The Tarcisio de Freitas (Republican) government gave a green light to the resumption of alcohol sales in São Paulo stadiums, prohibited by state law since 1996.
On Monday (29), state deputy delegate Olim (PP) said he received from Secretary Arthur Lima (House) the information that the Bandeirantes Palace closed agreement with the Military Police, the São Paulo Public Prosecutor and the State Public Defender’s Office to release alcohol trade in these places.
The statement was given during the participation of the parliamentarian at a public hearing called to discuss the issue at Alesp (Legislative Assembly of São Paulo).
Olim is the author of one of the projects that regulate alcohol consumption in the stadiums, although other deputies also have similar proposals presented.
He said he intends to gather all in one text and will discuss later this week with Alesp President André do Prado (PL). The idea is to ask for agility in processing the theme. “The whole of Brazil drinks in the stadiums. Only here in Sao Paulo not,” he said.
“Before the game, the stadium is empty. When it’s going to start, fill. Why? Because people are all drinking outside and turbocharged to see the game.”
The parliamentarian also stated that, if regulated, the sale will not be indiscriminate. He defended parameters how to limit the alcohol content of the beverages offered to the public and discipline the times when the sale is released.
The hearing to discuss the regulation of alcohol sales in the stadiums was summoned by Deputy Felipe Franco (União Brasil), today rapporteur of the olim project. He stated to be favorable to the measure.
“Responsible consumption of alcohol is the right of the adult citizen. It is not for the state to impose absolute prohibitions, but to create clear rules and awareness mechanisms,” said the parliamentarian.
He cited countries where the sale of alcohol in the stadiums is allowed, such as England and Germany, and said this does not translate into increased violence. “On the contrary, it reduces this risk because the fan avoids excessive consumption before the game,” he said.
Alesp even approved in 2019 project that released alcohol consumption in the stadiums, but the text was vetoed by then -governor João Doria. The proposal released the sale an hour and a half before the start of matches and up to one hour after their end.
In addition to the legislative sphere, the law that prohibited the sale of alcohol, 1996, has already been challenged in the courts.
One of the actions came from São Paulo Futebol Clube, which asked the ban on the argument that it has no constitutional protection.
The TJ-SP (Court of Justice of São Paulo) rejected the action in a decision upheld by the Supreme Court last year.
