Safe Standing at SoL
The number of fans allowed into the Stadium of Light on match days could be decreased if it were ever given permission for safe standing areas.
An application to renew the ground’s safety certificate for the coming season was approved by members of Sunderland City Council (SCC) yesterday.
This set capacity at 48,339 for non-segregation games and 48,095 for segregated fixtures.
But following a question on safe standing from Coun Peter Gibson, members of the council’s Regulatory Committee were told that by converting seating areas the number of fans may have to be limited.
Paul Baxter, SCC’s building control manager, said: “The safe standing they’re trialling in other parts of the country is rail standing and it does reduce capacity.
“I think there’s a lot of resistance in Government on bringing back standing, but I think it’s safe standing that’s the issue.”
Premier League and Championship teams have been required to provide allseater stadiums since 1994, following the Taylor Report on the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster.
In recent years the Football Supporters’ Federation has been campaigning for the introduction of safe standing areas at grounds.
Last week the issue was discussed in Parliament after a petition calling for change gained more than 112,000 signatures.
At the debate, sports minister Tracey Crouch said the Government would launch a review, which could be completed by the end of the year.
Sunderland AFC has been contacted for comment.