SAFE STANDING IN FOOTBALL STADIUMS

That this House welcomes the decision of Oxford United Football Club to consider introducing safe standing areas at the Kassam Stadium; notes that the proposals have received support from the majority of the Oxford United Safety Advisory Group; believes that safe standing areas can offer supporters more choice, a better atmosphere and cheaper match tickets; recognises that safe standing operates well in many sports and stadia; is concerned that there appears to be no mechanism for a club that has introduced a safe standing area to retain that area if it is promoted to the top two tiers of English football; notes that more than 110,000 people have signed e-petition 207040 relating to Premier League and Championship football clubs being allowed to introduce safe standing; and therefore calls on the Government to allow football clubs in all divisions to be able to introduce safe standing areas in their grounds.