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SPL calls for booze ban 'rethink' | SPL calls for booze ban 'rethink' |
(1 day later) | |
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. |
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