New Calls For Fan Standing Areas In Stadiums

There are fresh calls to bring back standing areas in football stadiums with a poll suggesting many fans believe new technology can make it safe.

The survey of more than 2,000 people found 96% would support a trial of rail seats which can be locked or unlocked to create a seated or standing area.

Some 84% think safe standing areas would cut the likelihood of conflict between stewards and fans.

And 97% felt modern stadium technology could make standing areas at football grounds safe.

The poll, which questioned 2,364 fans, was commissioned by the Welsh Conservatives, who want to trial the rail seats.

They are already being used in some German stadiums, and have also been trialled at Bristol City's ground but cannot be used for football matches.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies is calling on the next UK government to back the trial.

He said: "This campaign boils down to two issues: the right for football fans to be treated the same as other sports fans, and the opportunity to trial an advance in safety methods which is well established on the Continent.

"A pilot would be a sensible way to assess the evidence for reviewing the current all-seater policy and the political will exists in Wales to lead the way on this."

Following Lord Justice Taylor's report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, all clubs in the top two tiers of English football have been required to provide every spectator with a seat.

Many of those who lost relatives in the disaster are against a return to standing.

Supporters of the rail seats claim they would help to improve the atmosphere at games and could encourage a cheaper band of ticket.

Michael Brunskill, from the Football Supporters Federation (FSF), said: "Safe standing areas exist on the continent and the FSF believes they should be introduced into our grounds as well.

"These areas are modern and safe, a million miles from the crumbling death traps of the '80s."

The Liberal Democrats have already offered their backing to the safe standing sections in the top divisions of football, including it in their 2015 General Election manifesto.

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: "We remain of the belief that all-seater stadiums are the safest and best way for fans to watch football.

"We are, however, always interested to hear new ideas and the views of fans but any change would have to be driven by football itself."

Sky News also contacted the Premier League for a comment.