Fans urged to stand for choice
voice the government can no longer ignore.
An online petition to debate the issue in parliament reached 100,000 signatories on Wednesday night, a fact welcomed by Sports Minister Tracey Crouch.
However, it was her decision to block West Brom’s plans to install rail seating that prompted the petition, which is aiming to attract 800,000 more fans in the final two weekends of the season.
The EFL will point supporters of the league’s 72 clubs to an online poll and ask if they approve of the option to stand and whether they would choose to do so.
Standing is banned only in the top two tiers of football and 21 clubs retain terraced sections.
Due to the grace period given to teams promoted from League One, a relegated West Brom could be denied standing facilities that are in place at Shrewsbury in the same division.
It is this discrepancy the EFL want to address with their Stand up for Choice campaign.
“We understand why the issue is sensitive,” said EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey. “The safety of all fans is of paramount importance to everyone. But by surveying fans, we will provide government with a clear indication of the strength of feeling among supporters.
“It is unclear why clubs can offer standing in League One and League Two but not in the Championship or above. If standing areas are licensed as being safe, they don’t become any less safe because the standard of football being played.”