Safe standing to be trialled in the Premier League and Championship this season - what it means for Middlesbrough

WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: A detailed view of safe standing seats inside the stadium prior to the Sky Bet League One match between AFC Wimbledon and Fleetwood Town at Plough Lane on April 05, 2021 in Wimbledon, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors.  (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: A detailed view of safe standing seats inside the stadium prior to the Sky Bet League One match between AFC Wimbledon and Fleetwood Town at Plough Lane on April 05, 2021 in Wimbledon, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors.  (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: A detailed view of safe standing seats inside the stadium prior to the Sky Bet League One match between AFC Wimbledon and Fleetwood Town at Plough Lane on April 05, 2021 in Wimbledon, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

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It has been confirmed that safe standing will be trialled in the Premier League and Championship this season.

It was announced this afternoon that selected Premier League and Championship clubs have been invited to pilot safe standing in their stadiums from January 1.

Since 1994 grounds in the first and second tier of English football have been required to be all-seaters after standing was outlawed following recommendations made in the Taylor Report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

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Campaigners have called for standing to be reintroduced in England in recent seasons and the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) are now giving Premier League and Championship clubs the opportunity to submit an application by October 6 to be offered licensed standing areas from January 1 2022.

Fans wait in seats with built-in safety barriers, known as rail seating, to allow safe standing, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on August 19, 2019. ( PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Fans wait in seats with built-in safety barriers, known as rail seating, to allow safe standing, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on August 19, 2019. ( PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Fans wait in seats with built-in safety barriers, known as rail seating, to allow safe standing, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on August 19, 2019. ( PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

In today’s statement, UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: "We have been clear that we will work with fans and clubs towards introducing safe standing at football grounds providing there was evidence that installing seating with barriers would have a positive impact on crowd safety.

"With independent research now complete, and capacity crowds back at grounds across the country, now is the right time to make progress.”

If the trial period proves successful then legislation could be introduced for all stadiums in England’s top two divisions within the next few years.

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What is the criteria to be part of the trial?

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Fans of Chelsea in a new safe standing area during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Fans of Chelsea in a new safe standing area during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Fans of Chelsea in a new safe standing area during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Clubs that want to be part of the trial period for safe standing will need to fulfil a number of criteria that the SGSA have set out. This includes:

The necessary infrastructure being in place – such as seats with barriers/independent barriers – which must be in both home and away sections Fans must be able to sit or stand – the seats cannot be locked in the “up” or “down” position – and there must be one seat/space per person The standing area must not impact the viewing standards of other fans There must be a code of conduct in place for fans in the licensed standing area The ground must consult with its Safety Advisory Group about plans for the licensed standing areas

Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Cardiff City and Bristol City are among the clubs whose stadiums would be able to accommodate safe standing areas the easiest. Other clubs would need to carry out stadium adjustments to accommodate the standing areas.

What does this mean for Middlesbrough?

Fans stand in the safe standing section at the Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium ahead of the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Shrewsbury Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Shrewsbury, central England, on January 26, 2019. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Fans stand in the safe standing section at the Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium ahead of the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Shrewsbury Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Shrewsbury, central England, on January 26, 2019. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Fans stand in the safe standing section at the Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium ahead of the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Shrewsbury Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Shrewsbury, central England, on January 26, 2019. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Unlike Cardiff City and Bristol City, Middlesbrough don’t have rail seating at the Riverside Stadium and so currently wouldn’t meet the criteria to participate in the safe standing trial.

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However, fans will be eager to see if a change is considered by the club, whose 35,000-seater stadium could most definitely accommodate a safe standing area for those who prefer to cheer on Middlesbrough on their feet.

If Middlesbrough aren't to participate in the trial but it is successful among other clubs then Riverside Stadium could potentially introduce safe standing areas over the next few years.

From January 1 Middlesbrough fans travelling to the likes of Cardiff and Bristol may be able to enjoy safe standing in their away sections.

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