Portuguese football authorities are cautiously pushing for the eventual reintroduction of low-alcohol beverages in stadiums, but only if security forces can establish safe implementation protocols and ensure full legal compliance.
Reinaldo Teixeira, President of the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP), stated Wednesday that while current law must be followed, national police forces hold the ultimate decision on how any changes could proceed. He made these remarks at an international congress focused on safer sports events.
Speaking to an audience that included officers from Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) and National Republican Guard (GNR), Teixeira emphasized that security agencies must outline the operational framework for alcohol sales. “The law is clear, it has rules, and we have to comply with the law,” he said.
Teixeira acknowledged that sports clubs across the country desire to offer low-alcohol options like beer and cider within stadiums. However, he stressed the LPFP’s commitment to prioritizing safety above all else.
“If the arrival of drinks inside the stadiums jeopardizes that security, I will be the first to say we don’t want them,” Teixeira affirmed. Despite this stance, he believes it is “possible” to achieve both alcohol consumption and maintain security simultaneously.
The LPFP President expressed conviction that, through a gradual process, it will be proven that fans “deserve that experience inside the stadiums.” He cited practices in various parts of Europe and the world where such consumption is common.
Teixeira confirmed that the allowance of alcohol in stadiums is a significant topic of discussion during his ongoing meetings with First and Second League clubs. He indicated that clubs generally agree that consumption “makes sense,” but are also “sensitive and respectful of compliance with the law.”