Local football fans are still not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages into stadiums on matchdays, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has said.
Late last month, PSL Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Ndebele said they had given clubs the green light to sell beer at local football stadiums provided clubs meet the set requirements.
However, one football fan complained that he recently brought alcohol to the National Sports Stadium in a plastic container but was forced to pay a US$5 bribe to be allowed to get into the match venue with the beer. Said the fan:
Please clarify to me if I can bring my alcohol the next time I come to the ground because on Sunday at NSS I was forced to fork out a $5 bribe in order to enter with my alcohol which was in plastic containers. The officers said you did not send any comms regarding that. Pliz help.
In response, the PSL said alcohol remains banned from stadiums and that position has not changed. The PSL said:
Alcohol is not allowed in the stadium even in plastic containers. That position has not changed. Clubs are required to meet certain requirements for them to be allowed to sell alcohol at the stadia. Until that is done, no alcohol will be allowed.
In his statement released in March, Ndebele said clubs should secure written permission from stadium owners for the sale of alcohol. He said:
Following a Board resolution made at the Annual General Meeting held on 17 March 2023 to allow alcohol sales at the stadia, Clubs are advised to secure written permission from stadium owners for the sale of alcohol.
Clubs are further advised to get amended Lease Agreements that allow the sale of alcohol, police clearance from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) as well as liquor licenses from the Liquor Licensing Board.
Clubs are also required to indicate where the alcohol will be sold at the stadium.
In the top tiers of football in England, that is in the EFL and EPL, all fans are banned from consuming alcohol “in view of the pitch”.
Alcohol is sold in the concourses of stadiums before and during the game but cannot be brought into the stands.
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