English fans’ drinking gives Starmer-Burnham transition a headache

This post was originally published on Politico.

LONDON — As England continues its World Cup campaign, back across the Atlantic a political row about soccer’s drinking culture is in full swing.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer broke with his imminent successor Andy Burnham over whether soccer fans should be allowed to consume alcohol while watching games.

Starmer is due to hand over power to Burnham in two weeks and has promised a smooth transition and to support his successor without interfering from the sidelines.

But after Burnham said over the weekend that there was “something wrong” with a ban on fans drinking in view of the