Blues Want Booze Ban Overturned

Blues chief executive Simon Clegg is leading the charge to have the stadia booze ban overturned.
According to the Telegraph, Clegg is seeking Football Association and Football League support for a change in the law which would allow football fans to enjoy alcoholic drinks in the same way followers of other sports such as rugby and cricket enjoy.

The reports says Ipswich believe that football fans have been “unfairly targeted” in comparison to followers of other sports, and wants clubs to have the power to choose when and how they sell alcohol on a game-by-game basis.

The club believe that the atmosphere at football grounds has changed sufficiently to mean alcohol is not a risk to public order, and that allowing drinking could enhance the atmosphere and enjoyment of fans.

Supporters are banned from drinking in their seats during games, or “within sight of the pitch” 15 minutes before kick-off, under a law passed in 1985 that specifically restricted the sale and consumption of alcohol at football matches.

The law was drafted when there was widespread alcohol-related disorder at football matches, but Ipswich believe it has become an anachronism in the age of all-seat stadiums.