Standing could return to Scottish football terraces
Scottish Premier League bosses are considering requests to pilot safe-standing areas at SPL grounds, but English football authorities have ruled out a similar move.
The Scottish Premier League (SPL) has announced a relaxation of its rules on standing in football stadia following a general meeting of all 12 clubs today.
Celtic and Motherwell are among the clubs which have expressed interest in the idea, although applications for standing areas will also have to be approved by local council safety committees and police.
Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPL, said: “Since I joined the SPL in 2009, there has been widespread support amongst fans to reintroduce safe standing areas.
“I am delighted that we have been able to respond positively to supporters’ views on improving the match day experience.”
Scotland is not bound by the law banning standing areas in top-flight football in England, which came in to force after the Taylor report into the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
The English Premier League has ruled out the possibility of terracing returning to top-flight and Championship grounds.
No ‘compelling case’
All-seater stadiums are compulsory in the top two tiers of English football under the football spectators act, introduced following the Taylor report.
“The bottom line is that it (standing at matches) is illegal under the legislation that was brought in after Hillsborough,” Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson said.
“We can’t have standing in the Premier League and the Championship and it’s not a situation we would like to see change.”
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “We note the announcement from the Scottish Premier League but do not believe that a compelling case has been made to change the policy in England and Wales.
“Football grounds are safer and more comfortable than they were 20 years ago. All-seater stadia are the best means to ensure the safety and security of fans and have contributed to the diversity of those attending matches in recent years.”
But Don Foster MP, who last year introduced a bill to parliament to create safe standing areas in English and Welsh football grounds, said evidence from around the world suggested that well-designed standing areas are “just as safe” as sitting areas.
Mr Foster said that safe standing areas would have to be backed by the public before any move to change legislation.
“There has to be an understanding that we are talking not about a return to the terraces but safe standing areas,” he added.