Aberdeen fans allowed to buy alcohol at Premiership match

6 days ago 2

Calum Watson and Ben PhilipBBC Scotland

BBC Three men, two of them wearing AFC hats raising a glass a beer inside a football stadiumBBC

Aberdeen fans raised a glass to the pilot which took place out of sight of the pitch before kick-off

Aberdeen fans have been allowed to buy alcohol at Pittodrie Stadium - the first trial of its kind at a Scottish Premiership match since a ban was introduced 44 years ago.

Home supporters were allowed to purchase drinks in the stadium concourse before kick-off in Sunday's 2-1 win against Kilmarnock.

Aberdeen City Council granted a one-off licence with strict conditions to gather information on whether a relaxation of the ban could be introduced safely.

The Scottish government says it has no current plans to change the law but it has allowed pilot schemes to go ahead.

A woman in a dark jacket serving beer from a tap. Another woman in an Aberdeen supporters hat is serving beer in the background

Fans felt stadium alcohol sales offered another revenue stream for clubs

BBC Scotland News spoke to several Dons fans who felt the experiment went well and had enhanced the experience for supporters.

Gary McIntosh from Stonehaven said it was "a long time coming" and a chance to show that people can "behave like an adult".

"You can drink at rugby, you can drink at ice hockey, you can drink at football matches down south. Why not up here?" he said.

He said many fans already enjoyed a drink in the pub before a match so there was little difference in being allowed to do so in the stadium.

Another fan, Kevin Randall, said: "If everyone's sensible I think it's a great idea, long may it continue.

"It happens in every country in Europe and seems to work OK so I don't see why it can't happen in Scotland."

Craig McIntosh said a small minority of fans could spoil it for the majority but he believed it would work well in Aberdeen.

"Whether it works everywhere? That's a different story," he added.

"But we go to games down in England and it's a great experience going for a few beers beforehand and you're supporting the club as well, making some money out of it."

Getty Images Mounted police on the pitch at Hampden after the 1980 Scottish Cup final - they are watching fans on the terracesGetty Images

The ban on alcohol was introduced after rioting at the 1980 Scottish Cup final

The alcohol ban - which does not cover hospitality sections of grounds - was introduced following a riot during the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden.

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) argues the restrictions are outdated and it would like to see a season-long trial being held, paving the way for a possible permanent lifting of the ban.

Trials have recently been held at matches at Arbroath, Ayr United, Queen of the South and Stirling Albion prior to the start of the league season.

St Johnstone was also granted permission to sell alcohol to supporters at two games but the Pittodrie trial was the first for a top-flight match.

A legislative change would be required to amend part of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 to allow the regular sale of alcohol at football stadiums.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "Our position on alcohol sales at Scottish football grounds has not changed.

"It is for local licensing authorities and Police Scotland to satisfy themselves that the pilot projects are permissible within the current legislative framework when granting licences."

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