Football stadium alcohol ban to be lifted in pilot

Alcohol has been banned at Scottish football games for more than 40 years

A ban on alcohol in Scottish football stadiums is to be lifted as part of a pilot scheme.

Arbroath, Ayr United and St Mirren will allow a limited number of home fans at upcoming league cup fixtures to drink alcohol in designated areas.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) said four other clubs were also involved in the pilot.

The SPFL said it hoped the scheme would improve the "matchday experience" of fans.

Alcohol has been banned in Scottish football stadiums since 1981. The government has said it has "no plans" to change the rules.

A limited number of home fans will be allowed to drink beer at two games at Ayr United's Somerset Park

The pilot project will begin on Saturday at Arbroath's Premier Sports Cup game against St Mirren at Gayfield Park.

Home fans will be able to purchase alcoholic drinks in a special fan zone area from 11:00 until 14:45 before the match, and until 19:30 after the match.

The pilot project will also run at the club's home fixture against Annan Athletic on 22 July.

Ayr United confirmed they had been granted an alcohol licence for two home Premier Sports Cup games - against Arbroath on 19 July, and Forfar on 22 July.

A pop-up bar will be set up for a limited number of fans in the disability section of the Main Stand.

For a ticket costing £35, they will be able to have up to four pints of beer before the match and a further pint during half-time.

Only supporters in hospitality sections have been able to drink alcohol in Scottish football grounds since 1981, but not if they have a view of the pitch.

Supporters making use of the new SPFL pilot schemes will not be able to view the pitch while in the pop-up bars.

St Mirren is one of seven clubs involved in the pilot

Arbroath, Ayr United and St Mirren have each been granted alcohol licences by their local authority.

The SPFL said that a total of seven clubs across four divisions were involved in the pilot scheme. Four of the clubs are yet to confirme their involvement.

A spokesperson said there would be "close oversight from the relevant licensing boards, local authorities and Police Scotland" and that any sale of alcohol would be compliant with all licensing laws.

They added: "Work will also be undertaken to gather feedback from supporters on how they found the process and any impact it had on the matchday experience.

"This is another welcome step in our aim to improve the matchday experience for all Scottish football supporters and to receive parity with sporting, and other social and cultural events across the country."

Government 'not sympathetic'

It was revealed in March that the Scottish government and Police Scotland would consider allowing pilot projects lifting the alcohol ban in stadiums.

Some fans have long campaigned for a change in policy, arguing that the alcohol ban in football is unfair as rugby fans are allowed to drink alcohol at games at Murrayfield and Hampden.

First Minister John Swinney previously said he was "not sympathetic" to lifting the ban, telling reporters: "We've got a set of arrangements in place just now that work."

On Tuesday, Sport Minister Maree Todd said the government's position on alcohol sales in football grounds had not changed.

She said: "It is for local licencing authorities and Police Scotland to satisfy themselves that the pilot projects are permissible within the current legislative framework when granting licences."