A report into the issue of standing in seated areas was produced for the West Ham supporters forum Knees Up Mother Brown (KUMB).

The report’s conclusions were as follows:

1.2 The efforts made by the authorities to prevent standing are out of all proportion to the degree of the safety risk, and there is concern that the sanctions imposed will have a financial impact on clubs, and could lead to crowd disorder.

1.3 The Government has used its powers under the Football Spectators Act to decree that stadia in the top two divisions should be all seated, and although there is a very good case for the re-introduction of well managed safe standing areas, it appears unlikely that this will be rescinded in the foreseeable future.

1.4 The law relating to standing in seated areas in not clear, but does not appear to forbid standing. Ground regulations do not permit standing during play, but are based on guidelines not legislation.

1.5 The safety risks associated with persistent standing vary according to ground design, and in particular the slope and tier of a stand, but are generally very small. Passive standing during normal play is less hazardous than standing at times of excitement, yet there is no attempt to prevent this. Spectators leaving the ground at the end of a game has also been identified as a greater risk than standing during play.

1.6 The FLA state the possibility of a cascade effect as a major reason why it does not consider standing in seated areas to be safe, however given that many thousands of goals have been celebrated by supporters jumping from their seats with no such effect occurring, statistically the chances of this happening due to passive standing during play, must be negligible.

1.7 The FLA’s potential concerns with regard to crowd management are largely negated if supporters stand passively in front of their seats, and concerns relating to customer care can be overcome by separating those who wish to stand from those who prefer to sit.

1.8 Unless some compromise can be reached there will be increasing conflict, which will have a negative impact on supporters and clubs, and occupy resources which the safety authorities could use to deal with more serious issues.

1.9 A common sense approach is required, with a realistic approach to safety management.

1.10 It is suggested that for a trial period, one or more areas of each ground should be selected as giving the least risk, and supporters in these areas permitted to stand in front of their seats.

1.11 Supporters should be involved in the assessment of risk and safety management of these areas, and a Code of Conduct introduced to cover issues such as keeping gangways clear.

1.12 A new initiative is required to reach a solution, and this would have greater chance of success if it concentrated on achieving compromise on standing in seated areas, rather than aiming for the return of terracing. Football clubs should be encouraged to become involved in seeking a compromise solution.