By David Gold
March 23 – The Football Supporters’ Federation today launched their petition to give supporters the choice to watch football games from a safe standing area at stadiums in England and Wales.
The Federation, which represents more than 180,000 and affiliates, are presenting the petition to Government and football authorities.
All seater stadiums were brought in by the Taylor Report in the 1990s after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, which saw 96 Liverpool fans killed as the stadium became overcrowded.
Standing is still permitted though at rugby union and league venues in England and Wales, as well as at speedway, horce racing and other concerts taking place at football stadiums.
Football fans across Europe, particularly in Germany, are able to stand in designated areas, and this has fuelled the Federation’s desire to see standing return to English football.
A National Supporters’ Survey carried out by the Federation found that 90 per cent of fans would back a choice of sitting or standing.
The Federation also argues that by bringing in a choice, fans who prefer to sit will benefit from not having their views blocked by fellow supporters who regularly stand up during games.
“We do think fans in the Premier League or Championship should also be allowed to stand in safety as those in any other division can,” they said.
“We are not suggesting that clubs should be forced to provide safe standing areas – only that they should be allowed the choice.
“Issues around cost and feasibility should be a matter for individual clubs, not for Government.
“Many opponents to safe standing mistakenly cite Hillsborough as a reason not to allow its introduction, however the disaster was not caused by standing; the Taylor Report primarily blamed overcrowding, stadium layout, and poor policing.
“It did not ban standing nor claim it was inherently unsafe.”
UEFA regulations also stipulate that European competitions must be played in all seater stadiums, but the Federation argue that standing areas can be easily converted to seating depending on the game.
The campaign is being support by Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster, who has launched a Safe Standing Bill due for a second reading in Parliament on June 17.
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