Safe standing at sporting stadiums?
19 replies
Pliers replied on 24/05/2018 20:28
Posted on 24/05/2018 20:28
Safe standing is quite common at German league clubs, but has to be converted back to seating for their European games, so I assume the setup must be very flexible.
Wouldn't tempt me, but if those who prefer to stand were all together and away from those who want to sit down, might be preferable for many people.
Talking safety issues, Barcelona's all seater stadium is a disaster waiting to happen, very wide, steep staircases with no handrails. Would never get a license to operate in the UK.
papgeno replied on 25/05/2018 19:27
Posted on 25/05/2018 19:27
Safe standing has been installed at some grounds in Scotland. The one being used there, and proposed for use in EFL grounds in England is known as rail seating. The seats seem to be locked upright and removalble rails put in front. This way each individual seat gets its own rail, these are as far removed from the old crush barriers as it's possible to be.
It was the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough disaster which led to the introduction of all seater stadia in the higher leagues. However just about all away supporters stand for 90 minutes which IMHO is infinitely more dangerous than the old standing terraces.
The Chairman of our club was asked about safe standing recently, and I believe that the Premier League are considering it. He said that if safe standing was allowed in one stand ( the one where people routinely stand now in contravention of the conditions of entry to the stadium) then no standing would be allowed in any other part of the stadium and that would be strictly enforced. Fans do also tend to stand in other areas of the ground near the away end.
Apologies for the rather lengthy post🤓
ABM replied on 31/05/2018 23:25
Posted on 31/05/2018 23:25
If the 'No Standing' terms of a clubs licence are flouted then that licence should be immediately revoked for twelve months. If people cannot comply with a system that was put in place for their own safety then the grounds would be better and safer without them.
papgeno replied on 01/06/2018 22:55
Posted on 01/06/2018 22:55
I couldn't agree more Brian but if upwards of 4,000 idiots are standing,which is often the case, the conditions become unenforceable.
Can you imagine what would happen if 30 or 40 stewards tried to get those people to sit down. It would be mayhem.
I'm not sure if the Local Authority would consider withdrawing the safety certificate where sadly unsafe standing has become the norm rather than the exception.
I read today that Shrewsbury Town are going to install rail seating, being still a League 1 side I imagine they are not subject to the requirement for an all seater stadium
ABM replied on 02/06/2018 15:46
Posted on 02/06/2018 15:46
Roger, I did not say the Licence for a STAND should be revoked in cases of non-compliance - I said the CLUBS licence.
No need for hundreds of stewards, just a simple Tannoy Announcement thanking the clowns for getting the whole ground closed down. This is of course what happened often in the past when serious troubles occurred. X - number of matches played behind Closed Doors, when I seem to recall not even the Press were allowed in. The Clubs in the top two tiers, where No Standing applies, would not be punished financially since the Gate Monies lost would barely touch the Insurance demands.
papgeno replied on 03/06/2018 22:36
Posted on 03/06/2018 22:36
Sorry Brian I misunderstood. The safety certificate applies to the whole ground and technically matches cannot take place without a current safety certificate. I agree that losing income from the match attendance would be insignificant compared with the television money for instance.
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