Celtic confirm safe-standing area for 2016/17 season
The club confirmed the move as they announced a price freeze on season tickets for the 2016/17 campaign. Contained in the renewal information was a map of the ground detailing where the safe-standing section will be.
The modified area will sit in the lower tier where the North Stand meets the Lisbon Lions Stand at Celtic Park. This is around the area where the Green Brigade fans’ group are located. The initial plans will look to accommodate up to 2,600 supporters.
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Hide AdCeltic were granted permission from authorities in June last year to introduce the safe-standing area – based on versatile seating common at German grounds.
Celtic were twice knocked back by Glasgow City Council after applying for a safe-standing license.
The news of Celtic’s confirmation comes only eight days after an inquest jury ruled that the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed.
Failings of the police and ambulance services were found to have contributed to the deaths of supporters after a fatal crush during a FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool fans were initially blamed for the disaster, which occurred solely in the standing section at the Leppings Lane end of the ground, though this version of events proved to be false.
As a direct result of the disaster, football authorities in England implemented the recommendations of the Taylor Report, which called for the banning of standing sections and the mandatory introduction of all-seater stadia around the country.
Football in Scotland is not bound by the same laws. At a SPL general meeting in 2011, clubs agreed to relax rules regarding the need for all-seater grounds in the country’s top-flight league.
The safe-standing area will cost around £500,000 and will be installed over the summer.