25 Jul 2008Calls to sit down likely to be unpopular

Football Clubs News | Football Supporters News | Football Technology and Stadia

Arsenal fans have been asked to remain seated, a call that is likely to met with disappointment by the majority of fans.

Club officials wrote to members explaining the club's seating policy in relation to both safety and the enjoyment of the game.

While many fans want to stand throughout the game, Arsenal said that the welfare of other supporters needed to be considered, along with safety issues and stadium regulations.

"As soon as someone stands up they prevent many people from having a full view of the pitch," the letter read.

Recent football research seems to back calls for safe standing areas in football ground.

Football Fans Census (FFC) found that 92 per cent of fans wanted clubs to bring back safe standing areas after they were banned in the top two divisions in reaction to the Hillsborough disaster.

Arsenal said that safety regulations require the club to demonstrate that it can manage its supporters.

But John Beattie, stadium manager, said that fans could stand up in a bid to encourage the team.

"We have no objection to people standing in order to see a particular move or at crucial points in the game," he said.

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