The ban was put in place during the 1980s when concerns about hooliganism were at their height and covers the top five tiers of English men’s football.
asserted
concerns → put → football
Education Secretary Lucy Powell told BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday: “I go to the football most weekends with my young son and, you know, 30 years ago that probably wouldn’t have been all that comfortable an environment for a mum and their child to go to, but things have changed significantly.
asserted
things → tell → son
“And that’s why we’ve been able to reintroduce safe standing, for example, which is something that fans want.
asserted
fans → ’ → that
“So I think it’s a conversation we need to have to make sure that we keep the great atmosphere.”
asserted
we → think → atmosphere
She added that “it can be done” as “we don’t see bad behaviour” at cricket, rugby and other sports matches where drinking is allowed.
asserted
drinking → add → cricket
Ms Powell continued: “I think we need to do this in consort with fans and with football, so that we make sure we keep the really good atmosphere, the good behaviour, and we don’t put that at risk.”
asserted
we → continue → risk
Senior Conservative Helen Whately said her party would look very carefully at the Prime Minister’s proposals.
asserted
party → say → proposals
Speaking during a visit to south London, the shadow work and pensions secretary told the Press Association: “We will have to look at what the Prime Minister is suggesting on alcohol at football matches.
asserted
Minister → speak → matches
“Of course, I understand that if you’re going to a football match, you might want to have a drink while you’re there.
uncertain
you → understand → drink
That hasn’t been possible in recent years because of safety, but I understand that Government’s going to be looking at it again.”
asserted
Government → understand → it
Mr Burnham had said the ban was outdated, discriminatory and should be scrapped.
asserted
ban → say → ?
The Everton fan said it was a measure from “an era when football was very different”.
asserted
football → say → era
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) welcomed the Prime Minister’s words and said successful pilots of alcohol in the stands had been carried out in the women’s game.
asserted
pilots → welcome → game
But police chiefs warned it would be “incredibly rash” to make changes without proper consultation with forces.
asserted
it → warn → forces
Mr Burnham told reporters: “I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point.
asserted
I → tell → point
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“I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different.
asserted
football → read → era
“And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
asserted
I → believe → discrimination
There are different ways it could be done, perhaps on a trial basis.
uncertain
it → be → basis
“But I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine.
asserted
what → go → mine
I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently from others.”
asserted
supporters → see → others
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales in the top five men’s leagues.
asserted
Act → prohibit → leagues
FSA chairman Tom Greatrex said: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.
asserted
you → say → gig
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments and totally agree that the legislation is outdated and deserves to be reviewed.
asserted
legislation → welcome → comments
We look forward to being part of that consultation.”
asserted
We → look → consultation
A UK Football Policing Unit spokesman said police chiefs would welcome a meeting with Mr Burnham to “explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans”.
asserted
changes → say → staff
The spokesman said: ”Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour.
“It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games.
“
asserted
It → say → games
Following a number of football-related tragedies, changes in legislation were implemented after the Taylor Report for good reason and we are currently in the longest ever period without a significant football-related disaster.
asserted
we → follow → disaster
“It would be incredibly rash to make fundamental changes without a full examination of the evidence and meaningful consultation with police practitioners who have the expertise in this area.”
asserted
who → make → area
Mr Burnham previously raised the issue shortly before entering No 10 in July, when rugby league fans were able to drink while watching matches at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
asserted
fans → raise → Stadium
He was at the ground with friends, including Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram, who were holding pints of beer, and said: “How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can’t do that at an Everton home game?
asserted
we → include → game
I think we need to look at that.”
asserted
we → think → that
The Aporia
