The SNP government are refusing to consider plans to allow football fans to buy alcohol at the match.
Despite overwhelming evidence from all quarters to relax the tough licensing laws there are no plans from the SNP to allow supporters to enjoy a pre-match pint or two.
The SFA are planning to ask supporters for their views on the subject which would see football fans dragged out of the dark ages and brought into line with fans in England as well as rugby fans who can buy a drink inside a football ground provided they are there for egg chasing.
Fears and flashbacks to the scenes that marred the 1980 Scottish Cup Final are held up as the reason to uphold the ban when most reasonable minded folk appreciate that the world and the football environment have moved on from the dark days of Thatcher’s reign.
“We don’t believe now is the right time to reintroduce alcohol into football,” Alex Neil, the SNP’s Social Justice Secretary said.
“The fact is that when we were selling alcohol at football matches there were many more problems in terms of crowd behaviour than there is today.
“We have made a lot of progress so let’s not turn the clock back. Let’s keep with that progress, keep it a family game and if people then want to do for a drink after the game then they are free to do so.”
For Neil’s benefit alcohol was never sold at football grounds- supporters indulged through ‘kerry-oot’s with off-licences around football grounds booming on matchdays. Fans could enjoy an hour or two in the pub then buy their kerry-oot and pile onto the terracing rather than enjoy a pint or two inside the stadium before taking their seat.
Last season Celtic opened the Kerrydale Suite on matchdays with no downturn in supporter behaviour despite fans being able to drink for over two hours pre-match.
Corporate hospitality allows fans to indulge in almost as much drink as they can manage with numerous anomalies to be found allowing fans to pay a small amount of money to drink in certain areas of grounds.
At Kilmarnock’s Park Hotel supporters can enjoy a pint up until kick-off time but once they cross the road into Rugby Park they have to settle for tea, coffee or a bovril alongside their Killie Pie.
SNP MP George Adam is leading a campaign to lift the ban- perhaps he could start with opening the eyes of his parties ‘Social Justice’ secretary to the third rate treatment of football fans on a weekly basis.
This writer has nothing but total contempt for all Scottish politicians and has no truck with the expenses claiming, Irn-Bru munching, ambulance-chasing soundbite master from East Ren.