Spain imposes 0.0 breathalyser checks at Segunda División matches; Andorra not adopting them

If you go to a Hypermotion League match (the competition in which FC Andorra plays), avoid drinking: Spanish police have begun conducting breathalyser checks on supporters at some Segunda División fixtures and have denied entry to those who test above a 0.0 level.

A 2010 Spanish royal decree allows refusal of access to sports venues and removal from them for people “under the effects” of alcohol or drugs, and authorises police to carry out alcohol and drug tests when they observe symptoms. Until recently that power had seldom been used. On 19 October, ahead of the Las Palmas–Eibar match, Spanish police carried out checks on entering fans; ten supporters recorded readings above 0.0, were expelled from the stadium and were each handed proposed fines of €600.

The provision has been applied in matches classified as high-risk or involving radical supporter groups. In the Las Palmas case, media reports said the measures followed incidents earlier that morning involving the club’s reserve team in Segunda Federación. Spain’s state commission against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport has indicated an intention to deploy such checks more frequently.

Andorra does not currently apply similar controls. Although clubs from the principality compete in Spanish competitions, Andorran law is separate: the current regulations prohibit bringing alcoholic beverages into stadiums and selling them inside venues, but do not include rules allowing breathalyser checks at stadium entrances or the expulsion of spectators solely on the basis of an alcohol reading.

Andorran authorities say police could intervene under general public-order legislation if behaviour threatens public safety, but that there is no provision in national norms for routine alcohol testing at sports venues and no plans to introduce such measures. Officials added that if future incidents involving supporter behaviour were detected, the possibility of adapting the rules could be considered.