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Fans groups want a return to standing at football games | Fans groups want a return to standing at football games |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Supporters' groups from more than half of all Premier League clubs say they would like the option to stand at football matches again. | Supporters' groups from more than half of all Premier League clubs say they would like the option to stand at football matches again. |
Trusts from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Cardiff City say it would improve the atmosphere at games. | Trusts from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Cardiff City say it would improve the atmosphere at games. |
Some say adopting German-style "rail seats" could prevent injuries to fans who currently stand. | Some say adopting German-style "rail seats" could prevent injuries to fans who currently stand. |
The government says all-seater stadiums remain the best way to ensure safety. | The government says all-seater stadiums remain the best way to ensure safety. |
All-seater stadiums were made compulsory in the Championship and Premier League following an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster. | All-seater stadiums were made compulsory in the Championship and Premier League following an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster. |
In 1989, 96 Liverpool fans died watching their side play an FA Cup semi-final after a crush on the steel-fenced terraces at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. | In 1989, 96 Liverpool fans died watching their side play an FA Cup semi-final after a crush on the steel-fenced terraces at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. |
The Liverpool Supporters' Union, Spirit of Shankly, says they have not adopted a position on designated standing zones. | |
But supporters groups from 12 Premier League teams say they do back a trial. | But supporters groups from 12 Premier League teams say they do back a trial. |
Not all of the trusts contacted replied, while some clubs have more than one supporter group limiting an overall response. | Not all of the trusts contacted replied, while some clubs have more than one supporter group limiting an overall response. |
A statement from the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust said: "We believe that standing at football matches is not intrinsically dangerous and support a trial of safe standing at a professional club in England and Wales." | A statement from the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust said: "We believe that standing at football matches is not intrinsically dangerous and support a trial of safe standing at a professional club in England and Wales." |
The Chelsea Supporters' Trust added: "There is a majority [of members] in favour of standing at football grounds. Those in favour believe that it improves the atmosphere at the game." | The Chelsea Supporters' Trust added: "There is a majority [of members] in favour of standing at football grounds. Those in favour believe that it improves the atmosphere at the game." |
Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said: "Those that would like to stand would like to be able to stand, in a safer environment than it currently is. | Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said: "Those that would like to stand would like to be able to stand, in a safer environment than it currently is. |
"We have seen the rail seats in Germany and we believe they're an excellent solution. | "We have seen the rail seats in Germany and we believe they're an excellent solution. |
"Every row has a rail going across it so effectively nobody can fall forward, unlike the current scenario we have with the low-back plastic seats." | "Every row has a rail going across it so effectively nobody can fall forward, unlike the current scenario we have with the low-back plastic seats." |
Clubs in Sweden, Austria and Germany are just some of those to have standing areas with many using the rail seats system. | Clubs in Sweden, Austria and Germany are just some of those to have standing areas with many using the rail seats system. |
Thomas Franke is the stadium manager at Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg. | Thomas Franke is the stadium manager at Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg. |
He said: "There is a safety barrier with a seat attached. When the seats are locked up there is a gap between barriers to allow standing. | He said: "There is a safety barrier with a seat attached. When the seats are locked up there is a gap between barriers to allow standing. |
"It's completely safe and it's part of German football history and culture." | "It's completely safe and it's part of German football history and culture." |
VFL Wolfsburg say no-one has been injured while standing at their ground. | VFL Wolfsburg say no-one has been injured while standing at their ground. |
They also claim their 5,270 standing places are mostly taken by under-30s because it's cheaper. | They also claim their 5,270 standing places are mostly taken by under-30s because it's cheaper. |
Michael Gossman paid £130 for his standing season ticket at Wolfsburg, with seated tickets costing nearly £600 per season. | Michael Gossman paid £130 for his standing season ticket at Wolfsburg, with seated tickets costing nearly £600 per season. |
"It's a completely different atmosphere when standing, you can sing and raise your arms," said the 17-year-old. | "It's a completely different atmosphere when standing, you can sing and raise your arms," said the 17-year-old. |
However Jonas Polaszvek, 20, admits standing areas can present a problem for police with identifying troublemakers. | However Jonas Polaszvek, 20, admits standing areas can present a problem for police with identifying troublemakers. |
"At Borussia Dortmund they can have 25,000 people standing and you can do something and the police cannot see you." | "At Borussia Dortmund they can have 25,000 people standing and you can do something and the police cannot see you." |
Clubs in England and Wales would need permission from the government to trial standing areas. | Clubs in England and Wales would need permission from the government to trial standing areas. |
A statement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "The government believes that the long-standing policy which requires that stadia of football clubs in the top two divisions be all-seater, is the best means to ensure the safety and security of fans." | A statement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "The government believes that the long-standing policy which requires that stadia of football clubs in the top two divisions be all-seater, is the best means to ensure the safety and security of fans." |
The government also says it believes football grounds are more comfortable than 20 years ago. | The government also says it believes football grounds are more comfortable than 20 years ago. |
"The football authorities and police continue to support this position and we do not believe there has been a compelling case made for the policy to change." | "The football authorities and police continue to support this position and we do not believe there has been a compelling case made for the policy to change." |
However, the law is different in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with Celtic suggesting they are considering standing areas in part of their ground. | However, the law is different in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with Celtic suggesting they are considering standing areas in part of their ground. |
Alloa Athletic chairman Mike Mulraney also believes the introduction of safe standing would help Scottish clubs reduce prices and increase crowds. | Alloa Athletic chairman Mike Mulraney also believes the introduction of safe standing would help Scottish clubs reduce prices and increase crowds. |
Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter | Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter |
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