West Brom fume after plans for safe standing are rejected

West Brom officials have criticised the government after ministers rejected their proposal to introduce safe standing at The Hawthorns in time for next season.

The pilot scheme, plans for which were submitted in October, would have seen 3,600 seats in the clubs Smethwick End converted to rail seating, which can be locked in an upright position to allow for spectators to stand.

But the Premier League strugglers application was blocked by sports minister Tracey Crouch, who has ruled out any changes to legislation introduced after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster that forced all teams in the countrys top two divisions to have all-seater stadia.

“I think the minister has taken a short-sighted view and is preventing the club from creating a safer environment for supporters,” said West Brom director of operations Mark Miles.

“The all-seater policy was developed over 25 years ago and football is a very different place now.”

Celtic, who are governed by different legislation than in England and Wales, have successfully introduced a safe standing section, while rail seating is a popular feature of German stadia.

“We were prepared to run a pilot which would enable the club to gather data and feed back to further inform us in the issue of crowd safety,” Miles added.

“But I have become convinced that rail seating would enhance safety. The club is extremely disappointed with this decision and we have written back requesting a review.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “We have no plans to change our position and introduce standing accommodation at grounds in the top two divisions covered by the all-seater policy.”

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CityAM

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