Welsh Rugby Union execs are "considering the introduction of an alcohol-free zone at Principality Stadium in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour and excessive drinking at the iconic Cardiff venue," according to Alex Bywater of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. Spectators "regularly rising from their seats" and "heavy consumption of alcohol" have "long been common" at int'l matches at what was previously the Millennium Stadium. In Wales' '17 autumn tests, reports of "abusive behaviour in the stands and fights on the streets outside the ground" saw South Wales Police "question the behaviour of supporters." WRU CEO Martyn Phillips has "come up with one possible solution" for matches in '18 and beyond. He said, "We ran surveys in the autumn to ask people what the stadium experience was like for fans. We asked what they enjoyed and what they didn't enjoy, and one good example was drinking, which is clearly a hot topic. What we now understand is that for lots of people coming to a rugby international, they want to have a drink. That might be in a bar or in the ground. Equally, there's a segment saying they like a different experience. Our job is to deliver what the customers want. We will definitely want to try an alcohol-free zone next autumn." Such a move could be introduced for the '18 autumn tests but not the Six Nations, and "would break fresh ground in northern hemisphere rugby" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 12/20).
