BBC morning show

[dotty.]

Is it April Fools day again? There has just been what seemed to be a serious debate about re-introducing standing areas at major football grounds. What is that woman on?

[Davethedog]

The idea has been mooted by the Minister of Sport, and is going to be subject of a review.

[Jemisa]

Yes, I heard talk about it the other day.
I thought it was against 'Health & Safety' rules?

jem

[dotty.]

It's not the news koode it's one of their 'items'. Load of garbage.

[OrdsallSi]

Not everyone likes a prawn sarnie Dot.

[redman41]

The last thing we want dotty is to return to the dark days of Hillsborough 1989 when 96 Liverpool Fans lost their lives ! Hugh Robertson the Sports Minister needs to take his head out of his ar*e and get real. Lord Justice Taylor outlawed terracing 21 Years ago after the Hillsborough tragedy. They have open Terracing in Germany at their grounds but if they had experienced Football tradgedies like we have experienced here, they would soon turn their Stadia into all Seater venues.

[Davethedog]

There will be pro and con, in opinion but there is definatley a call amongst supporters for standing areas. The proposition wouldn't be a return to the 80's but a ticketed area, under strict saftey rules.

I tend to see this as rosie couloured specs, however it has been called for by various supporters groups.

[OrdsallSi]

They have open Terracing in a lot of countries maybe they don't have thugs who masquerade as fans who like to bunk into games.

[screien]

really?? what is up?

[Twenty20]

There seems to be a misunderstanding that we don't have standing at football games in the UK. We do. There are standing areas at just about every football ground in England, bar the top two divisions. Are there disasters every week at these grounds? No, because crowds are properly managed these days. Even in the top two divisions of English football fans stand behind the goals although seating is provided.

I'd guess it's those that don't regularly go to football matches who hold their hands up in horror at the thought of fans standing at football games, whereas, in fact fans stand week in, week out across the country without any problem.