THE debate about alcohol at football matches seems to come around as often as the ones about the Old Firm going to England or Scotland’s place in an Atlantic League.

While those two, and discussions around plastic pitches and league reconstruction, are fairly tedious affairs, it is time for a serious look at legislation that bans Scottish football fans from having a drink whilst watching their team.

The issue was brought back to the fore by Shaun Harvey, the chief executive of the English Football League, last week as he called for a change in the law south of the border.

At present, supporters everywhere from Manchester to Macclesfield can consume alcohol in the concourse and hospitality areas before and after games and at half-time but no drink is allowed whilst they are watching the match.

Those rules were introduced in 1985 under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act. The game has changed significantly since then, and so has the world and society.

“To have a blanket ban remaining in 2018 is, in our view, disproportionate to today’s level of risk,” Harvey said. “One of the key issues that requires further examination is the fact football is being treated inconsistently with other sports.

“The EFL would always request football is given the same opportunities as other sports, so the many law-abiding citizens attending matches who wish to be able to drink while posing no threat to public order are able to do so.”

Scotland, of course, has even tougher legislation in place and not a sip of drink has been taken legally on the terraces here since the fall-out from the 1980 Scottish Cup final at Hampden. That may have been the tipping point but it is time for the balance to swing back in the other direction.

Scottish football supporters have long been treated with suspicion and derision by the authorities. The hugely flawed, derided and soon to be scrapped Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 is the case in point.

For too long, fans have been an easy target but supporting your team is not a crime. Having a drink whilst doing just that shouldn’t be either.

It is not acceptable that football crowds are being discriminated against on a weekly basis and that punters are treated differently to other sections of society.

If you go to the rugby, you can have a drink. If you go to a concert you can have a drink. But you want to watch your side and have a pint? Don’t even think about it.

That imbalance cannot be justified and it should no longer be tolerated by right-minded, law-abiding, fair football fans. They should have the same choice as anyone that goes to see Glasgow Warriors or Kevin Bridges.

Of course football is a more highly-charged, emotional environment than other forms of entertainment. But that doesn’t mean that fights will break out across the stands and pint glasses will be lobbed onto the pitch.

Every club has a section of morons that unfortunately attach themselves to the game but they are society’s problem as much as football’s. The majority cannot be penalised for a fear of the minority.

Fans aren’t exactly short of places to drink at grounds up and down the country before they take their seats so if they are allowed to consume alcohol in a pub around the corner, why not in the stadium?

And why should clubs be denied the chance to benefit financially from their own supporters every other week?

Anything that improves the matchday experience and boosts the balance sheet should be seriously considered.

It will take a driving force at Hampden and Holyrood but fans, through supporters’ groups, Trusts and as shareholders have a voice.

As Scotland strives to become a fairer and more equal society, football fans should not be left behind. Everyone will surely drink to that.