End the Drink Ban

That the Parliament recognises the support of the Scottish Football Association and most senior football clubs for the introduction of a pilot scheme aimed at reintroducing the sale of alcohol at football matches in Scotland; considers that such a move would help struggling clubs financially and make attending football matches a more pleasurable experience for spectators; further considers that sports stadia are now safer and games more family friendly than they were at the time when alcohol was initially banned at football matches; believes that such a change would bring Scotland into line with football matches in the rest of the UK and much of Europe as well as other sports and events held in the same football grounds; recognises what it sees as the inequity between high-paying customers in hospitality areas being permitted alcohol in the ground while regular ticket holders are prohibited, and calls on the Scottish Government to introduce such a pilot scheme as soon as is reasonably practicable.