Hillsborough families say no to return of terracing

Proposals to bring back standing areas at football grounds have been blasted by the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG).

The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) has launched an online petition calling for the return of standing areas in the top two divisions of English football.

The campaign already looks to be foundering, however, with the HFSG and Premier League opposing the move, and the Government saying there has been no compelling case to bring back terraces.

Standing at matches in the top two divisions was banned following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, and HFSG chairman Margaret Aspinall said: "The Hillsborough Family Support Group are totally against any form of standing whatsoever. We are absolutely against it and always will be.

"Our football clubs should remain all-seater stadiums. People always say they have standing areas in Germany but we don't play any part over what happens in that country - we just believe there's no such thing as safe standing in this country."

The issue of allowing some standing areas has been revisited a number of times since all- seater stadiums became compulsory in 1994. Kate Hoey tried to back a scheme when she was sports minister in 2001 but the then Government blocked it.

The FSF held a meeting on Monday with representatives from the police, Government and football authorities.

FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke argued that many fans already stand all match despite having seats, which is viewed as a safety risk. He added: "Fans do believe they have lost something in the move to all-seating. We will be doing further research to respond to the concerns of those who are not yet convinced."

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said he would examine the evidence for safe standing but played down any likelihood of a change to the law.

The first time that a significant accident or crowd trouble took place on a terrace would have major repercussions, Robertson told the meeting.

The FSF says safe standing areas can be convertible to and from seating to allow Champions League matches to be played in all-seater grounds. They also argue that ticket prices for standing areas are lower than in seated areas.

The Premier League insists that all-seater stadia are safe and better for fans. Spokesman Dan Johnson said: "Our view is that the benefits of all-seater stadia far outweigh the return of standing areas. They have led to more women and more children attending the games and no matter how safe standing can be made, seating is always safer. We will not be encouraging the Government to change the law."