SPL to allow safe standing trials

19 December 2011 13:00
In a long overdue victory for common sense (and current practice) the SPL has given the go ahead to allow clubs to pilot safe standing areas at league matches.

At Monday’s General Meeting approval was given to changes to SPL rules on safe standing.  A statement on ScotPrem.com said,  “The SPL Board will now have the ability to approve requests from clubs to pilot safe standing areas for use in Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches.”

Neil Doncaster was quoted, “Since I joined the SPL in 2009, there has been widespread support amongst fans to re-introduce safe standing areas. I am delighted that we have been able to respond positively to supporters’ views on improving the match day experience.”

This has to be recognition both of the long established campaign for Safe Standing and of the increasing tendency for groups of fans to abandon their seats to watch their team on their feet.  The decision has taken some time to arrive but its arrival is welcome.

Clubs and their supporters now have to develop proposals that will satisfy safety concerns and persuade the SPL to allow a trial.  It is unlikely that the retractable seating arrangement that is common on mainland Europe will start to appear in our stadia in the near future.  Clubs are short of funds and it would be a surprise if they felt like taking a gamble on a pilot scheme.  Would an experiment in legitimising the current practice where supporters stand in front of their allocated seat be acceptable?

Will the SFA be moved to recognise the behaviour of tens of thousands of Scotland fans who stand at Hampden when the national team takes to the field?

The General Meeting also widened the definition of Unacceptable Conduct to include references to any terrorist organisation – and not before time too!

Source: FOOTYMAD