Crawley Town chief gives response to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's comments on alcohol ban in football stands

The prime minister branded a ban on fans being allowed to drink alcohol in the stands during men's football matches in the top five tiers as ‘discrimination’ and told reporters, ‘I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out’, as he suggested a change could be trialled.

Football is the only sport that faces the restrictions and the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) said the ‘outdated’ legislation should be reviewed.

Shortly before he became prime minister, he criticised the restriction on football fans as he attended a rugby league game at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Burnham was asked if it was still his view now he is in Downing Street when speaking to reporters on his trip to the United Nations in New York.

He replied: "I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different.

"And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis.

"But I'm not going to back away from what's been a long held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently."

The BBC reported that Government sources have stressed that Burnham was restating an opinion that he has long held, rather than making any sort of policy announcement.

A change in policy would have clear benefits for football clubs in terms of revenue, but would also add a strain on them, as outlined by Allman, who took over as CEO at the Broadfield Stadium in the summer on 2025.

He said: “Our immediate view as a club would be twofold, on one hand there is the obvious benefit of additional revenue to the club and whilst our bar spend per head is good, this would obviously increase should any rule changes come in, which has long been evidenced in the lower leagues and during the pilots in the WSL and WSL 2.

"However we would also have concerns with regards to costs associated in the sense of any additional security that would be needed as well as pressures put on said staff to police this safely."

The rules have been relaxed this season with all Women's Super League (WSL) clubs allowed to offer alcohol to supporters in the stands following two seasons of successful trials.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales.