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Reluctant Hero · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject: Murrayfield lifts alcohol ban

Hopefully football grounds will be next Smile

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6732309.stm

Murrayfield alcohol ban removed

Rugby fans will be able to enjoy a pint while watching international games at Murrayfield, following an announcement by Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.
A ban on the sale of alcohol in sports grounds was introduced after violent clashes during the 1980 Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

For a trial period, senior men's international rugby matches will no longer be included in the ban.

However, this would only be at designated grounds for certain events.

It will now be up to Edinburgh City Licensing Board to consider any application that Scottish Rugby puts forward for upcoming international matches.

Following the trial, ministers will examine the effect, particularly in relation to public safety and responsible sales.

Mr MacAskill said: "There is a world of difference between people drinking a bottle of cheap cider in a park to get drunk and enjoying a pint of beer at half-time of a rugby match.

"We've listened to representations from fans, Scottish Rugby and the police.

"The fans can't understand why they can have a drink at Twickenham and at Millennium Stadium and at some rugby games and not others.

"They want to be able to enjoy a civilised drink during international matches at Murrayfield."

However, the minister added: "This is not a licence to binge drink, to go to the rugby and get drunk."

'Excellent news'

He said limits would be in place and measures would ensure that responsible drinking is encouraged.

Stewards would also have the powers to take action against anyone who was causing a nuisance or making trouble.

"This government will also be closely monitoring how this works in practice and we will not hesitate to reintroduce the ban if necessary," he added.

In return, Scottish Rugby said it would remain committed to supporting the promotion of responsible drinking throughout Scotland.

Scottish Rugby's chief executive Gordon McKie: "This is excellent news for Scottish Rugby and we will ensure the sale of alcohol at future Murrayfield internationals is managed responsibly.

"We are committed to growing the game and getting rugby out into all communities.

"Any financial benefit gained by the responsible sale of alcohol at Murrayfield will enable us to put even more investment into the grassroots, including facilities in the community game.

"We believe sport can play its part in reducing crime and inspiring youngsters through our Scotland players to take up rugby is a priority."

Fighting fans

The sale of alcohol was banned at stadiums across the country in the aftermath of the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers, which saw rival fans battling on the field and police on horseback attempting to defuse the trouble.

It was largely attributed to the volume of alcohol consumed by spectators.

Murrayfield was excluded from the original draft legislation but police proposed to introduce the alcohol ban at all major sporting venues.

Mr MacAskill was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly before the England versus Scotland Euro 2000 play-off at Wembley stadium.
He had intended on going to the game but spent the night in police cells. He was not charged or cautioned and later claimed his arrest was due to a misunderstanding.

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Scott2006 · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject:

I think there is a slight chance that some football grounds could be allowed to sell alcohol again but only where the crowd is small enough to be considered manageable by the Police.
Any ground that is a sell out crowd would not be allowed to sell alcohol and since Celtic and Rangers have a large travelling support you could set a limit of a crowd of 7,000 as the upper limit of allowing the consumption of alcohol within the ground by designated booths/areas.
Ibrox, Celtic Park, and Hampden for Scotland games would be considered at a later date if these smaller exemptions were allowed.

Rugby fans might be portrayed as consuming more fine wine than Special Brew but a moronic element might be a little more than boisterious and undermine this limited freedom. I hope no one hijacks this and a rolling out of a limit of one drink/token per person per game could be enacted.
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Scotland deserves a First rate Parliament for a First rate People
The Scottish Parliamentarians who voted for Treaty of Union in 1706 and signed away Independence had been voted for by less than 2% of the Scottish population

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject:

Scott2006 · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject:

Reluctant Hero - I mentioned lower than 10,000 as that would mean grounds where Celtic or Rangers fans would not get access to drink, which might "loosen their tongues" and let all the old bullcrap out.

As most important senior games are not pay at the turnstile - the expected crowd would be known to the police and they could hopefully police accordingly.

Unfortunately Rangers/Celtic would have to prove that even at away games sectarian chanting/singing is a thing of the past before they can be trusted with anything more than non-alcoholic lager.
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Scotland deserves a First rate Parliament for a First rate People
The Scottish Parliamentarians who voted for Treaty of Union in 1706 and signed away Independence had been voted for by less than 2% of the Scottish population