Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin is asking Pompey supporters to share their views on whether the rules around drinking alcohol in football stands should be reconsidered.
Are you a Pompey fan like me? I’ve got a question I want your views on.
Why can you enjoy a pint in the stands at a rugby match, or a glass of fizz at tennis, but not at Fratton Park while watching Pompey?
The current rules date back to 1985, when football faced very different challenges. But the game has changed enormously since then.
Amanda has been looking closely at the issue, speaking with colleagues and football stakeholders and examining how alcohol is managed at sporting events in other countries and in other sports.
The question has also been raised in Parliament, with Amanda calling for the issue to be considered carefully and with all relevant stakeholders involved.
There have also been trials in women’s football looking at allowing supporters to consume alcohol in view of the pitch, with safety and responsible drinking at the heart of the approach.
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “Are you a Pompey fan like me? I’ve got a question I want your views on.
“Why can you enjoy a pint in the stands at a rugby match, or a glass of fizz at tennis, but not at Fratton Park while watching Pompey?
“The current rules date back to 1985, when football faced very different challenges. But the game has changed enormously since then.
“I’ve been looking into this issue for some time, talking to people, researching what happens here and abroad, and looking at what other sports are doing.
“I’m certainly not suggesting a free-for-all. If we were to consider trials in the men’s game, there would need to be clear safeguards. That could include alcohol-free family areas, restrictions around particular fixtures such as derbies, limits on alcohol strength and strong action on unacceptable behaviour.
“The women’s game has now been able to test what happens when supporters are given the choice to have a drink in the stadium bowl, with safety and responsible drinking at the heart of the trials.
“So should we consider carefully controlled trials in the men’s game too?
“I’ve got my ideas, but I want to hear yours.
“Would you support a properly controlled trial, keep things as they are, or are there safeguards you’d want to see?
“This is about listening to Pompey fans and making sure their views are part of the conversation.”
Amanda is inviting Portsmouth supporters to take part in her survey and share their views on whether alcohol should be permitted in the stands at football, and if so, what safeguards they would want to see.
The survey asks supporters whether they would support a trial, prefer to keep the current rules, and what measures they believe should be considered, including alcohol-free family areas.
I’m a lifelong Pompey fan and proud to have served on the Supporters’ Trust board, so I want to hear directly from supporters.
The rules banning alcohol in view of the pitch at football date back to 1985. But football has changed significantly since then, and trials have now taken place in the women’s game.
So why can fans enjoy a pint while watching rugby, but not at Fratton Park?
I’m interested in your views on whether carefully controlled trials should be considered in football.
What do you think?
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Your views will help.
