The Football League (EFL) expects fans to be once again allowed to stand at matches in all four divisions of English football by this time next year.
With the issue of safe standing set to be debated in parliament next week, the League’s chief executive, Shaun Harvey, believes that a consensus between football stakeholders and supporters means it is now “illogical and outdated” not to give clubs the choice to reintroduce standing to their grounds.
“It will be disappointing if, by this time next year, there is no significant movement one way or the other,” Harvey said. “Whether standing is available to fans by then might be a stretch. But clubs would be able to begin the process of putting it in place. Standing in all divisions of English football by start of the 2020-21 season is a realistic aim.”
The Football League has long approved of standing but has become increasingly voluble in its support this summer. In May it commissioned a survey of League supporters which found 94% were in favour of allowing clubs the choice. Now the League appears increasingly confident that the reservations of government – which this year rejected a request by West Bromwich Albion to trial a standing section – can be overturned.
“This is a local issue,” said Harvey, “and we believe legislation should be amended to provide individual clubs, and their local Safety Authority Groups to make the decision as to whether standing can be reintroduced to any given stadium and in what form. In our view it is illogical and outdated to continue with the ‘one-size fits all’ approach that has been in operation for the past 30 years.
“We are pleased that the government has recently taken steps to review this and we will continue to work with all the relevant stakeholders, and provide insight and guidance as appropriate, in order to see legislation amended in a way that benefits all parties for the good of the game.”
Next week’s debate will take place in Westminster Hall after a government petition calling for safe standing raised over 100,000 signatures. This month the Labour party threw their weight behind the idea, calling for an immediate change in the law. And last week the Premier League, which had previously been non-commital on the issue, joined the Football League in calling for choice.
The EFL prefers not to use the term “safe standing”, arguing that standing in grounds is already safe and indeed is currently licensed in Leagues One and Two.
“This is not a safety issue,” said Harvey. “Standing is safe and we currently have 22 EFL clubs offering full-licensed standing accommodation to supporters across all three divisions. The matter being debated here is whether all clubs, regardless of the division they play in, should have the ability to offer fans the choice they want in terms of whether to sit or stand while they watch their football team play.”
