Manchester Mayor calls to end 41-year football alcohol ban

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called for the removal of a 41-year-old ban on alcohol consumption in football stands across England and Wales. Burnham described the regulation, which has been in place since 1985, as “unfair, outdated and discriminatory.”

The ban was implemented during Margaret Thatcher’s government following violence during an FA Cup match between Luton Town and Millwall, as well as the Heysel Stadium disaster in Belgium. While the rule prohibits drinking in areas where the pitch is visible, alcohol can still be sold and consumed in certain designated indoor areas of stadiums.

Despite the restriction, many fans continue the tradition of drinking at bars near stadiums before and after matches. The proposal to lift the ban has reignited debates regarding stadium security, with some citing the unrest seen around Wembley Stadium during the Euro 2020 final as a reason for caution.