Expert: Booze at games can reduce fights
Letting football fans buy alcohol at matches would reduce the kind of yobbish behaviour seen at last week’s Edinburgh derby, according to an adviser to Police Scotland.
Fans in Scotland have been banned from buying alcohol in football stadiums since violence flared at an Old Firm Cup Final in 1980. Hooliganism hit the headlines again last week after Hibs manager Neil Lennon was hit in the face by a coin during his team’s 0-0 draw with Hearts.
But Clifford Stott, a social psychology professor and expert on football disorder, said the booze ban leads to some fans binge drinking before matches.
He said Scotland should follow the example of England, where alcohol is sold for limited periods at matches and there has been a marked reduction in the number of drinkrelated incidents.
Mr Stott said: “The alcohol issue is a contentious one but the English experience has been very successful.”
A trial of alcohol sales at Euro 2020 games at Hampden is being considered by the Scottish FA, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. The Edinburgh derby was marred by ugly scenes, with players and assistant referee also allegedly assaulted in separate incidents. Mr Lennon, who is from Northern Ireland, said he was considering his future in Scotland after the latest attack.
Donald Macleod
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