Premier League and Championship clubs will be able to offer licensed standing areas from January 1 as part of a pilot programme, it was announced on Wednesday. xThe introduction of designated safe standing areas would mean an end to the blanket ban on standing in the top two divisions of English football, which has been in place for more than 25 years. The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) set out the plans in a statement. Clubs must apply to be part of the “early adopter” programme by October 6, and if approved will be able to operate a licensed standing area from New Year’s Day until the end of the season. Standing areas in the English top-flight and second-tier Championship were outlawed by legislation passed after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.

Source: The Guardian September 22, 2021 12:11 UTC