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SPL calls for booze ban 'rethink' SPL calls for booze ban 'rethink'
(1 day later)
The Scottish Premiere League is seeking a meeting with ministers to discuss a plan for lifting the ban on alcohol sales in Scottish football grounds. The Scottish Premier League is seeking a meeting with ministers to discuss a plan for lifting the ban on alcohol sales in Scottish football grounds.
SPL secretary Ian Blair said he would raise the issue with the Scottish Executive at the earliest opportunity.SPL secretary Ian Blair said he would raise the issue with the Scottish Executive at the earliest opportunity.
The call comes after the ban was reviewed as part of a trial for certain rugby internationals at Murrayfield.The call comes after the ban was reviewed as part of a trial for certain rugby internationals at Murrayfield.
Mr Blair said he was eager to see a similar pilot up and running before the end of the coming football season.Mr Blair said he was eager to see a similar pilot up and running before the end of the coming football season.
A ban on the sale of alcohol in sports grounds was introduced after violent clashes during the 1980 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in Glasgow.A ban on the sale of alcohol in sports grounds was introduced after violent clashes during the 1980 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
We will be seeking some sort of trial to begin as soon as possible Ian BlairSPL secretary But Mr Blair insisted things had changed since then.We will be seeking some sort of trial to begin as soon as possible Ian BlairSPL secretary But Mr Blair insisted things had changed since then.
He said: "Essentially, the message that we are trying to get across is that we have come a long way since the ban was first introduced.He said: "Essentially, the message that we are trying to get across is that we have come a long way since the ban was first introduced.
"Given the changes that we have seen, we think it reasonable to see a pilot put in place."Given the changes that we have seen, we think it reasonable to see a pilot put in place.
"We will be seeking some sort of trial to begin as soon as possible. I would ideally like to see that happening before the end of the upcoming season.""We will be seeking some sort of trial to begin as soon as possible. I would ideally like to see that happening before the end of the upcoming season."
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said that he is not opposed to the idea in principle, previously stating:Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said that he is not opposed to the idea in principle, previously stating:
"I have made clear that I will consider any representations made by football clubs as long as they have discussed the issue with the police and licensing boards and have their support.""I have made clear that I will consider any representations made by football clubs as long as they have discussed the issue with the police and licensing boards and have their support."
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith said he was also in favour of challenging the current ban.Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith said he was also in favour of challenging the current ban.
But Mr Smith has warned that it was important to assess whether the issues which led to the drinking ban still existed.But Mr Smith has warned that it was important to assess whether the issues which led to the drinking ban still existed.