Thirteen English clubs support the idea of re-introducing standing at football grounds, according to a fans’ group.
On Tuesday, the Football Supporters’ Federation is hoping to win the backing of MPs for its plans for a small-scale trial at Premier League clubs.
It believes the pilot scheme would show standing – outlawed after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 – is now a safe way to watch football.
The Premier League has previously said it opposed the idea.
FSF’s Peter Daykin said:”We need to find out if it can work and the only way to do that is to trial it.”
All-seater stadiums have been compulsory in the Premier League since 1994.
But MP Roger Godsiff has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for government approval of a pilot scheme.
The FSF says the idea has the support of Aston Villa and the Scottish Premier League plus 12 Football League clubs, including Peterborough United, Cardiff City, Crystal Palace, Derby County and Hull City.
A panel of industry experts containing Villa’s chief executive Paul Faulkner and West Midlands Police Force Superintendent Steve Graham will present a case for allowing standing at matches at Portcullis House in Westminster on Tuesday.
FSF’s safe standing co-ordinator Daykin told BBC Sport: “The debate about standing has reached a point where both sides are entrenched.
“The bottom line is things have changed dramatically since 23 years ago when the Taylor Report was produced.
“Things have moved on massively in terms of technology and know-how around safety in football grounds.
“So, what we are calling for is a number of small-scale trials at Premier League clubs up and down the country.
“Then experts, safety officers and the police can see how it works in a modern context.”
“We have had 50 MPs sign up to Roger Godsiff’s EDM and correspondence showing support from more MPs unable to sign an EDM for technical reasons.”
Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said on Monday that clubs might have to introduce netting around pitches to protect players.
Taylor was speaking after Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand was hit by an object as his side celebrated the winning goal against Manchester City on Sunday.
BBC Sport
