Safe Standing Areas allowed to Premier League and Championship clubs
Standing terraces in England's top division were prohibited under reforms introduced in the aftermath of the Hillsborough Disaster when 96 Liverpool fans were killed by a crush in the Leppings Lane End during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
As announced by the United Kingdom government on Monday, Premier League and Championship clubs have been given the green light to introduce safe standing areas from the start of the 2022-23 campaign. This was after a successful trial during the second half of last season involving Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Cardiff City. Brentford, QPR and Wolves also are planning to join in offering standing in designated seated areas for home and away fans while other teams can apply to operate licensed safe standing areas.
Nadine Dorries said:
"Thanks to a robust trial, thorough evidence and modern engineering, we are now ready to allow standing once again in our grounds.
"We are not reintroducing terraces and only clubs which meet strict safety criteria will be permitted."
The Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) released a report on Monday, revealing that the trial run delivered a positive impact on fan safety.
"
We welcome the controlled return of standing for the modern era, which has been made possible by a very close collaboration with the government,”
SGSA
chief executive Martyn Henderson said.
"This is a historic moment for football – and, most importantly, for the fans who have campaigned for this change and will be safer as a result of today's decision."
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