By-laws could be key to allowing Euro 2020 fans freedom to drink at grounds

Should legislation be introduced to allow the sale of alcohol at football matches in Scotland (your report, 26 October)? An argument exists that the country could be made look foolish during the Euro 2020 Championships if fans from across the Continent can imbibe at grounds in England but not here. Solving that problem may not require a change in the law at national level, but simply creative use of existing by-laws. These bylaws have been used in the past to extend licensing hours into the early hours of the morning. A carnival atmosphere existed in Glasgow in 1976 when pubs and clubs were allowed to stay open until 3am or 4am to accommodate Bayern Munich and St Etienne fans and others in a European Cup final. I see no reason why there should not be a temporary lifting of the restrictions in football grounds to accommodate a major international championship. It should not stop us from looking at the wider problem of violence in and around football grounds generally.

The atmosphere that exists at an international tournament is different to that of the Scottish domestic football scene. Local passions are still very real and alcohol consumption in the grounds could still help fuel violence and intimidation. Some say that there should not be one rule for rugby fans and one for soccer enthusiasts. But the plain fact is that there is little evidence that alcohol creates disturbances at rugby encounters. We can argue about the reasons for this but there is no getting away from the fact that behaviour and language at the Six Nations championship is much different to that of our local football derbies. The Scottish Government should look at whether the law should be changed for Euro 2020. It should not feel that it needs to change the law generally if it will make many domestic fans uncomfortable as a result.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court, Glenrothes