Of 33,000 respondents to an EFL survey in June, 94% wanted the option of safe standing.GETTY IMAGES
A change to the U.K. law on safe standing at football matches "would be most likely to come into force" in time for the '20-21 season "and not before," Whitehall sources said, according to Laura Lambert of the London DAILY MAIL. An independent review of the relevant evidence is reportedly "well underway" but "will not be finished by the end of this year, as had been hoped." Any "subsequent review and potential change to the ban" -- which has been in place in the Premier League and League Championship since '89 -- "could take several months, meaning that it is unlikely to be in place by next season." The decision to commission a review came after "growing calls from fans' groups, several clubs and footballing authorities for the law to be looked at again." It was reported in June that 94% of 33,000 fans surveyed by the EFL "wanted the option of safe standing." The Premier League, FA and English Football League "are also provisionally supportive of the return of terraces" if there is evidence that safety and security concerns are met. Government sources confirmed that Leicester-based firm CRE Research is carrying out the review and it will be completed early in '19 (DAILY MAIL, 11/22).
