Burnham wants beer back in football stands – but Evertonians may need raincoats

Andy Burnham has called for a review of the law preventing football supporters from drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch. Burnham questioned why spectators could drink in their seats during a rugby league match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but not during an Everton football match at the same venue. He suggested that trials could serve as a potential way forward to reconsider the current legislation.

The alcohol ban stems from the Sporting Events Act 1985 and applies to the top five divisions of English men's football. While the Football Supporters' Association and the 2021 Fan-Led Review have supported testing pilot schemes, the UK Football Policing Unit has cautioned against rule changes over safety and disorder concerns.