The Football League "is facing mounting pressure to back trials for safe standing after an overwhelming majority of Championship clubs went against the League's stance" and voted in favor of permitting trials at a meeting earlier this season, according to Robin Scott-Elliot of the London INDEPENDENT. Standing is banned in the top two divisions in England, "but a significant number of clubs in the Championship and a growing number in the Premier League support allowing a return to limited terracing if trials are successful." The Premier League and the Football League remain steadfastly opposed, "but the Football League's position is being potentially undermined by its own members." A motion supporting safe-standing trials could be included on the agenda at next month's meeting of all 72 Football League club chairmen and, if it is, "its supporters are increasingly confident it will be passed." In that case, "member clubs would expect the League to lobby for the necessary change in the law." At a meeting of Championship clubs in Leicester in February, 21 of the 22 CEOs present voted in favor of a motion proposing the Football League "encourage and support the instigation of a rail seat/safe-standing trial period at any League club" (INDEPENDENT, 5/21).
