SPL to trial safe standing areas

[mizer]

Safe standing sections could be introduced in the Scottish Premier League, following the approval of a plan to allow top flight clubs to pilot the idea.

 

Following a meeting of the 12 member clubs on Monday, a vote was passed to amend current rules stating all SPL grounds must be all-seater.

 

The SPL board will now have the ability to approve any request made by a club to pilot a standing area, subject to further approval from the police and local authorities.

 

Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPL, said: “Since I joined the SPL in 2009, there has been widespread support amongst fans to re-introduce safe standing areas.

 

"I am delighted that we have been able to respond positively to supporters’ views on improving the match day experience.

 

There is no jurisdiction under Scots law preventing standing areas returning, with only an amendment to the SPL's rules required.

 

Top flight grounds in Scotland have been all-seater since 1994 and current regulations stipulate the need for all clubs to have a minimum capacity of 6,000 all-seated.

[tlg1903]

Fuck me, common sense applied by the spl!!!!!

[Azteca1903]

Interesting. Could finally provide some good news for attendances, if implemented correctly. Always a big 'if' with Scottish football.

[Tyrant]

 

They listened to the fans??

[Jute]

Cynic in me thinks this is just away of getting round the problem of Ross County not having enough seats if they win promotion. However if it results in standing comong back then I am all for it.

[glasgow sheep]

Cynic in me thinks this is just away of getting round the problem of Ross County not having enough seats if they win promotion. However if it results in standing comong back then I am all for it.

 

Depends on their definition of safe standing

[Stewart]

Depends on their definition of safe standing

 

 

Surely be that?

[manc_don]

:o

 

Never thought I'd even see the day, i'm impressed by this. Will be interesting to see how this develops.

[tom_widdows]

Interesting. Could finally provide some good news for attendances, if implemented correctly. Always a big 'if' with Scottish football.

 

Depends if they drop the prices for terracing. They will probably increase them 

[scotfree]

Fucking YeeHaaa! 

 

And you're no the most positive person are you Tom. 

[manc_don]

Depends if they drop the prices for terracing. They will probably increase them 

 

The cynic in me would agree, "extra policing" and all that...

 

Here's hoping that they do things correctly though. 

[mizer]

And in the same meeting

 

Meanwhile, the SPL has also tightened the rules governing unacceptable conduct, to include: "using words, conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000."

 

[glasgow sheep]

And in the same meeting

 

So you're not allowed to say that you don't like Al queda or the IRA?

 

Anyway I presumed "safe standing" would be just what we have been doing in Section Y and the back of the RDS/Beach End since the year dot. Can't see anyone either spending money putting in terracing or fancy German style seat/terracing.  Basically will mean that they are allowed to designate an area for standing where fans won't get hassle, which happens already anyway.

[dave_min]

Shame no cunt has any money to install the fuckers.

[maverick sheep]

The sooner we have a standing only stand the better

[Kenny]

STV tweeting Milne's told them we might be able to do it for next season.

[glasgow sheep]

Hang on here.  I currently stand at Pittodrie and have done for the best part of the last 10 years.  100s stand every week at the back of the RDU, the South Stand and Section Y.

 

Are we saying that they are going to introduce terracing by ripping out seats? I doubt it.  Maybe in the new stadium but can't see it happening at Pittodrie unless it is in the Y.  I think alot of these "safe standing" areas will just be standing in a designated section of a stand as we do already but without technically breaching regulations.

 

Hopefully it's not just an excuse to heard all the fans that want to stand into one shitty section of a stadium while cracking down on standing elsewhere.

[Jute]

They will probably increase them 

 

Is the correct answer. Doncaster in the Retard this morning claiming fans will need to pay more to use the standing areas.

[Superstar Tradesman]

Where are the Rock Steady Stewards going to get their kicks now?

 

 

[mizer]

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne says the club are open to introducing a safe standing area at Pittodrie as early as next season.

 

On Monday the SPL approved a plan for clubs to pilot standing areas subject to further approval from the police and local authorities.

 

With Aberdeen set to move to a new stadium for the start of the 2013-14 season, Milne said they open to the possibility of trialing the system at their current ground before introducing it at their new home.

Stewart Milne in favour of safe standing area at Aberdeen

 

Milne told STV: “We’ve been one of a number of clubs that have been keen to get this considered by the SPL and we think it is a positive thing.

 

“It’s something that throws up issues and these issues have to be thought through and dealt with.

 

“There’s a lot of people who are going to have input into coming up with the right solutions in terms of the numbers that should be allowed and various other factors around security.

 

“It is good the decision in principle has been made but now it is picking up the real issues and how we can best deal with them.

 

When asked about when such an area could be introduced, Milne said he felt a standing section could be implemented during the 2012/13 campaign.

 

He added: “Yeah we certainly wouldn’t rule that out. We have a fantastic relationship with the police up here and we are potentially one of the clubs that could pilot a small scheme maybe as early as next season.”

[Jute]

Intrestingly the police are in the Retard saying that they have not been consulted by the SPL on this and give the impression that they are not in favour of the return of standing areas. Would think without the support of the police then this will be a non starter.

[mizer]

Intrestingly the police are in the Retard saying that they have not been consulted by the SPL on this and give the impression that they are not in favour of the return of standing areas. Would think without the support of the police then this will be a non starter.

 

That was Strathclyde though

[Jute]

That was Strathclyde though

 

Bit I read suggested it was more than one police chief that had made that comment.

[tlg1903]

The police have far to much fucking authority over football in my opinion, hows about they just do their jobs rather than dictating policy

[Penfold]

At the AGM it was mentioned that the Police up here would be favourable to the idea. Sounded like AFC were one of the clubs pushing the idea to the SPL.

 

Maybe the police can see the stewards trying to get folk to sit down are causing more problems than if they just let folk stand in an area where they weren't blocking anybody's view.