SPL secretary Iain Blair is to approach the Scottish Executive to discuss making alcohol available on a trial basis at games. This follws last month's announcement that rugby union supporters had been given the green light to buy alcoholic drinks at Scotland's Murrayfield internationals following a ruling by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. Blair said: "I would be disappointed if there weren't experiments going on in a pilot basis where everybody clearly understands what the objective is in that time scale. If we can't even discuss it and experiment with it then that is a very disappointing indictment on Scottish culture. Let's find out if there are ways we can made it work in the modern football environment and, if there are, then great."

Blair claims there is little reason for bars at Hampden to be open for pop concerts but closed for football games. Alcohol was banned in Scottish stadiums after rioting which followed the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden. SFA chief executive Gordon Smith is willing to lend his support to the campaign to lift the ban, but stressed he would be listening carefully to any recommendations made by the police. Smith said: "I think this is something which should be looked at, although it would have to be done in conjunction with the police and other authorities. We had our problems in Scotland and that is why alcohol was banned from grounds. We have to ask whether these problems still exist."