New measures to prevent drunken behaviour at Wales rugby games do not go far enough, says former wheelchair rugby star Paul Davies.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced Principality Stadium's bars will close after half-time in the Six Nations men's championship — one of several trial measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of the antisocial behaviour from the autumn series.
The autumn internationals saw a six-year-old boy being vomited on by a drunk fan as well as two pitch invader incidents. Mr Davies, who represented Wales and Great Britain in wheelchair rugby, said the series was plagued by the worst drunkenness he had seen in 40 years following the Welsh rugby union team.
Read next: Get the latest news, sport and interviews from Wales here
Reacting to the new measures, the 59-year-old said: "So the WRU will close the bars after halftime. What is the point of that? These measures don’t deter those who drink too much from getting beer after beer after beer before the bars close. It won’t stop them getting up during the game to go back and forth to the bar or toilet.
"Why doesn’t the WRU either close the bars after kick-off or put in place what the football does and ban drinks being taken into the game, so if they want to drink they stay in the concourse? I really think the WRU has missed an opportunity here. They haven’t really listened to the complaints, they’re too concerned with making profit."
The new measures are subject to an ongoing review. Lower percentage alcohol draught beer will be phased into bars on concourses, with Heineken bringing in 4.1% ABV Amstel Bier to eventually replace the stronger Heineken (5%) product.
The WRU says stewarding teams will be addressing poor behaviour "with increased vigour". Hospitality staff and stewards will refuse drunk fans service and/or entry to the ground.
Mr Davies witnessed supporters spill drinks on other fans, throw up and brawl last November as Wales beat Australia 29-28 at the Principality.
Speaking about the autumn fixtures held in Cardiff, he said at the time: "I've seen so-called 'fans' so drunk they’re passed out in their seats, 'fans' so drunk they are constantly getting up back and forth during the game to go to the toilet or worse still, get more drink."
In the Australia game, six-year-old Joey Delaney was vomited on by a drunk fan, leaving him in " floods of tears " at his first Wales match.
Announcing the new measures, WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said: "We want our supporters to remain passionate and enthused and to continue to bring their best voices to the Principality Stadium — throughout the recent pandemic it is our supporters who we, and the Wales team, have missed most — but we also need them to behave responsibly and to encourage those around them to do the same.
Head to our rugby section for all the latest news, views and analysis
"We have taken a series of measures which are designed to change a direction of travel from some quarters which was detected at our Autumn Nations Series matches, but do so without negatively impacting the experience of a hardcore and hugely significant base of supporters who make the Principality Stadium experience what it is.
"These measures are not radical, but they do seek to address an issue that has been recently recognised and it is my commitment to all Wales supporters that we will not stop, and we will continue to evolve, until this issue is eradicated. We have always boasted that we have the best supporters in the world game in Wales and we firmly believe that this remains the case.
"We recognise that these trial measures will be welcomed by some fans, others will feel that we’ve either gone too far or done too little. We recognise and acknowledge everyone’s point of view, but these measures are about getting the right balance for all our fans to ensure they enjoy a great stadium experience during the upcoming Six Nations."
Wales' Six Nations campaign will start on Saturday against Ireland in Dublin. The first game at the Principality will be on February 12 against Scotland.
To get the latest rugby news delivered straight to your inbox you can sign up for our Welsh rugby newsletter.
