Ian Blackford gives backing to sales of alcohol in Scottish football grounds
The former SNP group leader at Westminster has given his backing to the sales of alcohol at Scottish football grounds.
Ian Blackford, 64, made his feelings known about supporters being able to drink alcohol within stadiums while being interviewed on the popular Longbangers football podcast this week.
The recently retired nationalist politician and avid Hibs supporter was asked by host Colin Wilkinson about his views on the reintroduction of alcohol sales within football grounds.
He said: “I saw the other day that Aberdeen are being allowed to introduce this, and St Johnstone, so absolutely, why not? Why shouldn’t clubs be able to do this and I think it is something we need to come back and look at again.
“You go to Easter Road because you want to see the Hibs, but you want to make it an experience don’t you? And if you are able to have a drink in the stadium before the game, why not?
“I mean, people are going to be drinking elsewhere anyway, but get them into the ground, make them part of the whole thing. I mean, you do things to make it entertaining for people as well and I am all for that.”
Blackford led the Scottish National Party group in the House of Commons between 2017 and 2022 and served as the Member of Parliament for Ross, Skye and Lochaber from 2015 to 2024.
His comments come just days after it was revealed Aberdeen FC is set to become the first top flight side in the country to be allowed to serve alcohol inside their ground for more than 40 years.
The Scottish Premiership club has been granted a licence to sell alcohol to home supporters inside Pittodrie for the league match against Kilmarnock on December 14.
Fans will be able to buy alcoholic drinks in the lower concourse of the Richard Donald Stand but will not be allowed to drink within sight of the pitch and sales will stop before kick off.]
An Aberdeen FC statement said the initiative had been approved by Aberdeen City Council.
The statement said: “Sales will be managed in full accordance with licensing laws, with appropriate security and stewarding in place. Supporters are reminded that alcohol may only be consumed within clearly designated areas and not in sight of the pitch, and all sales will take place in clearly defined, monitored areas of the stadium.
“Matchday operations, stewarding and safety planning will remain consistent with our usual high standards.”
Scottish Championship side St Johnstone are also being allowed to trial the sale of alcohol during matches against Queen's Park this Saturday and Greenock Morton on December 20.
The pilot scheme follows similar trials during Premier Sports Cup matches played at Arbroath, Ayr United, Queen of the South and Stirling Albion earlier this season.
Alcohol has been banned in Scottish football stadiums for the past 44 years following the infamous Scottish Cup final riot between Celtic and Rangers fans at Hampden Park in 1980.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our position on alcohol sales at Scottish football grounds has not changed. It is for local licencing authorities and Police Scotland to satisfy themselves that the pilot projects are permissible within the current legislative framework when granting licences.”