Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
New bid to bin booze ban in Scottish football
A CONTROVERSIAL call by a new Scottish football club owner to end the ban on selling booze to fans inside grounds has reignited a decades-old debate.
Hibs owner Ron Gordon has said the 40-year official ban on Scottish supporters bringing alcohol into stadia should be lifted.
The Easter Road chief reckons it is effectively a financial penalty on clubs who could rake in valuable finance from selling drink to fans as well as corporate hospitality guests.
Strict licensing laws in Scotland prevent corporate guests from taking drinks to their seats in grounds. They must be consumed away from the view of other fans.
Football authorities moved to prevent supporters taking cans and bottles of alcohol into stadiums following the infamous 1980 Scottish Cup final riot when Celtic and Rangers fans fought running battles on the pitch.
There were mixed views on the proposal among people i n Dundee when the Tele took to the streets.
Alex Brannan, 72, from Douglas, is a Celtic follower and remembers the rioting in the 1980 cup final.
But he said it is time to reverse the thinking and sell alcohol to fans.
He said: “I think it is a good thing and should be brought in.
“It would stop people boozing on the streets and mean you could keep an eye on them all in the same place.”
Meanwhile, yoga and pilates instructor Ali Henderson, 57, from Dundee, said: “I am not a football fan, but you would have to be really careful selling alcohol to supporters inside grounds.
“You would have to limit it to maybe two drinks and there is the issue of under-age drinkers to consider.”
Dundee FC’s managing director John Nelms previously said he was in favour of lifting the ban and selling pints to punters.
He said: “We’re in the entertainment business and having a beer and watching the match with your mates would be fantastic.
“I was at a Man City v Liverpool match and they had beer at that game.
“They are football fans and they behaved appropriately.
“I know there have been problems in the past but in the modern day, I think it’s much less of an issue. I also think it would help boost attendances, especially for the smaller clubs.”
Dundee Utd have been approached for comment.