredibly rash”. Officials said alcohol can contribute to violence and disorder among some football supporters.
