Manchester authorities relax drinking ban ahead of fan influx

Published on Friday 9 May 2008 22:18

MANCHESTER councillors admitted yesterday that trying to stop Rangers fans drinking before the Uefa Cup final would be like telling them to "stop breathing".

A by-law in the city bans drinking in some public areas, but supporters are unlikely to face police action if they enjoy a pint in designated areas.

Fan zones will be set up in the city for the tens of thousands of ticketless Rangers fans expected for the clash against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester next Wednesday.

The authorities did not go as far as saying the by-law would be suspended for the match, but suggested fans would be allowed to drink in the areas set aside for them.

When asked about drinking in public, Chief Superintendent Gerry Donnellan said: "We will be taking a relaxed and friendly policing style next Wednesday. We would appreciate if that sort of style was reciprocated by the fans. I won't be telling them not to drink."

It is likely this relaxed style will only be practiced within the designated fan zones which will be licensed venues complete with their own bars. Fans wishing to exit these areas will not be allowed onto the streets while still carrying their drinks.

Vicky Rosin, assistant chief executive at Manchester City Council, said an attempt to prevent fans drinking would be like telling them to "stop breathing". She predicted fan zones would accommodate around 15,000 Rangers fans and 8,000 Zenit supporters.

Rosin said Mancunians were set to welcome the influx of Scottish football supporters – and predicted it would benefit the local economy to the tune of 5 million. "We expect there to be a lovely, party atmosphere," she said.

"We have many visitors to our town, they are going to be spending a lot of money and that is a benefit to the local economy." she added.

Meanwhile, thousands of the fortunate Rangers fans eligible for a Uefa Cup final ticket created huge queues outside Ibrox throughout yesterday as they waited to take possession of their valuable briefs.