The Emirates Stadium

• FOOTBALL supporters will be appalled at sports minister Tracey Crouch’s refusal of West Bromwich Albion’s request for a trial of safe standing.

Ms Crouch says that fans who want the choice to sit or stand as they prefer are a “vocal minority”. She couldn’t be more arrogant or poorly informed.

Repeated surveys of Arsenal supporters – the most recent by Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, which had 7,239 responses – showed massive majorities in favour, in this case 96 per cent.

Eighty-five per cent of those who prefer or must sit (which includes myself as a wheelchair user) still want a choice for their fellow fans.

Ninety-one per cent of women were in favour, 99 per cent of under-35s, 85 per cent of over-60s, 95 per cent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supporters. Support for safe standing is universal. Similar majorities can be found at other clubs.

How can it be right or logical for standing to be permitted in Scotland, the lower divisions in England and Wales, rugby league, rugby union and horse racing, but not in the Premier League and EFL Championship?

Ms Crouch herself recently lauded the new development at Headingley rugby league ground in Leeds, which includes safe standing. It’s laudable at Headingley but not at Elland Road, the football ground in the same city? Madness.

New 21st century football stadia with safe standing exist in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the USA and Australia.

Ms Crouch should avail herself of a meeting organised by the All Party Parliamentary Football Supporters’ Group at Westminster on May 1, which will be attended by representatives of Celtic FC to talk about the new standing area at Celtic Park.

Islington MPs Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn should attend as well. Labour needs to support safe standing too.

STEVEN POWELL
Highbury Station Road, N1