MP grills sports minister over soccer safe standing
LIZ McInnes was one of two Greater Manchester MPs who piled pressure on the government to back safe standing at top league football stadiums ahead of a major review of regulations.
Stadia in the country’s top divisions have been outlawed after reforms following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.
However supporters groups, including those at both Manchester City and United, as well as dozens of clubs and even the Football League, are lobbying for a change in the law which would allow safe standing areas to be trialled.
Labour has announced its support for the policy, but so far the government has only pledged to carry out a review.
The issue was due to be discussed in Parliament on Monday after more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for Premier League and Championship clubs to allow safe standing, triggering a debate.
The debate was due to take place in Westminster Hall.
However ahead of it two Greater Manchester MPs grilled Sports Minister Tracy Crouch on the matter in the House of Commons and called for her to back it.
Ms Crouch said: “I’m listening to a number of people from across the board of football, including the authorities. We’re looking at all the data and all the evidence and we will make a decision.”
Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes, whose constituency includes Bamford, Norden and Castleton, tried to pin her down on why football fans were treated differently to those of other sports such as rugby league.
She said: “My local football club, Rochdale AFC, plays at Spotland Stadium, which is also home to Rochdale Hornets Rugby League club, but if Rochdale AFC were promoted from League One to the Championship they would have to get rid of their standing area to the detriment of the rugby league fans.
“So can the minister explain why it’s safe to stand watching rugby but not safe to stand watching football?”
Ms Crouch responded, saying “there are variations in a number of policy matters between different sports”, again adding she would be reviewing the issue. ●●MP Liz McInnes (left) quizzed sports minister Tracy Crouch (right) over the campaign to bring back safe standing at top football stadiums
Withington MP Jeff Smith, who secured the commons question, asked: ““The majority of clubs and the leagues are now calling for safe standing so will the minister let the clubs work with the safe standing advisory groups to design a system works for them?”
Both the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) and City fans that collective The 1894 Group have appealed for safe standing to be introduced at Old Trafford and the Etihad.