The Met Police Commissioner has warned that any proposal to allow football fans to drink alcohol in the stands should be considered "really carefully".

Laws which prevent drinking in view of the pitch at stadiums for clubs in the top five tiers of men's football in England were introduced in 1985, when the then-home secretary suggested alcohol was a "major contributory factor in violent and disorderly behaviour" in the grounds.

However, the prime minister recently said current "legislation dates to an era where football was very different".

Sir Mark Rowley told the London Assembly he was concerned about violence and drug abuse at football matches and any further "loosening" of regulations.

"I wish the culture at football matches was the same as it is at other sporting events - it's not," Sir Mark said.

"We still see violence at football matches. We still see challenges.

"Any step back at loosening the regulations would have to be really carefully thought about. I'm worried about the violence we still see at matches. I'm worried about the drugs we see at matches. So I'd be very cautious about it."

The mayor was asked about his view on the issue, but said he would provide a written response.

The mayor was contacted by the BBC for comment.

During the meeting, Sir Mark was also asked about the general cost of policing football matches in London, which is home to 14 professional football clubs.

Between August and December 2025, the Met Police spent approximately £12.3m policing Premier League football matches in the capital. The force received less than £1.1m for its special police services during that time.

In 2023, the mayor of London said that the extensive bills "reflect the increased risk of crime, disorder and ASB", as well as the Met's response to the recommendations in the Baroness Casey report into the Euro 2020 final disorder in July 2021.

Sir Mark told the London Assembly that he wanted to see the policing cost of football matches reimbursed by the "polluter".

"It's a big amount of police resources that are going to police football matches," he said. "I would like to see that fully reimbursed. I know the government's considering it."

Lord Khan said he hoped the Met Police could receive "further support in relation to this important issue".

Last year Policing Minister Sarah Jones said the government was "concerned" that the cost of policing football matches on the public purse was "too high", adding that ministers were "exploring ways to address this".

A Home Office source said: "The government does not have any imminent plans to amend the law preventing drinking alcohol within view of the pitch at designated football matches.

"We continue to keep alcohol controls under review, taking into account football disorder issues and trends."

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