West Brom disappointed at rejection of safe standing proposal

LONDON: The British government’s decision to reject Premier League strugglers West Browmwich Albion’s proposal to have a safe standing area is “surprising” and “disappointing”, said a club director.

West Brom staff had visited both Scottish champions Celtic and German outfit Hoffenheim who both have safe standing areas — ‘rail seats’, which can be locked in an upright position with safety barriers separating each row.West Brom’s plan had been to install 3,600 rail seats in one end of the Hawthorns ground.

However, British Sports minister Tracey Crouch says there are no plans to change the all-seater policy at football stadiums which was brought in as a result of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.

West Brom’s director of operations Mark Miles, who has led the proposal, described the decision as “surprising” and “disappointing”.“I think the minister has taken a short-sighted view and is preventing the club from creating a safer environment for supporters,” he said.“The all-seater policy was developed over 25 years ago and football is a very different place now.”