Alcohol Controls at Sports Grounds and Events
The controls over the carriage and consumption of alcohol, first introduced in 1980, are set out in Part II of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 ( www.opsi.gov.uk). Section 18 of the 1995 Act empowers the Scottish Ministers to designate sporting events and grounds that are subject to alcohol controls.
The current designations state that FIFA, UEFA and Scottish association professional football matches played at the grounds of clubs in the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Football League, Highland League and at Murrayfield will be subject to alcohol controls.
The controls do not apply to a non-designated event at a designated ground. Events such as concerts, American football, rugby league matches, rugby union club matches are not and never have been designated events.
In June 2007 the Scottish Government de-designated Murrayfield Stadium and other stadia in respect of international men's rugby matches.
The existing controls mean that it is an offence to:
- Be in possession of alcohol or a controlled container in a designated ground for designated events or attempt to take alcohol in to a designated ground for a designated event;
- Attempt to enter while drunk, or be drunk in, a designated ground for a designated event;
- Carry or consume alcohol on a coach or train specifically hired for the carrying for supporters to a designated event at a designated ground.
- drink in corporate areas overlooking the field of play* unless the blinds are closed or curtains drawn (but does allow, subject to a licence being granted, drinking in hospitality areas in the grounds of the stadium and in the stadium car parks).
* During the relevant period of a designated event which is the period commencing two hours before the start and ending one hour after the end of a designated sporting event.