The Government's key aim must be to ensure that spectators attending matches do so in the safest environment possible. Following a number of disasters at football grounds over the years in the UK, many involving fatalities, changes were brought in to ensure such tragic events never reoccurred. Part of these changes included the introduction of all-seater stadia for the top two divisions. In turn, the all-seater policy has helped stadiums in this country to become some of the safest, best attended and most modern stadia in the world.

There is no firm evidence to support the view that the removal of the all seater policy or the introduction of systems used in grounds in Germany would directly result in cheaper ticket prices. Indeed, an analysis of ticket prices in leagues 1 and 2 indicated there is very little difference between the costs of standing and seating when it is available in this country. On average it is only £2.23 more expensive for sitting in League One and £1.75 for League Two.

The Government will continue to take into account the views of all interested parties on this matter. Apart from the fans who want a return to standing the Government has received no representation from any other interested party seeking a review of this policy.

http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14995.asp

Can't these people just give a straight answer.

i know wht the trouts that mean

Oh yes, apart from the umm thousands of people who are actually affected by this, nobody else is interested. Not the RSPCA, the WI or anyone. So piss off. Nice one...

"Apart from the fans who want a return to standing the Government has received no representation from any other interested party seeking a review of this policy."

I thought the government was supposed to represent the people? What other representation could be needed?

Same old shít from the twats

"No evidence" blah blah blah fúck off...

Their basically saying

"until clubs shout up and make a fuss you don't matter"

Nothing to do with safety anymore as always it's today with money and control.

Same old tench.

Why on earth are they responding mainly to the argument that it is generally cheaper to stand than sit?
I hope that whoever submitted the petition (what petition is it?) didn't use that as a main argument? Prices are too expensive. But, we need to argue that we have a right not to be forced to sit down when we want to stand when concert goers, teams in lower leagues and other countries can all freely stand without any hassle!!!

That one sentence tells us all we need to know about the Government's attitude towards football fans in this country, if we didn't know already.

Are those prices open to challenge? Also, as prices are lower in Leagues 1 and 2, it suits them not to state the differences in percentage terms. "On average, prices are 15% higher to sit than to stand in Leagues 1 and 2" or whatever wouldn't sound as reasonable.

What's the difference in prices for standing and sitting at German grounds where they have that option?

But for the main issue of safe standing, the same old safety arguments.

They forget they are not here to be in "power" they are here to "serve."

I don't share the optimism of some, I hate Dave Cameron will do something.

Exactamondo!

This is precisely why clubs need to be persuaded to lobby the Government.

It is all well and good them saying when the Government changes it's mind they'd be prepared to consider safe standing areas but they need to understand the G'mt won't change it's mind unless it is put under pressure from other parties, not just the likes of us and the FSF.

What Newcastle did recently was ideal and what we need ALL clubs to be doing.

Come to us with your ideas, costs etc and there is money available from the FSF.

If the Geordies can get 2/300 people marching through their town centre, then there is nothing to stop you doing so... there are plenty of passionate groups out there that I KNOW have the capability to organise similar events. What are you waiting for?

Why do they feel the need to refer to cost. At the moment people are willing to pay the same price to stand, as they are to sit, haven't they noticed the thousands that stand every weekend. Its just another terrible reason, for me its not about cost, its that I would rather stand at the football rather than sit, that simple. Is it that difficult to understand?

I have tried communicating with Swansea about supporting SS on several occasions, but they dont seem willing to move from their women and children, and safety rubbish. But I will keep hassleing, apparently there might be a meeting between the supporters and fans soon. I'll be looking forward to it.

It's good to see that most parties against standing have moved away from using safety as an excuse.

Although it's not very satisfying that the government have tried to completely pass the buck to the clubs and other parties. It's their legislation that this whole thing hinges on and they are supposed to represent and care about what the public think and not so much about what football clubs want/think.