# Soccer-Standing areas at Premier League grounds to be allowed from January
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-09-23
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: Safe Standing Program to Begin at Premier League and
Meta Description: Fans will finally have the option to stand at select Premier League and Championship stadiums with the introduction of safe standing areas.
URL: https://financedigest.com/soccer-standing-areas-at-premier-league-grounds-to-be-allowed-from-januaryhtml

![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2021-09-22t192315z3lynxmpeh8l0n7rtroptp4soccer-england-ava-eve-report-1736837802278-compressed.jpg)

LONDON (Reuters) -Supporters will be allowed to stand in selected English Premier League and Championship grounds from next year as part of a pilot programme, UK’s Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) said on Wednesday.

Safe standing is set to be trialled from Jan. 1 after the UK government instructed the SGSA to take the first steps in creating licensed standing areas at grounds.

The introduction of designated standing areas would mean an [end to the “all-seater stadium” law](https://www.financedigest.com/eu-approves-law-to-end-sales-of-new-co2-emitting-cars-by-2035.html "EU approves law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035") in the top two divisions brought in 25 years ago as a consequence of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

We have been clear that we will work with fans and clubs towards introducing safe standing at football grounds providing there was evidence that installing seating with barriers would have a [positive impact](https://www.financedigest.com/what-brexit-blues-new-research-reveals-over-half-of-businesses-in-the-financial-sector-believe-brexit-will-have-a-long-term-positive-impact.html "What Brexit blues? New research reveals over half of businesses in the financial sector believe Brexit will have a long-term positive impact") on crowd safety,” said Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston.

With independent research now complete, and capacity crowds [back at grounds across the country](https://www.financedigest.com/as-who-pandemic-pact-talks-begin-poor-countries-on-back-foot.html "As WHO pandemic pact talks begin, poor countries on back foot"), now is the right time to make progress. I look forward to hearing from clubs who wish to be part of our early adopters programme.”

Clubs would have to meet certain criteria to get approval, including having “the necessary infrastructure” in both [home and away areas](https://www.financedigest.com/new-homes-released-in-area-of-outstanding-natural-beauty.html "New Homes Released In Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty") of their stadium.

Premier League clubs Chelsea, Liverpool, [Manchester City, Manchester United](https://www.financedigest.com/finnish-businessman-zilliacus-ready-to-pay-premium-for-manchester-united.html "Finnish businessman Zilliacus ready to pay premium for Manchester United"), Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers have had rail seating installed at their grounds, allowing them the flexibility to have standing or seated fans in certain areas.

Campaigners have long called for a return to [safe standing areas and the move](https://www.financedigest.com/safe-smart-twitter-for-finance-now-available-on-the-move.html "Safe, Smart Twitter for Finance now available on the move") has been welcomed by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

There is a tradition of fans standing at games as it increases choice, improves atmospheres and ensures [supporter safety when hosted in properly managed](https://www.financedigest.com/synapse-appoints-new-finance-and-operations-manager-to-support-the-rapid-growth-of-the-business.html "Synapse appoints new Finance and Operations Manager to support the rapid growth of the business") and licensed standing areas,” the organisation said in a statement.

Jon Darch of the Safe Standing Roadshow said it was a step in the right direction.

Hopefully, it will [lead in due course to all clubs](https://www.financedigest.com/owner-of-leading-discount-dining-clubs-tastecard-and-gourmet-society-appoints-new-chairperson.html "Owner of leading discount dining clubs tastecard and Gourmet Society appoints new Chairperson    ") being able to offer supporters the choice of watching matches sitting down or standing up,” he told Reuters.

(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru,Editing by Christian Radnedge and Ed Osmond)


---
This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more.
---