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A CAMPAIGN to lift the ban on alcohol at Scotland's football grounds has been launched by a Labour MSP.
After the removal of the drinks ban at Murrayfield, John Park wants to press for similar changes at football stadiums. He has tabled a motion at Holyrood to start a parliamentary debate on the issue.
Mr Park a keen football fan and a member of the official Scotland travel club, hopes to attract enough support from his fellow MSPs to get the ban on the sale of alcohol at all grounds in Scotland lifted.
Alcohol used to be banned at rugby matches at Murrayfield in Edinburgh as well, but the Scottish Executive lifted that restriction in May.
Mr Park, an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said he saw no reason why Scotland could not have the same approach as England and why football could not be treated in the same way as rugby.
He said: "Look at the comparisons with England. In England you can go into any ground and have a drink. They do it in a pretty controlled manner and you can't drink all the time."
Mr Park wrote to his fellow MSPs yesterday asking them to support his motion. He told them: "When football banning orders were introduced in 2006, it was noted that the majority of football supporters in Scotland have earned the well-deserved reputation of being some of the best fans in the world.
"Given this reputation, it is only fair that the respect being accorded to one set of sports fans is extended to others and I hope that you will note the calls from the [Scottish Premier League] to the Executive for a trial scheme and support the motion."
Alcohol was banned at Scottish football grounds after the infamous 1980 Old Firm Scottish Cup Final in which Celtic and Rangers fans rioted on the pitch.
Following the Executive's decision on Murrayfield, the football authorities want the rules changed for them as well.
Ian Blair, the secretary of the Scottish Premier League (SPL), said he would be "disappointed" if the Executive did not at least authorise a pilot scheme, bringing back alcohol sales in a limited, controlled environment.
Lex Gold, the SPL chairman, went even further, claiming it was "unfair" for the Executive to lift the ban for rugby matches but not for football.
A survey of SPL clubs found a majority in favour of a pilot project, with some keen to go further, particularly as the re- introduction of alcohol sales would boost the clubs' income.
Even Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who, as Scottish Secretary, brought in the ban, has called for the law to be revisited. "It is more than 20 years now, so why not have a look?" he said.
Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, was responsible for lifting the ban at Murrayfield but has so far resisted calls to do the same for football.
Mr MacAskill, who is also a keen Scotland football fan, said recently: "We do have a legacy of difficulties with football in Scotland. There is still a difference between football and rugby in terms of alcohol."
He will now come under renewed pressure to back a pilot project for football but will be reluctant to concede without being persuaded there will be no trouble as a result.