Liberal Democrats call for safe standing to be introduced in English football

The Liberal Democrats are hoping to give football clubs in the Premier League and Championship the option of introducing safe standing areas in their stadiums.

Currently, the Football Spectators Act 1989 is in place and it states that all football fans should be seated during matches.

The law was changed 25 years ago after 96 Liverpool fans passed away as a result of a crush on the terraces of the Hillsborough stadium during an FA Cup semi-final between the Reds and Nottingham Forest.

According to BBC Sport, the political party are planning to include the proposal as part of their manifesto for the 2015 general election.

The party are hoping to introduce a similar system to that adopted in Germany, which consists of rail seats as opposed to full-standing terraces.