Final’s safe standing at Wembley

WEMBLEY will have safe standing at a domestic cup final for the first time in 35 years.

EFL bosses have confirmed Manchester United and Newcastle United will both get 867 tickets each in new standing areas at the stadium for the Carabao Cup final later this month.

The decision has been welcomed by Newcastle fans (above, celebrating Sean Longstaff’s opening goal in the semi-final on Tuesday night), with the return of safe standing also likely to pave the way for a similar approach at the FA Cup semi-finals and final.

The Newcastle Supporters’ Trust, with more than 13,000 members, said: “NUST is a firm believer in safe standing being an option for Premier League football clubs and fans. We fully support the Football Supporters’ Federation in their position on safe standing.”

Standing and terraces were removed from top-flight

English football after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 when 97 people lost their lives, leading to the introduction of all-seater stadiums.

But there has been a call for the return of safe standing areas, with each row having a seat and a rail, while the licensing authorities believe it makes stadiums safer.

The Sports Ground Safety Authority also believe it will help from a security point of view, amid the recent surge in crowd trouble, as it makes fans easier to identify, while the rails make it safer during goal celebrations.

The new special standing areas prevent fans from falling forward, while supporters must remain seated in all other parts of the stadium.

Tottenham installed safe standing rails in their £1billion stadium, while Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all taken part in trials. It was also tested at Wembley for the Nations League.

Liverpool have rails installed at Anfield, but, to date, have yet to apply for a licence.