A DECISION is yet to be taken on whether Fife pubs will be allowed to stay open late to screen Scotland’s World Cup fixtures.
Steve Clarke’s men will head to the USA in June with their opening fixture against Haiti kicking off at 2am UK time on June 14.
Group games against Morocco and Brazil will then follow on June 19 and 24 with kick off times at 11pm.
While Fife Licensing Board are still to make a decision as to what changes will be made to accommodate fans wanting to enjoy a pint in a pub or fanzone while watching Scotland, the matter came under the spotlight at their meeting on Monday.
Sergeant Neil Ewing, from Police Scotland, said decisions would need to be taken in the coming months.
He told board members: “We are currently waiting on word from the Scottish Government on whether they are going to issue statutory guidance.
“At the moment we don’t know if they are going to issue guidance.
“It could be dealt with by the board issuing general extensions. That could be to all premises, specific types of premises, for the whole duration or for certain games or by extended hours applications for current licenced applicants or a combination of all of this.
“Only one board (Aberdeen) has so far issued a decision about what they are going to do. They are going to go for a blanket 3am for all premises over the whole duration and allow extension for half an hour after the games for Scottish games.”
He said football fans are also likely to watch games involving the home nations with England qualified and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland still with the possibility of qualification through play offs.
“There is a lot to be considered between now and the end of April when this is going to have to take place,” he continued.
“It is very much at a stage where we are relying heavily on what the Scottish Government are telling us.
“If Fife Council go the same way as Aberdeen council, we will have to try and manage it but we have to consider that there is a very distinct lack of police officers because back shift finishes at 3am.”
Depute clerk to the licensing board, Kimberley Langley, confirmed a decision would need to be taken by the end of April at the latest.
She said no application have yet been made because a decision over what would be required is yet to be taken.
“We will consider it as soon as possible. When we have a position, we will advertise what we are thinking,” she said.
“It is a board decision so they can note what the government say but it is a board decision. We will have to ask police, LSOs (licensing standards officers) and the trade for any comments.”
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