LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 23, 2014: Liverpool supporters on the Spion Kop at Anfield (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Premier League to discuss safe standing

The Premier League are to discuss safe standing at a meeting of the 20 clubs next week.

Standing at football stadiums is currently banned in England, but the introduction of rail seating at clubs such as Celtic in recent months has seen the subject of safe standing areas gain momentum.

Clubs across Europe, including many in Germany and Holland, have adopted rail seating in a bid to create a better atmosphere.

Some argue that the rail seating is in fact safer than all-seater sections, where supporters stand in areas where the seats in front of them have low backs.

However, the government said last month they currently have no plans to change its position and introduce standing.

The Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, told Sky Sports News: “Clearly there’s a legal position at the moment, and we are required by law to have all-seater stadiums.

“There’s no prospect with the government of that changing at the moment. We’re not immune to the fact that this is a topic and therefore it is in discussion with our clubs.

“They are all looking at the issue and at some point it will come around our table and we will see if there’s a point at which we might open up discussions with government to see what their view is on it.

“It’s very much individual clubs sensing for themselves where they are with it and we may or may not facilitate that discussion in the weeks and months to come.”

The Hillsborough Family Support Group is firmly against safe standing, while the Spirit of Shankly supporters union recently outlined a timeline for their consultation over the matter.

According to the Football Supporters Federation, nine out of 10 football fans back a move to safe standing.

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