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1. 1 today 5:00 PM

   Government clarifies Burnham restating long-held view, not announcing policy

   Government sources stressed that Burnham was restating a personal opinion rather than announcing a policy shift. A trial or pilot scheme is not being ruled out, but any wider move would require extensive consultation with clubs, fans and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport—none of which is currently planned.

   “I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis.”

   1. 9 outlets Andy Burnham Says Alcohol Ban Should End for UK Football Fans

      first by Bloomberg.com, 6h ago · also Guardian, The Guardian Football, Guardian Sport, BBC Football, BBC Sport, BBC +2

      3 more headlines

      • Andy Burnham signals he may lift ban on alcohol in football stands The Guardian · 6h ago
      • Burnham says ban on alcohol for football fans in stands is 'discrimination' BBC Football · 6h ago
      • Andy Burnham supports letting football fans drink in their seats The Times · 4h ago
   • F

     Ugh, this sounds like a terrible idea. The fans of male football are intimidating and dangerous enough when they can't drink whilst actively watching the game in the stands. I am frequently appalled by a lot of the behaviour at cricket games (and will opt for the alcohol-free family stand to avoid those who are there for an all-day drinking…

     fak@cupoftea.socialMastodon5h agoview on Mastodon ↗

   2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch

   • A

     I have nothing good to say about rugby, rugby fans, or the culture around the sport but it's pretty asinine to make out the difference between the sports is class as opposed to rugby as a sport not having the history of violence, disorder, behavioural problems at games. Also the fact there are plenty of working class rugby fans esp up north…

     april9thr/soccer3h agoview on r/soccer ↗
   • M

     34 year season ticket holder at Man City and it's a great idea, can't happen soon enough. Why not?! The mad rush to line them up and down them before KO and at HT is not the answer

     Munkey_Boyr/soccer3h agoview on r/soccer ↗

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2. backgroundToday

   FSA welcomes Burnham's stance; police warn of safety risks — Football Supporters' Association chairman Tom Greatrex called the legislation "outdated" and said "many clubs" support change. The UK Football Policing Unit countered that relaxing the law would be "irresponsible" without examining evidence, citing football's unique violence issues compared to other sports.

3. backgroundToday

   Burnham brands alcohol ban as discrimination, suggests trial — Speaking at the UN in New York, Prime Minister Andy Burnham told reporters the ban is unfair to football fans when supporters of other sports can drink in stands. He said there is "a case to remove that discrimination" and suggested changes could happen "on a trial basis."

4. backgroundJan 1, 2021

   Fan-led review calls for law to be re-examined — A fan-led review of football governance in 2021 called for the alcohol ban law to be re-examined.

5. backgroundJan 1, 1985

   Thatcher government introduces alcohol ban in football grounds — The legislation was introduced in 1985 by Margaret Thatcher's government for English and Welsh football grounds, with then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan citing alcohol as a "major contributory factor in violent and disorderly behaviour" in football.