Jack McConnell backs SPFL's alcohol trial scheme as 'long overdue' booze ban rethink
Former First Minister Jack McConnell has hailed a trial of alcohol at Scottish football games as 'long overdue'.
Labour peer Lord McConnell, who served in Scotland's highest office from 2001-2007, said an SPFL pilot scheme this month could usher in a 'new era' by allowing fans to enjoy a beer in stadiums for the first time in 45 years.
Seven Scottish clubs have signed up to the trial enabling match-going supporters to buy pints at select League Cup ties.
A blanket ban was imposed on alcohol at football matches in 1981 after a riot at the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers fans,
But many football supporters have long criticised the prohibition as heavy-handed and discriminatory against predominantly working-class Scots - while rugby fans are permitted to enjoy a drink at Murrayfield, the country's largest stadium .
McConnell, who was elevated to the House of Lords in 2010 by Gordon Brown, welcomed the temporary rules change but warned fans had to prove they could behave responsibly.
He told the Sunday Mail: 'This change is long overdue. Football fans can be just as responsible as those who enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine while watching rugby or cricket.
'Recent pilot schemes show that supporters can be trusted. But a change in the law cannot be a free pass to return to the scenes of the past.'
Stirling Albion, Arbroath and Partick Thistle are among the teams to have opened up their stadium concourse for booze sales this month - a normal feature at games in England and Wales.
However, despite sanctioning the pilot scheme, First Minister John Swinney has previously said he is 'not sympathetic' to changing the law.
McConnell, who as FM cracked down on sectarianism which he branded 'Scotland's secret shame', added: 'A new code of conduct for clubs, with zero tolerance of sectarianism, racism, homophobia and violence across all levels of the game, as a condition for relaxation of the law, could be the quid pro quo that ensures the freedom to drink again is a step forward.'
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However, public health experts have warned the move is a backwards step.
Aidan Collins, of charity Alcohol Focus Scotland, warned Scotland is 'in the grip of an alcohol crisis' with deaths at a 15-year high.
He said: 'This is not the time to start dismantling protective measures we have in place.
'Even without alcohol on general sale in stadiums we still see violent disorder during or immediately after football matches in Scotland, as well as spikes in domestic violence.
'Increasing the availability of alcohol would only add fuel to those fires.'
Clubs involved in the SPFL trial said it had so far been successful and well received by fans, with cops confirming no arrests or disorder had resulted at any of the fixtures involved.
Partick Thistle will offer beer on the concourse at Firhill on Tuesday when they take on Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup, with St Mirren and Dunfermine Athletic following suit at ties this weekend against Ayr United and Stirling Albion.
Police Scotland said: 'We continue to work closely with both football clubs and partners and ensure an appropriate policing plan is in place to maintain public safety.'
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