Football Fans Could Be Allowed To Drink Alcohol In Stadium Seats If New Proposals Are Introduced

Former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has carried out a review into the beautiful game and has made several suggestions for new rules.

Crouch was tasked with taking on the review back in April following the failed launch of the European Super League, which was highly criticised by fans.

Football fans have been banned from drinking alcohol at stadiums since 1985, in an attempt to crack down on hooliganism.

However, Conservative MP Crouch say the current rules mean fans are more likely to binge drink and actually makes the problem worse.

She told The Times: "Our view on alcohol and football is outdated.

"It's not helped when you see scenes like we did at Wembley. But that's why I would pilot it first."

She added: "We kettle people into drinking quickly at half-time. And that is the unhealthy aspect of the football fan's relationship with alcohol.

"They drink a lot in a short space of time. So my recommendation is to pilot this and not have to down a pint at half-time."

Crouch went on to say that lifting an alcohol ban could also help secure the financial future of lower league clubs - she also pointed out that spectators of other sports, such as rugby and cricket can drink in stadiums.

She said: "Take a club like Dulwich Hamlet, which is in National League South.

"Its revenue is generated through its refreshments. If it gets promoted to the National League premier, it effectively stops generating that revenue during a game.

"They said openly in evidence to us that they cannot afford to get promoted because of the rules around alcohol.

"Lots of clubs generate a lot of their income through their bars and I think it's time to look at this issue again.

"We do have this bizarre situation where you can go to Headingley and drink as a cricket fan, but go to Elland Road and you can't drink as a football fan."