According to the Glasgow Times, drug use at football matches in Scotland has surpassed excessive alcohol consumption as the primary safety concern for people attending games.
In a study conducted by health and behaviour experts from the University of Stirling, it’s been discovered that there has been a noticeable rise in football fans using cocaine.
The research explored the relationship between football fans and drug abuse, revealing that supporters in attendance and organisations involved in match safety reported this alarming trend.
The study involved a series of interviews with various stakeholders, including fans, the police, government advisers, football supporters’ groups and safety organisations.
The unanimous consensus among all parties was that cocaine has emerged as a massive concern during match days, surpassing alcohol.
This shift in focus reflects the changing landscape of substance use among football fans and highlights the need for forceful interventions and preventive measures to address this issue effectively.
During the study, a police representative informed researchers that they perceive the use of the class A drug on match days to be ‘extensive’.
He also shared his belief that cocaine use has become a significant factor in fans engaging in violence and disruptive behaviour, underscoring its abuse as one of the main reasons behind match day incidents.
The study examined how the current legislation concerning alcohol at football matches impacts the consumption habits of attendees.
In England, the existing regulations permit football supporters to buy alcohol at stadiums but forbid the consumption within sight of the pitch.
By contrast, there is a general prohibition on the sale of alcohol at football matches in Scotland, except in hospitality settings.
The latest exhibit of fans brutality took place in Prague as Fiorentina fans attacked their West Ham United counterparts on the streets in the build-up to the Europa Conference League final.
Retaliation was swift and ugly, with the Hammers supporters hurling objects at La Viola captain Cristiano Biraghi during the match, leading to a severe UEFA punishment.
