Five football clubs approved for safe standing trial by Worcestershire MP
Nigel Huddleston represents mid-Worcestershire and is also the Sports Minister
Last updated 10th Nov 2021
Five football clubs in England and Wales have been approved for a safe standing trial by Worcestershire MP and Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston.
Cardiff City FC, Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC will be the first clubs to have licensed ‘safe standing’ in seated areas from 1 January 2022.
New standing areas in the top two tiers have been banned for the past 25 years, following the Hillsborough disaster.
But the change builds on the success of the Government’s all-seater policy, brought in following the Lord Taylor report into the disaster in 1989.
Independent research conducted recently has identified the safety risks related to persistent standing in seated areas despite fans campaigning for standing to be reintroduced for many years.
Today’s historic announcement is a vital step towards fulfilling the Government’s manifesto commitment to introducing licensed safe standing areas at all-seater football grounds.
The grounds have been selected following an application process, open to all grounds covered by the all-seater policy, led by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA).
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "I'm pleased to approve these five clubs as early adopters of licensed safe standing areas for the second half of the season.
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 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."