Why did it come about?

It came following major accidents at sports grounds and the need to control the management of sports grounds became apparent. (Also, The Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sports Act 1987 made it a duty of Local Authorities to enforce the Acts).

Lord Taylor, in his report on the Hillsborough disaster, recognised the need for Building Control to take a major role in the safety of Sports Grounds and went on to lay down procedure to ensure the participation of all emergency services and other interested parties.

Source: www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=5003

Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol Etc) 1985

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 sets out provisions to deal with:

• Public order issues involving alcohol and designated sporting events
• Licensing the consumption of alcohol at sports grounds

The public order provisions of the Act prevent:

• The consumption of alcohol within view of the playing area (not within the ground)
• A person who is drunk entering a Football Ground whilst a designated Football Match is taking place
• The consumption of alcohol on certain coaches, trains and motor vehicles traveling to a designated football match
• The possession of fireworks, flares or similar
• Later this year the Licensing Act 2003 will repeal the Alcohol Licensing Provisions only of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985.

The public order provisions of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 will remain extant.

Existing licences can be converted, carrying over conditions correspondent to those in the licensing sections of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985. Alternatively application can be made to the licensing authority to vary the licence.

Source: www.crimereduction.gov.uk/policing15b.pdf