U.K. Sports Minister Tracey Crouch revealed that standing at top English football matches "could be brought back if a trial in Scotland is successful," according to Rob Merrick of the London DAILY MIRROR. Crouch is ready to "reassess" the ban on standing sections -- introduced after the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters in the '89 Hillsborough disaster -- based on "the Scottish experience." If it is judged to have worked well, "then discussions would take place with any clubs in England wishing to carry out a similar trial." Until now, ministers have "consistently rejected" calls by many fans for football grounds in England to adopt the safer "rail seating" pioneered in Germany and elsewhere. But, in Scotland -- which is not covered by England's all-seater rules -- Celtic have been "given permission to test out the design, which allows the seats to be unlocked and tipped up to create standing room" (DAILY MIRROR, 1/15). In Liverpool, Luke Traynor reported Crouch "hinted that the door was potentially ajar for a trial in England of safe standing." But the Department for Media, Culture & Sport has "clarified that all-seater stadiums in England are not set to change in the current climate." Crouch told the House of Commons, "The government is not at present, persuaded by the case put forward to reintroduce standing accommodation in grounds covered by the all-seater requirement." The Celtic trial, to begin in August, will initially involve 2,600 fans, but could be expanded and potentially followed by other Scottish clubs, "if successful" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 1/15).
