I was pleased to learn of the Scottish Premier League’s decision at its recent meeting to relax the rules surrounding standing at football.
A number of constituents have been in touch with me over the past few years about the introduction of safe standing at football. In May 2009, I was delighted to be able to support the Pars Supporters Trust when they presented a petition to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petition’s Committee on Safe Standing Areas at Football Stadia.
Sadly, at a further meeting of the Public Petitions Committee in September of that year, it was decided not to pursue the matter further as they had received notificiation that “the Scottish Government considers that all available information and evidence indicate that all-seater stadia provide a safer environment for football events than standing areas. In addition, although it has stated it would consider revisiting this policy should representations from the football authorities be made, no such representations have taken place”.
You can read more about this petition from 2009 on the Public Petitions Committee webpage.
Given the change in opinion from the SPL, I look forward to those clubs who wish to introduce safe standing at football, to be able to do so.
I conduct roving surgeries on Mondays or can meet by appointment. I'm always keen to hear from the people I represent.
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