Andy Burnham is reportedly set to abandon plans to lift the football alcohol ban in England and Wales after being warned that clubs could face higher policing costs.
The Prime Minister had supported allowing supporters to drink alcohol in the stands, arguing earlier this month that the current rules amounted to discrimination.
However, police forces are understood to have advised that lifting the ban would require clubs to pay for additional policing. The financial burden on teams unable to afford those costs has reportedly contributed to the proposal being dropped.
Burnham, an Everton supporter, had long opposed the legislation before entering Downing Street. He pointed to the contrast between football and rugby league, where fans watching matches at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium have been able to drink alcohol in the stands.
He repeated his position during a visit to the United Nations in New York last week, saying the law dated from a time when football was “very different”.
“And 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,” he said.
Burnham added: “But I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch at men’s football matches in England and Wales. It was introduced amid concerns about hooliganism.
Despite Burnham’s support for reform, the reported concerns over policing costs appear to have put the proposed change on hold.
