Standing at Football

Since the Taylor report was released in 1990 following the Hillsborough Disaster all grounds have had to become all seater stadiums. Whilst some clubs such as Cardiff City (pictured) have been given special dispensation to operate controlled areas of standing on the whole football stadia up and down the country have had to adhere to the ruling.

The Football Supporters Federation (FSF) has been running a campaign for the reintroduction of safe standing in the United Kingdom. This Sunday sees the first Safe Standing Fans Day at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers when they entertain Brentford in a live televised League Two fixture.

Fans from across the country will be descending on Adams Park for the event. Over 100 MP`s are supporting the campaign and FSF are hoping to reverse the government`s decision so that standing can be introduced. The FSF have invited all 92 club chairman to attend the event this Sunday.

Standing can be safe, look at the Germans. They have some of the best infrastructure in the world and grounds such as Schalke 04 fantastic Veltins-Arena which was completed in the summer of 2001 has areas set-aside for Standing and no problems have been reported with standing since it`s opening.

Its a strange ruling, standing in sporting arena is permitted, just not at Football matches. Concerts at City of Manchester Stadium have had 1,000`s of fans standing at an Oasis concert in 2005 and that was declared ok as it was a music event.

I think if standing is controlled and safe then fans should have areas where they can stand if they want to. For me, I am used to sitting now and very debatable if I would ever consider standing, but I would like to have the choice. I will follow their campaign with interest.

What are your views? Crewe Vital would like your views, would you like a return to standing if it was in a controlled and safe environment or do you think the law should stay as it is?

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

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