Getty PicturesAberdeen Soccer Membership has been granted a licence to promote alcohol to followers inside Pittodrie at a Scottish Premiership match subsequent month.
Dwelling supporters will be capable to purchase alcoholic drinks within the decrease concourse of the Richard Donald Stand earlier than kick-off within the sport in opposition to Kilmarnock on 14 December.
Followers won't be able to drink within reach of the pitch and gross sales shall be stopped earlier than the match will get underneath method. It's a part of a pilot scheme to see how alcohol gross sales could possibly be safely integrated into the matchday expertise.
Alcohol has been prohibited in Scottish soccer stadiums since 1981.
Aberdeen are the primary membership from Scotland's prime division to participate within the scheme.
Championship aspect St Johnstone can even trial alcohol gross sales throughout matches in opposition to Queen's Park on Saturday and Greenock Morton on 20 December.
In a press release, Aberdeen stated the initiative had been accredited by Aberdeen Metropolis Council.
The membership stated the pilot was designed to “collect perception into how a rigorously managed strategy to alcohol gross sales can assist a optimistic and secure matchday expertise for supporters”.
They added: “Gross sales shall be managed in full accordance with licensing legal guidelines, with acceptable safety and stewarding in place.
“Supporters are reminded that alcohol could solely be consumed inside clearly designated areas and never in sight of the pitch, and all gross sales will happen in clearly outlined, monitored areas of the stadium. Matchday operations, stewarding and security planning will stay according to our traditional excessive requirements.”
Getty PicturesAt McDiarmid Park, dwelling and away followers will be capable to buy alcohol from a pop-up gazebo on the rear of the East Stand previous to the 15:00 kick offs.
Gross sales shall be open between 14:00 and 14:45 and through half time of the matches.
As at Aberdeen, drinks can't be consumed inside view of the pitch.
It follows similar trials during Premier Sports Cup matches at Arbroath, Ayr United, Queen of the South and Stirling Albion previous to the beginning of the league season.
Alcohol has been prohibited in Scottish soccer stadiums for 44 years.
The ban was initially imposed following a riot throughout the 1980 Scottish Cup last between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden.
The ban doesn't cowl hospitality sections inside stadia.
The Scottish authorities and Police Scotland beforehand stated they might contemplate lifting the alcohol ban in March.
Followers have beforehand known as for soccer supporters to be underneath the identical guidelines as their rugby equivalents, who're capable of drink throughout matches.
The Scottish authorities has been contacted for remark.
