Police chief slams plan for alcohol on terraces

BRITAIN’S top football police officer has described the plan to lift the alcohol ban inside stadiums as ‘madness’ and accused the panel proposing it of failing to make any attempt to discuss it with him. Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police told Sportsmail that the inclusion of an end to the 36-year ban on alcohol being consumed in sight of the pitch appears to be an attempt to win popularity with supporters by the fan-led review headed by Tracey Crouch MP. He said there had been no attempt to consult police — four months after drunken disorder marred the Euro 2020 final and saw England forced to play a game behind closed doors. Crouch’s review has called on Government and the UK Football Policing Unit, which Roberts leads, to work on the design of a small-scale alcohol pilot in the National League and League Two. Roberts said: ‘This seems to be tagged on to the end of the review to curry favour with fans. It is unpicking something designed to make things safer. The police haven’t been consulted or given notice of its recommendations. ‘There seems to be a suggestion that if it works at the bottom of the lower leagues, then it will do so throughout the game. That is bizarre. ‘There is a clear link between alcohol and poor behaviour and we are seeing growing concerns in rugby and cricket about the negative impact on fans’ experiences.’ Crouch said in response: ‘This is a recommendation driven on financial sustainability at the lowest parts of the football pyramid.’