LONDON: The prospect of safe standing in the top two English leagues has moved a step closer with the UK Government preparing to review the arguments after informal consultations with the Premier League and Football League.

In April Sports minister Tracey Crouch said there were no plans to change the all-seater policy but the issue will be debated in Parliament on June 25.

Terracing for standing fans in the top two divisions was outlawed by the Football Spectators’ Act in 1989, enacting recommendations from the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans died.

West Bromwich Albion, subsequently from Premier to Football League, were rebuffed after seeking permission to trial German-style safe standing at The Hawthorns. Subsequently a petition in support gathered more than the requisite 100,000 signatures.

A government source told the BBC: “Safety of supporters is paramount. However we recognise that technology and stadium design has evolved since the all-seater policy was introduced and the time is right to look at the issue.

“The sports minister has not shut the door to fans keen on standing sections being introduced but it is important that all the evidence and viewpoints are considered extremely carefully.”

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