Football fans to be breathalysed before matches

[ian1964 10,720]

Cambridge United will become the first club in the country to breathalyse fans entering the ground as part of a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.

 

Football fans across the country could soon be breathalysed before entering grounds in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour and drunkenness at matches.

 

The first initiative of its kind will be trialled at Saturday's game between League Two sides, Cambridge United and Burton Albion.

 

Stewards at Cambridge’s Abbey Stadium will be presented with breathalyser devices called AlcoBlows, which will be used to measure whether fans are too drunk to be allowed entry.

 

While the breathalysers will not be used on every supporter attending the match, anyone who appears to be intoxicated will be asked to blow into the device.

 

If they are found to give a sample of 70 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is twice the legal drink drive limit, they will be refused admission.

 

The scheme is an extension of a system operating in a number of towns and cities across the country where pub and club doormen use breathalysers to bar entry to revellers who are too drunk.

 

But it is hoped if the scheme works well at Cambridge United it could become a regular feature at some of the bigger grounds including Premier League stadiums.

 

• Pitch side breathalyser to test for concussion

 

Sergeant Ian Wood of Cambridgeshire Police said there were a number of alcohol-related laws around sporting events and these included the offence of trying to enter a sports ground while drunk.

 

He said: “My concern is that fans will be unaware of these offences and I hope that the introduction of the devices will help stewards make empowered decisions about who should enter the ground and educate fans about the ramifications of being drunk at sporting events.

 

“We accept that a responsible fan may consume a moderate amount of alcohol before a game, however, we are focusing on the overly-intoxicated people who are most likely to become problematic during or after the game.

 

“The breathalysers will detect anything above twice the legal drink-drive limit.”

 

But supporters’ groups said the scheme was unnecessary as football arrests were at their lowest point ever and stewards already had the power to bar fans if they thought they were too drunk.

 

Amanda Jacks of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: “This unnecessarily demonises football fans for what is, largely, a scheme aimed at pubgoers and clubbers.

 

“For years stewards have had the discretion to ascertain “drunkenness” and refuse entry to supporters. We’re not entirely sure what is achieved by introducing this new system.

 

“Last season there were only eight arrests at Cambridge United home games, and a further eight at away games.

 

“Of those 16 arrests, only three were for offences relating to alcohol. By the Home Office’s own stats, football arrests are at their lowest point ever, and we think that’s a definitely a story worth reporting.”

 

A spokesman for The Football Association said the scheme was an independently run initiative and therefore not something it would comment on.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/11578118/Football-fans-to-be-breathalysed-before-matches.html

[Gribz 829]

Its not part of an anti-social behavior, its part of a long term control agenda. How can they say / prove that alcohol makes people angry and violent.....yes there will be a few donkeys who act stupid but some people can become a happier person with drink.

[Laudbertz 0]

Ridiculous, it should go by a persons actions whilst drunk, some people can be very drunk but the nicest person in the world, others can kick off after just a couple drinks. Some dont even need a drink! This could open up a world of problems if stewards eject someone they deem too drunk but miss out on others causing havoc.

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

Absolutely ridiculous.