UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a ban on football fans drinking in the stands is outdated, discriminatory and should be scrapped. He argued it is unfair for football fans to be singled out when supporters of other sports can drink while watching their teams. The ban, covering the top-five tiers of English men's football, dates to the 1980s when hooliganism concerns were high.

The Football Supporters' Association (FSA) welcomed the comments, noting successful pilots in the women's game. FSA chairman Tom Greatrex said it is unfair to criminalise fans for having a pint, especially since fans can drink at an Oasis gig or rugby league match. However, a UK Football Policing Unit spokesman warned it would be "incredibly rash" to make changes without proper consultation, as alcohol often plays a part in football-related violence.

Burnham previously raised the issue after seeing rugby league fans drink at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. He said: "How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can't do that at an Everton home game?"