Alcohol for fans to be trialled at women's matches

Allowing fans to drink alcohol will be trialled at two Women's Championship clubs this season, says Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) chief executive Nikki Doucet.

The newly launched WPLL, which governs the Women's Super League and second-tier Championship, is discussing measures with their key stakeholders as part of a pilot that could lead to wider adoption across the women's game.

Discussions by the WPLL are at an early stage and the trial clubs have yet to be chosen but it is part of wider measures to capitalise on the growth of the sport.

Laws have been in place since 1985 banning the drinking of alcohol in view of the pitch in men's football, but the ban in the women's game has, until now, been self-imposed by football's authorities.

Speaking at the Leaders Week London event, Doucet said: "We are going to test it in a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we will see what we will learn from that.

"I think the behaviour of our fan base is different. It is about giving our fans choices while maintaining safety and being responsible."

Alcohol consumed in view of the football pitch was banned in 1985 to curb a wave of hooliganism in the men's game in England.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 was also introduced to ban alcohol consumption on trains and buses to the matches, applying to the top five tiers of men's football.

That has since been reflected in the Football Association (FA) regulations and adopted during the rise of women's football, included in the current regulations in the Women's Super League and Championship, which have been taken over by the new WPLL this season.

The newly launched WPLL can now change the rules without FA oversight.

The comments were part of a wider discussion around growing the women's game further in England to make the game "cool" with a young audience, and Doucet urged support from the men's game.

"When I look at what the NBA (National Basketball Association) is doing and the respect they are showing to the WNBA - that's very authentic," she added.

"They know they are great basketball players and I'd like to see more of that [towards the WSL]. These are elite athletes who are very inspiring."

Doucet also confirmed the WPLL is "undergoing a workshop" on homegrown player rules which is "under review at the moment".

On homegrown talent having opportunities in the WSL, she added: "Women's football has a smaller talent pool globally and it is crucial we have investment to give access to girls to play football. It is something we are looking at and it is being worked on."