Chelsea to test safe standing at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 30 years against Liverpool
Chelsea to pilot safe standing inside stadiums for the first time in 30 years in the Premier League.
Chelsea will bring an end to a 30-year ban of having all Premier League and Championship football fans seated, when they pilot a safe standing scheme early next year.
Standing in the top two flights of English football has been prohibited following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.
But the west London club have been given permission to take part in a trial where a section of Stamford Bridge will have fans standing.
The first match is scheduled to be against Liverpool Liverpool on January 2.
Alongside Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United complete a trio of clubs who have been picked to try out the scheme that is aimed at having safe standing sections across all top-flight football matches.
Areas within the Matthew Harding Stand and the Shed End will be used for standing - with rail seating having already been installed.
A Chelsea statement read: “For the Liverpool game and subsequent trial games, all supporters with tickets in the safe standing areas are allocated a seat as usual but now have the option of standing during the game at their allocated seat.
“Should they wish to, they can remain seated but they must be aware that surrounding fans may stand and there is no dedicated area only for those who wish to sit.
“The trial does not extend to Champions League games. Rail seating will operate as previously this season for matches in that competition.”
“The introduction of licensed standing areas is based on evidence of a safety risk for fans who persistently stand in seated areas.
“In addition, many fans want the choice to stand and, with the advent of new engineering solutions, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s research has shown this can be managed safely.
"The early adopters will be evaluated through independent research and the findings, anticipated in the second half of the season, will inform subsequent SGSA advice to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) about the potential wider roll out of licensed standing from the start of next season.
“It should be noted that standing in any other areas of the stadium is not permitted.”
Tottenham fans will also be able to stand in the South stand when they get their turn to do the trial.