Government Plans To Lift Football Standing Ban In Football Stadia
The government is planning to lift the ban on standing in the English Premier League and Championship. When introduced, it would mean that for the first time in over 25 years, fans of some top league football clubs would be legally allowed to stand and watch their team play.
The chair of the Football Supporters Association, Malcolm Clarke, said: "People who want to stand should be able to do so in safety. Those who want to sit should be able to do so without having their view blocked."
He added: "The safety and customer care arguments have been won. We would urge the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to proceed as soon as possible."
In an interview in The Times, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "It's the sensible thing to do because fans are standing all the way through [games] anyway and you can do it in a safer way.
"We've got terrible experience in the past and more recent experience with things like the Euros, which just means we need to make sure we get this right.
"We're engaging with the police and others, but we'll get to the stage this season where we'll see safe-standing, at least in pilot form."
In 1994, the law in England changed to require all fans in English and Welsh stadiums to sit throughout the match, although thousands of supporters continue to stand throughout matches. The legislation was introduced following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 which led to the death of over 90 Liverpool supporters.
As part of their 2019 general election manifesto, the Conservatives promised to work towards the introduction of safe standing areas. These have been introduced in Scotland, and since 2016 around 3,000 Celtic fans have been able to make use of a safe standing section.
It is understood that government ministers will instruct the regulator, the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA), to choose clubs that can trial safe standing, and they are then invited to register an interest in taking part if desired. Successful applicants will be granted updated licences that would only allow standing in specially designated areas. If the initial trials prove successful, it is expected that legislation would be extended to cover all stadia in England's top two divisions within the next few years.
A spokesperson for the Sports Ground Safety Authority said: "We are working closely with the government on planning the next steps for implementing this manifesto commitment."
In anticipation of the change in legislation, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have all installed rail seating over the summer. To avoid any risk of overcrowding, supporters occupy the same space standing as sitting. To achieve this, the new seats are incorporated into a waist high rail for the supporters behind to lean on.
Safe standing is extremely popular with football fans, giving them the freedom to fully enjoy their matchday experience, and so they will be wishing every success for the trials.
