The U.K. Government will reportedly "make its first significant policy shift" toward allowing "safe standing" areas at football grounds since the law on all-seater stadiums was introduced 25 years ago, according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. Ministers "are set to commission a fundamental review of the policy of banning all standing areas" in the Premier League and League Championship. Officials from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport "have already begun talks" with the Premier League, the English Football League and fans' groups. It is understood U.K. Sports Minister Tracey Crouch "wants the review to cover all aspects of safety at football stadiums, including the technological advancements that have been made in seating and stadium design." The decision for the review is "hugely significant -- less than six weeks ago the government was still insisting that it had no plans to change its position on safe standing." A government source said, "Safety of supporters is paramount. However we recognize that technology and stadium design has evolved since the all-seater policy was introduced and the time is right to look at the issue." Previous governments "have been reluctant to even consider a change to the law due to sensitivities over Hillsborough," and although some families affected by the disaster "remain opposed to any standing areas," there has been "considerable work" by the Football Supporters’ Federation in explaining that safe standing areas "can actually be safer than fans standing for an entire match in seated areas." Crouch "is due to address a Westminster debate on safe standing on June 25" (LONDON TIMES, 6/5).
