• Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Glasgow Report
  • Home
  • World
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Travel
No Result
View All Result
Glasgow Report
No Result
View All Result

Study claims ending football booze ban would be “own goal”

by Glasgow Report
in Sports


A STUDY into the proposal to end the alcohol ban in Scottish football grounds claims that authorities have scored an “own goal”.

Alcohol Focus Scotland was commissioned by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) to undertake the study to explore how the reintroduction of booze could look.

However the charity has said that the reintroduction of alochol in football grounds would be at odds with the aims of the Scottish Government’s national alcohol framework, which include reducing the availability of alcohol across the nation.

The exploratory study, carried out by the University of Stirling, concluded that bringing alcohol back to grounds could result in increased alcohol consumption, reduced fan safety and increased public disorder.

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/senolsengul-4726836/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5632538">senol sengül</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5632538">Pixabay</a>Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/senolsengul-4726836/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5632538">senol sengül</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5632538">Pixabay</a>
Image by senol sengül from Pixabay

Researchers spoke to a variety of stakeholders within football clubs, safety management, the police, public health and NHS, the Scottish Government and alcohol licensing as well as conducting site visits to Scottish and English stadia.
 
The possible impacts of making alcohol available for general sale at football stadia identified were overwhelmingly negative.

Concerns ranged from the added risk of disorder at matches, to increased alcohol consumption by those attending matches, a loss of income to local pubs, and the exposure of children and young people to alcohol consumption and to increased alcohol marketing.

The potential benefits were limited to fewer people arriving late at matches.

The report also calls into question claims that allowing alcohol to be sold more widely in stadia would be of financial benefit to clubs, with the report finding “there was uncertainty over whether clubs would make any profit due to the considerable investment needed for mitigation measures, crowd management, meeting licensing standards, staff training, additional risk management criteria as well as improving the physical infrastructure of stadia”. 

The researchers concluded that any pilot to introduce alcohol into Scottish football stadia would have to be robustly designed to collect a range of data and conducted by an independent research team with funding from an independent source, not football or other organisations with a financial interest.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has made no secret of his desire to see the law changed on alcohol in Scottish stadia, whilst St Johnstone owner Adam Webb has recently been vocal in his opposition to the current ban.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “This SFA and SPFL-funded study is an own goal.

“Far from making the case for lifting the alcohol ban in stadia it surely kicks it into touch.

“Not only could making alcohol more available at matches increase risks to fan safety and public disorder, it would be a major step in the wrong direction when it comes to people’s health.

“Scotland is in the grip of an alcohol health emergency, with alcohol deaths having just reached a 15-year high – and we expect these grim figures to persist in the coming years due to the lasting impact of the pandemic on people’s drinking patterns.

“Increasing the availability of alcohol results in increased consumption, which translates to increased harm.

“Given that alcohol harms disproportionately fall on our most deprived communities, it would be perverse to claim that we should increase its availability in order to tackle discrimination or inequality.

“This study shows that the case for changing the law to allow alcohol in Scottish football grounds would be weak at any time but increasing availability of alcohol in the current context would be plain wrong.

“Football, and sport more generally, is a fantastic way of improving health and wellbeing. Many clubs run health initiatives for fans.

“Encouraging alcohol consumption runs completely counter to these goals.

“There’s a real opportunity for football to show leadership by re-evaluating the sport’s relationship with alcohol more broadly, by demonstrating that fans don’t need alcohol to enjoy the match, and ensuring their sport is truly open to all, family friendly and health-promoting.”

Related



Source link

Previous Post

First AR software for epidurals developed by Dundee researchers

Next Post

Bearing nature’s beauty and fragility – snoozing king of the Arctic wins photo contest

Related Posts

Edinburgh tennis courts open after £100k community-driven refurb

by Glasgow Report
July 10, 2025
0

TENNIS courts in Juniper Green have opened following state-of-the-art renovations worth £100,000, thanks to a major fundraising drive by the...

Work begins on North Berwick pump track as part of new dog-free community park 

by Glasgow Report
July 3, 2025
0

WORK has begun on a pump track in North Berwick, which will create a safe space for BMX riders, scooters,...

Scots figure skating duo’s “dream come true” with Olympics pick

by Glasgow Report
June 26, 2025
0

A SCOTS figure skating pair have seen their “dream come true” after being told that they’re set to compete at...

Next Post
Bearing nature’s beauty and fragility – snoozing king of the Arctic wins photo contest

Bearing nature’s beauty and fragility – snoozing king of the Arctic wins photo contest

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Hindenburg Report on Adani Places Mr. Modi in Dilemma

February 10, 2023
Pandora’s Cube: A Mysterious Sum and a Sum of Mysteries

Pandora’s Cube: A Mysterious Sum and a Sum of Mysteries

May 19, 2023
A Brief on Kant’s Knowledge and Duty Reflections for “Glasgow Report”

A Brief on Kant’s Knowledge and Duty: Reflections for “Glasgow Report”

July 19, 2023
Dashcam footage shows impatient motorist yelling at driver in car park

Dashcam footage shows impatient motorist yelling at driver in car park

0
Social media users horrified by video of midges swarming hillwalker

Social media users horrified by video of midges swarming hillwalker

0
Scot horrified after finding poo-covered toilet brush in holiday apartment

Scot horrified after finding poo-covered toilet brush in holiday apartment

0

Edinburgh tennis courts open after £100k community-driven refurb

July 10, 2025

Edinburgh business owner creates walking group to combat loneliness 

July 10, 2025

Asexual wasps can support chem-free pest control, scientists say

July 10, 2025
Glasgow Report

Copyright © 2021 Glasgow Report.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise/Contribute
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Science
  • Real Estate
  • Press Release

Copyright © 2021 Glasgow Report.