Enjoying Beer While Watching Champions League Games

Alcohol laws at football matches have been a topic of debate for decades, with the UK's top football police officer, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, condemning the idea of lifting the ban on drinking alcohol in view of the pitch. The ban was introduced in the 1980s during a tumultuous time for the sport, when hooliganism was rife. However, in recent years, there have been calls to re-examine this law, particularly in light of the government's plans to pilot safe drinking schemes. This change would be particularly significant for Champions League and Europa League games, where fans have previously been unable to purchase alcohol inside stadiums.

The ban on drinking in view of the pitch at football matches

The ban was introduced during a time when hooliganism was prevalent in English football. While hooliganism has since declined, the beer ban rule has remained in place. This has led to unintended consequences, such as encouraging fans to drink quickly at half-time or before the game to compensate for not being able to drink during the match. It has also been suggested that the ban has negatively impacted lower-league clubs, who rely on match-day spending to stay afloat.

There have been calls to review and scrap the ban, with some arguing that it is outdated and no longer relevant in today's football culture. In 2021, former sports minister Tracey Crouch recommended a review of the law and pilots to test safe drinking. However, there is expected to be resistance from the UK Football Policing Unit, who have expressed concerns about fan behaviour and the potential for increased violence if the ban is lifted.

The ban on drinking in view of the pitch is specific to football and does not apply to other sports such as cricket and rugby, where drinking is allowed while watching the game. This has led to criticism that football fans are being treated differently and are not being afforded the same privileges as fans of other sports.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985

The Act was introduced in the football's dark days during the 1980s, when hooligans ruled the terraces. The Act was based on part V of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980, which proved its value in improving football spectator behaviour in Scotland. The Act was designed to make football grounds safe places for peaceful citizens to go and take their families to enjoy a great sport.

The Act was not designed to solve all the problems of hooliganism, but it was believed to be an important contribution to doing so. The Act was also designed to control the possession of alcohol on coaches and trains and at sports grounds. It also included licensing hours within sports grounds and supplementary provisions about orders under section 3.

UEFA's decision to change alcohol regulations

UEFA has decided to change its alcohol regulations, allowing supporters to buy alcohol at Champions League and Europa League games from next season. This decision comes as a result of the organisation's executive committee altering article 36 of their safety regulations. The amended article now states that the sale and distribution of alcohol within stadiums are subject to national and local laws.

This change has been welcomed by Football Supporters Europe, an organisation representing fans across the continent. Ronan Evain, CEO of FSE, highlighted the unfair treatment of football supporters in comparison to fans of other sports and the existence of a "two-class society" within football stadia, with alcohol being banned for general supporters but not in VIP areas. Evain further commented on the paternalistic nature of the previous alcohol banning policy, arguing that there is no evidence to suggest that banning alcohol in stadiums has any effect on preventing or reducing football-related disorder.

The previous policy had been in place since Euro 2000, implemented due to concerns over violence. UEFA's decision to change the regulations marks a shift in approach, now placing the responsibility on national and local laws to dictate alcohol sales within stadiums. This change brings football in line with other sports, such as cricket and rugby, where alcohol consumption is permitted in viewing areas.

While UEFA's decision specifically addresses alcohol sales in Champions League and Europa League games, it is part of a broader discussion around alcohol regulations in football. In the UK, for example, there have been calls to re-examine the 1985 law that bans alcohol consumption during matches in the top five tiers of English football. Pilot schemes have been proposed to test the safety of drinking alcohol in view of the pitch, with supporters arguing for a more targeted approach to alcohol restrictions that recognises the impact on club revenues and treats football fans as adults capable of drinking responsibly.

The impact on football clubs' revenue

The sale of alcohol at football games has been a contentious issue for many years, with some arguing that it should be allowed, while others believe it should remain prohibited. The impact of alcohol sales on football clubs' revenue is a complex issue that has been debated by club officials, fans, and government entities.

In England, football clubs in the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two are subject to a ban on alcohol consumption within sight of the pitch. This ban was introduced in the 1980s to curb hooliganism and has remained in place despite the significant changes in football culture and the increased presence of police at games. While fans are allowed to consume alcohol in stadium bars, they are not permitted to take drinks back to their seats, which has led to a peculiar situation where fans are encouraged to drink quickly at half-time to avoid missing the start of the second half.

This rule has had unintended consequences, such as long queues at bars and toilets during half-time, and it has also led to an increase in pre-drinking before games, as fans opt to enjoy a more comfortable drinking experience at pubs before entering the stadium. This behaviour has a direct impact on clubs' revenue, as fans choose to spend their money at local pubs instead of purchasing drinks inside the stadium.

The English Football League (EFL) has highlighted the financial impact of the alcohol ban, particularly on lower-league clubs that rely heavily on match-day spending to stay afloat. The EFL estimates that clubs could benefit from an average increase in income of £2 per fan for each home game if drinking was allowed in seats. Across the Championship, League One, and League Two, this could result in a windfall of around £35 million per season. In comparison, the impact on the Premier League, where clubs have additional revenue streams from broadcasters, would be relatively smaller, estimated at around £30 million per year.

It is worth noting that the production and sale of kits are also a significant source of revenue for football clubs, with sportswear manufacturers paying substantial fees for the right to produce and sell merchandise. However, clubs often receive a relatively small percentage of the revenue generated from shirt sales, usually around 7.5% to 15%, with some exceptions, such as Liverpool's deal with Nike, which reportedly includes a 20% commission.

The debate around alcohol sales at football games continues, with government plans to review the current ban and pilot schemes to test safe drinking in view of the pitch. While there is expected to be resistance from football policing units, the potential revenue increase for clubs, especially those in lower leagues, is a crucial aspect of this discussion.

The unintended side effects of the ban

The ban on drinking alcohol in view of the pitch at football matches has had several unintended side effects. Here are some of the most notable consequences:

• Fans are forced to make a difficult choice at half-time between visiting the toilet and getting a drink, leading to long queues for both. This results in a rushed drinking experience, which is particularly unhealthy.
• The ban encourages pre-drinking before games. Fans who want a more relaxed drinking experience often opt to go to the pub before the game, which can lead to higher alcohol consumption before entering the stadium.
• The ban extends the time spent by fans at football games, impacting their wives and partners. If drinking were allowed during the game, fans could spend less time at the stadium and more time with their families.
• The ban negatively affects lower-league football clubs financially. These clubs rely on match-day spending by fans to stay afloat, and the current ban discourages fans from purchasing alcohol inside the stadium.
• The existing ban creates anomalies in the rules around alcohol consumption at football matches. Fans can drink extensively before the game and during half-time beneath the stands but not during the game. This encourages rapid drinking, potentially increasing the risk of disorder.
• The ban may contribute to a negative fan experience. Fans often rush into the stadium after drinking in nearby establishments, sometimes missing the start of the game.

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