Five clubs given green light for safe standing
FIVE clubs will take part in a safe standing trial from January 1.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Cardiff have had their applications to operate licensed safe standing areas approved.
The trial marks the end of a blanket ban on standing in the top two tiers of English football which has been in place for more than 25 years.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “The time is now right to properly trial safe standing in the Premier League and EFL Championship ahead of a decision on a widespread roll-out.
“Safety is absolutely paramount and the SGSA (Sports Grounds Safety Authority) is working hand-in-glove with the clubs on this.
“Fans deserve different options on how they can enjoy a live match and I will be watching the progress of these trials with interest.”
The pilot will be monitored by the independent firm CFE Research, and its findings will be provided to the Government ahead of a decision on a possible wider roll-out next season.
It is understood Liverpool did not apply to take part in the pilot, because they are already running their own trial with two areas of rail seating at
Anfield.
The Merseyside club’s current trial is only designed to allow safe standing at particular moments of excitement in a game, rather than throughout.
Standing areas in what is now the Premier League and Championship were outlawed by legislation passed in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.
The UK’s football policing lead, Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police, has criticised what he sees as a ‘headlong rush’ to reintroduce standing areas.
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