Safe standing in North East stadiums moves one step closer

Football fans in the North East will be watching closely later as Parliament debates a change in the law on standing at football matches.

Standing has been banned in England's top two divisions since 1989 - one of the recommendations of the Taylor Review into the Hillsborough Disaster.

But after a parliamentary petition, calling for clubs in the Premier League and Championship to be allowed to introduce safe standing, collected more than 110,000 signatures, MPs will debate a change in the law.

Peter Fanning, Chairman of the Newcastle United Supporters Trust, said:

"There is a difference in the atmosphere when the people who want to stand are given the option.

"It also helps avoid the problems we have with the situation at the minute, which is the reality is that people will stand anyway - and if they're standing where other people are sitting, it causes problems."

Shadow sports minister Rosena Allin-Khan told ministers it was an “open goal” that had the backing of clubs, leagues and fans.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Dr Allin-Khan told ministers to “stop taking football fans for granted” and back the move.

She said:

“I’ve met with safety authorities, I’ve met with supporters’ groups, I’ve met with clubs, I’ve met with leagues.

“They all have one thing in common – over the last three months they haven’t heard from Government ministers, which is why they’re bemused at the rushed review announced over two weeks ago.

“The Government needs to stop taking football fans for granted and start listening. The minister has an open goal. Can she make football safer by introducing safe standing? Is she going to listen?"

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, responding in the Commons, said:

“I’m listening to a number of people from across the board of football, including the authorities.

“We’re looking at all the data and all the evidence and we will make a decision in due course."