Alcohol allowed at seats for Scotland's World Cup play-off

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that spectators will be allowed to drink alcohol at their seats when Scotland host the Czech Republic in the second leg of their Women’s World Cup play-off in Paisley on Tuesday. The match is set to be played at the home of St Mirren, known in the report as the Marbill Coaches Stadium, and the decision comes after Renfrewshire Council approved the application for the women’s game, which is not covered by the law that bans drinking in view of the pitch at men’s professional matches.

According to the Scottish FA, the move is another step in testing a more managed approach to alcohol sales at football grounds, with the aim of supporting a safe and positive matchday experience. The report says this is the first time since 1981 that football fans in Scotland have been able to consume alcohol in sight of the pitch at a professional game. Previous pilots have already led to Aberdeen receiving a permanent alcohol licence, while other clubs have trialled temporary fan zones outside stadiums.

The on-field context is that Scotland lead 2-0 from the first leg in Czech Republic, and the winner will advance to the next play-off round. BBC Sport also notes that Sweden are likely to be the next opponents, with a large first-leg advantage over Lithuania.