Major change to football stadium alcohol rules could be introduced if Women’s Championship trial is a success
FOOTIE fans could be a step closer to boozing in stands during matches if a trial at women’s games proves successful.
Championship sides Newcastle, Southampton, Birmingham and Bristol City will allow drinking at select games, but not derbies, from January 19 to the season’s end.
They were chosen due to safety procedures, geographical spread and Bristol’s Ashton Gate and Newcastle’s Kingston Park allowing alcohol at rugby matches.
Soccer chiefs want to analyse how booze might improve fan experience at women’s football, which isn’t governed by the same strict anti-alcohol law.
Women’s football is not governed by the Sporting Events Act 1985 which bans boozing while in view of the pitch in the top five men’s leagues.
There were no arrests at women’s games last year and some of the chosen venues allow alcohol at top rugby matches.
Nikki Doucet, of Women’s Professional League Ltd, has said: “I think our fan base and the behaviour is different.
“Ultimately it’s about being able to give our fans choices, while obviously maintaining the safety and what we need to do in terms of being responsible.”
It could then be rolled out more widely across the Women’s Super League and Championship and potentially influence future decisions on men’s football.
Sun Sport was told in October that the Police position had not changed in terms of men’s football although there is no mechanism which would see local Forces able to prevent a women’s game trial.
Drinking in view of the pitch has been banned in the men’s top five divisions since 1985.
Fans caught breaching the laws under the 1985 act can be banned from grounds, handed hefty fans and, in extreme circumstances, given three month prison sentences.