The Scottish Football Association said that "it will seek the views of fans on whether alcohol should be sold at stadiums during matches," according to the BBC. It said it wanted to "build a case" in favor of lifting the ban. Police Scotland Chief Constable Stephen House said he would "enter into formal discussions," if an independent consultation finds widespread support for the idea. Scottish Labour "is campaigning for the alcohol ban to be dropped." Such a move "is also favoured by the Scottish Conservatives." The Scottish government has said it has "no plans" to change the policy (BBC, 2/15). In London, Auslan Cramb wrote the sale of drink "ended for all but corporate spectators after Celtic and Rangers fans rioted at the 1980 Scottish Cup Final." House said that "initial talks with the football authorities had centred on the idea of a small pilot project in an unspecified ground selling only low-strength beers." House said he "remains to be convinced that it is the right thing to do" (TELEGRAPH, 2/15). In Glasgow, Craig McDonald reported Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy "spoke out as he stepped up his campaign to end the ban on booze at football matches." Murphy believes Scots football fans "should not have to pay for the
behavior of their predecessors more than three decades ago." Murphy said that "he had won the backing of most fans he had spoken to." He said, "Like me, they believe there should be a careful re-introduction of alcohol at grounds -- and that we should not treat football fans as criminals or second-class citizens" (DAILY RECORD, 2/15).
