SPORTS fans have criticised the double standards of a drink ban at football events as rugby fans will be able to enjoy alcohol at the same stadium just days apart.
Rugby fans will be able to enjoy a pint at Hampden Park just 48 hours after football supporters are banned from buying beer for a Scottish Championship fixture at the national stadium.
The Glasgow Warriors will host Edinburgh Rugby at Hampden on December 22 for the first leg of the 1872 Cup.
The Warriors have chosen to move the match from their Scotstoun home, as it only holds 7000 people, with their managing director Al Kellock saying it could become an annual event if it proves a success.
During the announcement, Kellock confirmed that rugby fans will be able to get a beer at their seats for the cup tie.
However, football fans won't be able to do the same at the Premier Sports Cup Final the weekend before or when Queen’s Park hosts Raith Rovers at the same stadium just days before the rugby clash.
Announcing the Warriors fixtures move to Hampden Kellock said: "We're delighted to get it over the line. We've been speaking to various stadiums around Scotland, particularly around Glasgow, for a long time.
“I came into Hampden a few months ago and met Ian Maxwell here and the conversation has been great.
“The SFA have been really supportive and brilliant at looking at what we want to get out of it. It's also about proving the concept that we can do this. I want this place to be absolutely rocking. The boys deserve it and the club deserves it as well.”
Last month SNP MSP George Adam called on the Scottish Government to rethink the ban and said that selling alcohol at football grounds could be done safely if under a controlled environment.
However, the Scottish Government said it had “no plan” to review the legislation which was introduced by the Tories in 1980 following riots at the Scottish Cup Final.
John Swinney said that his priority was instead to create “a safe and supportive sporting environment for all”.
