I read in disbelief the comments (LT, March 30) by police about the Burnley v Blackburn Rovers game.

Once again it is the old scenario where it is so easy to blame football supporters when something goes wrong.

Blackburn Rovers supporters were bussed into this ground over two hours prior to the game. Of course the majority of them are going to congregate at an open bar?

I entered the stadium around 10am, then proceeded to fight through a jam-packed concourse. Upon finally getting to the (bottle only) bar it was apparent people where buying bottles in twos and threes to save them needing to go back. I finally got my drinks, and made my way to the corner of the concourse around 30 minutes later.

Shortly after this, we were approached by two police officers and a steward who told us the bar was closed and asked us to make our way to our seats. I told the officers I would do so once I had finished my drink. The officer’s response was: “We have 11 coach loads waiting to enter the ground, we need to clear the concourse so we can get them all in, therefore on this occasion can you please take your drinks with you and clear this area.”

I pointed out that this is an offence. It was at this point made quite clear to the visiting supporters that we weren’t just being allowed to take alcohol to our seats but were being instructed to take our alcohol to our seats and clear the concourse.

At the bottom of the steps leading towards the stand, we were stopped by a steward who said we couldn’t take alcohol upstairs. Upon explaining what the officers had told us, the steward got clarification from a nearby officer and allowed us to pass him with bottles in hand.

Mark Fish (address supplied)