Industry News

Government ‘unconvinced’ by safe standing

The UK government “remains unconvinced” by the case to reintroduce safe standing to Premier League and Championship football grounds in England.

In its ‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation’ report, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it has not been persuaded that standing return to the country’s biggest football stadiums.

It added that it will continue to monitor the success of Celtic’s 2,600-capacity safe standing area which was opened at the start of the season.

Premier League clubs agreed further talks on the possibility of introducing safe standing at grounds in November, and recently Manchester United was reported to be considering how it could be incorporated into plans for expansion of Old Trafford.

A change to allow standing in England would need a change in legislation.

“Since a rail seating section was installed at Celtic Park, there has been growing speculation that such accommodation could be introduced into Premier League and Championship football grounds,” the Department for Media, Culture and Sports announced.

“The government remains unconvinced by the case put forward for re-introducing standing accommodation at football grounds covered by the all-seater requirement, but will continue to monitor how it is working at Celtic.”

When the Premier League announced that clubs would be consulted on safe standing, it admitted that while many supporters would welcome the move, others are opposed on grounds of safety. Legislation to outlaw terraces was imposed following the death of 96 Liverpool fans during the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989.

“This is a complex and emotive topic with a number of issues, varying from club to club, which need to be considered carefully before clubs can decide if they wish to pursue any changes, including legislative, that are required to allow them the option of safe standing areas in their grounds,” the Premier League said in a statement.