Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LIVERPOOL ARE TAKING FIRM STAND
LIVERPOOL will maintain their opposition to introduce standing at top-flight stadiums after the idea was proposed this week. The Premier League has written to all their member clubs as part of a wide-ranging consultation on the idea of ‘safe standing’, and asked all 20 which – if any – would be interested in piloting such a scheme. League officials have stressed they have no plans at this stage to pursue the idea, but want to get the views of the clubs before deciding whether to move forward on a request by some fan groups to allow limited standing at grounds. Liverpool have always backed their fans in opposing the idea, and it is understood their response will be clear in declining to take part in any pilot. Standing was outlawed at football grounds on the recommendation of the 1990 report by Lord Justice Taylor (above) into the Hillsborough Disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed. But in recent years, groups such as the Football Supporters’ Federation have campaigned to reintroduce limited standing areas using modern seating technology, like rail seats. The Hillsborough Family Support Group has always opposed safe standing and will continue to do so. Government legislation was introduced to outlaw standing at football grounds, and there is an understanding the law would need to be changed in Parliament to allow it. Stoke fans have called for clubs to consider the idea, with FSF chairman