English clubs will be able to stand again in stadiums, after 28 years, so that fans can stand. The decision was taken this Monday (4) by British Culture Secretary Nadine Norris.
“Only clubs that adhere to strict security measures will be allowed to do so. Thanks to a robust process, with testing and modern engineering, we are ready to allow standing seats again on our fields,” explained the minister.
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Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham participated in an experiment that was deemed successful during the second half of last season, as did Cardiff, who played in 2021/22 in the English Second Division championship. The stadiums of these clubs had sections for standing fans.
Despite the permission, it is not certain that all clubs will create these spaces. Only Wolverhampton and Brentford (both Premier League) and Queens Park Rangers (Championship) have already announced they will offer fixed rooms.
The government has already announced that the legendary Wembley Stadium will provide this possibility, and has already set a date for the test in September, when England hosts Germany, in a match valid for the Nations League.
Regular fans were banned from English football some 28 years ago, five years after the Hillsborough tragedy, when 96 Liverpool fans died and hundreds were injured during a massive FA Cup semi-final riot against Nottingham Forest.
In January 2022, Hesboro Victim 97 was known, Andrew Devine, who lost his life as a result of injuries from the 1989 disaster.
