Portsmouth News 24/7
Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Sunday August 31 2008
Time: 5:44PM
UK time is: 06:59:53
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Oi, Ashley no!
I was watching the Arsenal v Newcastle game on the box at the weekend and in the 2nd half Barcode owner Mike Ashley was spotted by the TV cameras with a pint in hand, which he downed... I did not really think much of it, nor did I when they also showed it on match of the day later that evening.
Take a look at the picture below though - do you see anything wrong with what he is doing?
At first glance, or thought you, much like I did at first, might think nothing of it... but give it some more thought, actually comprehend what he is doing - drinking - and where he is doing this - in the stand - and you get your answer!
What he is doing is actually very wrong in accordance with the laws of the game - it is highly illegal in fact and has, and probably will still, see plenty of others ejected, fined, arrested and even banned!
So why is something that is wrong for you or I to do ok for him, millions or not?
A fine would of course be pocket change to him, but if not dished out those that have been hit with a similar fines in the past should kick up a storm to see this refunded, whereas those that have been ejected and/or banned should also kick off. If banned from a ground they should have this ban overturned - as if it is ok for Ashley, how comes it is not ok for them...
To be honest, whilst I think drinking in the stand should not be a problem as this is something that you can do before a game, and even during - in the half time break - so long as it is not in the stand, so why not just allow this as they do at most other sporting events including Rugby and Cricket. Football might have 'a reputation' when it comes to alcohol and problems it might cause, but with this freely available - so long as you are not sitting in the stand - how is that much different?
I have a good mate who works for the FSF - Football Supporters Federation - so if anyone has been effected by a situation similar to the one Ashley put himself in at the weekend, with him apparently getting away with it, he would be very interested to hear how you were dealt with. 'If' you were punished then the FSF will be happy to fight your case, citing the 'oversight' given to Ashley as a basis to challenge your punishment.
Anyone effected by this with some form of punished can contact me on this email address portsmouth@vitalfootball.co.uk and I will pass on your details and the FSF will see what they can do to help you - they fight for the fans so let them fight for you if you feel you have a grievance...
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Your Comments
It's not worth worrying about to be honest. It was received in the pub though with a great 'chug chug chug' chant and huge cheer as he finished!
sneakay
A case of 'Different rules for higher people'. But i suppose that is his last pint for a while, after offering Owen £120,000 a week. Should be allowed. (but i suppose Health & Safety rears it ugly head here).
.Andrew.
I'd love to see one of the Newcastle stewards try and sling him out for it!
Tantona
maybe its apple juice???
CharlieChimes
Was he stood up at the same time? Yes he was, so that is two reasons for his ejection. Will the FA act? Of course not.
eastneydave
After what he's invested in the black & 5hite barcodes, I'm surprised it ain't a pint of neat whiskey!!!
storagematt
i think its a disgrace - why is he allowed to do something that everyone esle is 'supposedly' not allowed to? as dave points out standing on top of the drinking aswell!
pompeyrug
i have already had an email about this, which i have forwarded on to my mate at the FSF - hopefully they can do something to help him...
pompeyrug
This might be a silly outsider's question, but has the sale of alcohol always been banned at football matches? The idea is just kind of foreign to me since alcohol is served at every sporting event in the United States. I kind of like the idea personally, keeps people from getting out of control.
pompeyhouston
I watched this live and it made me laugh. I didn't think about what he was actually doing. Shouldn't be allowed to do this if nobody else can.
gunnerkid107
Houston.. Alcohol itself is no longer banned in the ground .. you just can't drink it in your seat or during the actually game... They generally stop serving it five miuns beofre kick-off at either half... Ironic thing is at Fratton that my seat is directly above the bar... So I can have a drink there but if I moved 30 feet directly upwards .. I couldn't ..ah well no big deal I just go to the pub before the game anyway !
Chix
Didn't he actually drink this at half time, just before the restart hence he finished his pint before the game and therefore could also stand!
sneakay
well, it showed him drinking it during the game... although it may have been an "action replay"...
pompeycarpet
i watched the game when it was on and im pretty sure that he was drinkiing the pint during the second half...either way, during the game or not he was in the stand drinking, which 'by law' isnt allowed is it! well not allowed if it were you or i...
pompeyrug
then again the law also states that if someone owns a match ticket then they aren't allowed to drink on the way to the game! the laws stupid sometimes isnt it!
jbaker
No it isnt stupid, i used to go when the fans got drunk and didnt get ejected, i remember the riots with drunk fans that caused us to have fences up. Those fences stopped fans getting out when drunk fans surged forward, and innocent people died. Sorry but we have these rules, good or bad as a result of what HAPPENED, not might happen. OK You can have a drink at half half, time but you dont drink 2 pints and carry another 3 back for the 2nd half, which would happen and would cause trouble. Sorry to offend anyone, but i like a drink too, in the right place, at the right time though. Keep football fun.
Midge
returning to the barcode owners pint, he has just said on SKY it was noln alcoholic
Midge
non alcoholic lol... does he think we are all thick...
Midge
If he thinks he's one of the lads, then he should abide by the same rules
pompeyyong
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