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Jim Murphy’s claims loophole could see alcohol back at football

Jim Murphy’s claims loophole could see alcohol back at football

A loophole in an alcohol ban at football matches permits clubs to serve drinks before the match provided fans are ejected and forced to join the back of the queue at the turnstiles, according to Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy.

Mr Murphy convened a summit of football clubs and authorities at Hampden Park in Glasgow and said he was surprised to learn many football clubs already serve drinks.

The summit heard about the sale of alcohol at Airdrie, while St Mirren recently erected a “fans’ zone” marquee to serve alcohol.

However, the current law means fans who have not paid for corporate hospitality tickets are forced to join a last-minute scrum outside while corporate guests go directly to their seats, Mr Murphy said.

This points to “a remarkable double standard” in the current law which must be reformed, he said.

The SNP has welcomed a joint letter published in the Herald newspaper from health experts, domestic violence awareness organisations and academics calling for the restrictions on the sale of alcohol at football matches to remain.

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie have also both outlined their opposition to Labour’s views.

But Mr Murphy claims to have SNP MSPs on his side, including former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill and Paisley MSP George Adam, who has called for a debate on lifting the ban.

The summit heard from football safety officers who spoke of a “one-for-the-road” culture which creates last-minute crowds jostling to get into the stadium.

Mr Murphy said he wants to transform Scottish football matches from a 90-minute sporting event to “a four-hour day-out for the family”, with alcohol served at events in and around the stadium before and after the match.

He said: “What we are talking about is people being allowed to drink for a proscribed period in a supervised way inside the stadium in a controlled environment.”