India, Sept. 24 -- For over four decades, English football supporters have lived under a rule that applies to almost no other sport in the country. You can buy a pint inside the stadium concourse, but taking a single sip within view of the pitch is a criminal offence.

That long-standing taboo has now been blown wide open by the UK's Prime Minister Andy Burnham. His call to scrap the ban has triggered a fierce national debate over class discrimination, stadium safety, and the culture of English football.

What Did Andy Burnham Say About Drinking Alcohol in Football Stadiums?

Burnham has publicly signalled that the UK government should consider lifting the decades-old ban on drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch.

Speaking on the issue, ...