# Police clash with fans over scrapping alcohol ban at football

> Andy Burnham's push to let fans drink in stands sparks row over safety, fairness, and whether Hillsborough should factor into the debate.
- Title: Police clash with fans over scrapping alcohol ban at football
- Summary: Andy Burnham's push to let fans drink in stands sparks row over safety, fairness, and whether Hillsborough should factor into the debate. The alcohol ban at…
- Keywords: andy burnham, uk football policing unit, football supporters association, alcohol ban, sporting events control of alcohol act 1, hillsborough disaster, fan safety, football legislation, england, wales, sports, Police
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/uk-football-police-unit-accused-of-bringing-hillsborough-into-alcohol-debate
- Published: 2026-09-24T18:07:54+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, uk football policing unit, football supporters association, alcohol ban, sporting events control of alcohol act 1, hillsborough disaster, fan safety, football legislation, england, wales, sports
## Burnham calls alcohol ban outdated
The prime minister says the 1985 law banning drinking in sight of the pitch is discriminatory and should be scrapped, arguing football fans are unfairly singled out.

> I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way
## Police warn against hasty change
The UK Football Policing Unit urged caution, saying the ban was introduced after the Taylor Report for good reason and removing it without evidence would be reckless.

> It would be incredibly rash to make fundamental changes without a full examination of the evidence
## FSA accuses police of misusing Hillsborough
The Football Supporters' Association said police wrongly linked the 1989 disaster to the alcohol debate, when Hillsborough was caused by police and ambulance failures, not drinking.

> The disaster was not caused by alcohol. Full stop.
## Police clarify they didn't mean to link Hillsborough
A UKFPU spokesperson said they did not intend to connect alcohol with the tragedy, but rather cited the Taylor Report and 1985 law as part of broader safety measures.

> It was not our intention to link the issue of alcohol with the Hillsborough tragedy
## FSA backs Burnham but wants club choice
The fans' group supports scrapping the ban but argues clubs, not lawmakers, should decide whether to serve alcohol, with some areas like family sections staying dry.

> A club should have the choice to do what is right for its fans
## The 1985 law applies only to football
The Sporting Events Control of Alcohol Act bans drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales' top five men's leagues, but rugby league and concerts allow it.
## Police cite football's violence problem
The UKFPU argues that football sees more violence and criminal behaviour than other sports, with alcohol often playing a significant role in disorder.

> Other sports simply don't see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does
## Key takeaway

The alcohol ban at football grounds is decades old and applies only to football, but police say removing it without evidence risks undoing safety gains.