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Safe standing at football 'will increase racial abuse' claims Labour MP
Safe standing areas at football grounds create a “real danger” of racist abuse, a Labour MP has said.
Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) – who said he had fought for years for family friendly football – told MPs he had “deep” reservations about standing at games.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch said spectators had “evolved” since the introduction of all-seater stadiums.
During Digital, Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons, Mr Sheerman asked: “Is she aware that many of us have fought for years for family friendly football, that some of us have deep reservation of standing areas where possibly a lot of young men who like to shout and sometimes shout racist abuse – I’m not saying all of them do.
“But there is a real danger here and Dean Hoyle, the wonderful owner of Huddersfield Town, has his reservations and so do I.”
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Ms Crouch replied: “(Mr Sheerman) is quite right that there has been a significant change since the all-seater stadia policy came in and that spectators have evolved and that actually it is a much more family friendly place for people to go and watch football.
“However that is not to say that we are not looking at ways that we can accommodate those who do wish to stand but we don’t have any plans at this particular moment to change the legislation.”
Ms Crouch later said she regretted saying a “vocal minority” wanted to stand at football games, although she sought to downplay the demand.
Labour MP Alex Norris (Nottingham North) said a March poll of Premier League fans suggested 72% supported the introduction of standing areas in football grounds.
He asked: “Why is it the minister believes only a vocal minority want this to happen and where did she get the figures from for this assertion?”
Ms Crouch replied: “I speak regularly with the Premier League and they have done many surveys on this issue and while I regret using the phrase ‘vocal minority’, it is true that only 5% themselves would like to stand, whereas I appreciate there’s a wider group of very passionate fans who think that standing should be introduced.”
