FA supports safe-standing proposals for the Premier League and Football League

The government are reviewing the law which forbids standing at football matches

Safe-standing has been successfully introduced at Celtic Park (Getty)

The Football Association has confirmed it will support proposals for safe-standing in the Premier League and Championship if there is “clear evidence” that safety and security concerns are satisfied.

In June the government launched a review to look into the Football Spectators Act 1989 which forbids standing at football matches following the Hillsborough disaster.

The Premier League and English Football League supports the right for clubs to have the option of safe-standing in stadiums, and now the FA are in favour of club’s having a choice.

Clubs in England want to follow Celtic by introducing safe-standing (Getty)

“The FA supported the announcement from sports minister Tracey Crouch in June to conduct an external analysis of evidence in relation to the all-seater policy,” an FA spokesperson said.

“(The FA) supports clubs and league in having the option to choose whether they wish to provide standing options for supports should there be clear evidence that satisfies the authorities over safety and security.”

Crouch said “her mind is open” to safe-standing in June after being criticised for saying only a “vocal minority” wanted the changes during a Parliamentary debate after a petition was signed by 112,000 people calling for its introduction.

A survey by the Premier League showed that 70 per cent of fans would be in favour of the option, while 94 per cent of EFL supporters want safe-standing.

The Football Supporters Federation (FSF), who have been campaigning for safe-standing, welcomed the FA’s support of the changes and said the government should amend the law now that all the football authorities agree with each other.

“The government said it wouldn’t move until all the football authorities spoke with one voice, which is understandable, but now they are, all eyes are on the review,” FSF’s Peter Daykin said.

“We are happy for the government to take its time with the review. We want a thorough understanding of all the arguments and it’s too important an issue to rush.”

The government review into safe-standing is expected to conclude by the end of 2018.