Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing ahead with plans to review and potentially lift the ban on football fans drinking alcohol in the stands, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

Government sources have confirmed that the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 will be reviewed with a view to scrapping the restriction. We previously reported that Burnham's comments were merely a personal opinion and that formal legislative change was not being planned; that position has now changed as ministers prepare to reconsider the policy.

The move has triggered immediate resistance from police leaders. The UK Football Policing Unit has called for an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister, warning that easing the rules would be 'rash and irresponsible' and could fuel violent disorder at grounds.

Speaking to reporters while travelling in the United States, Burnham reiterated his long-held view that the current law treats football supporters unfairly compared with spectators at other events. 'I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different,' he said. 'And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done. It could happen on a trial basis. But I'm not going to back away from what's been a long-held view of mine.'

Under the 1985 legislation, originally introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government after then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan identified alcohol as a major factor in matchday violence, spectators across the top five tiers of English men's football are barred from consuming alcohol in view of the pitch.

A spokesman for the UK Football Policing Unit warned against relaxing the law: 'Other sports simply don't see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour. It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games.'

Supporter representatives have long argued the rules are obsolete. Football Supporters' Association chairman Tom Greatrex noted that fans can drink in the same seats during rugby matches or music concerts, calling the current football restrictions unfair.

The move follows growing momentum to reconsider matchday drinking rules. A fan-led review of football governance chaired by former sports minister Tracey Crouch recommended lower-league pilot schemes in 2021, while Women's Super League grounds permitted alcohol in the stands this season following trials. In Scotland, where general sales have been prohibited since 1981, trial sales have also been held at Hampden Park.

What remains to be determined is how quickly the government will conduct the review and whether pilot schemes will be rolled out across English men's football despite opposition from police chiefs. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.