Standing risk for Reds
John Scheerhout MEN
MANCHESTER United could be sued over failing to act on
an alarming report into the problem of standing fans
at Old Trafford.
That's the view of fans who have campaigned for years
to have so-called "safe-standing" at football grounds.
The danger was outlined by Independent Manchester
United Supporters' Association spokesman Mark Longden
as Trafford councillors met this afternoon to discuss
the problem of persistent standing at the
67,500-capacity ground.
A report reveals United supporters were among the
worst offenders for standing up at away games.
They join away supporters of Aston Villa, Cardiff,
Leeds United, Newcastle United and West Ham United as
the six worst culprits - and their away allocations
could be cut unless the situaion improves.
The new report does not go into the problem posed by
home fans at United or suggest solutions.
But IMUSA were attending today's meeting and planned
to tackle both the club and council officials about
the apparent lack of action following a
risk-assessment in April.
Then, the MEN reported how consultants hired by
Trafford council said the risk of persistent standing
at the all-seater ground was "relatively low".
But it said fans near the front of the highest tiers -
such as the Stretford End "singing section" - were at
high risk of falling at exciting moments, because
barriers were not designed to hold back standing
spectators.
Serious danger
The council asked for the report after persistent
standing by fans forced them to threaten to close
parts of the ground.
The council and the club say the problem has since
eased.
But the report by consultancy firm Atkins says there
is still a serious danger, particularly to fans near
the front of the top tiers in the North, East and West
stands.
Mr Longden said: "If somebody has an accident when the
club has already been warned, then they are leaving
themselves open to being sued."
He added: "I don't get the logic of their argument.
"Atkins says persistent standing isn't a real risk.
But it does say there is a risk in moments of high
excitement, when a goal goes in or when leaving the
ground. Yet that is allowed by the club and the
council, while they target people who persistently
stand.
"Nothing seems to have been done after Atkins. If
there is an accident, someone could sue the club and a
good lawyer could probably drive a coach and horses
through any defence the club might put forward,
because Atkins warned them."
United spokesman Phil Townsend said: "We are happy we
comply with the conditions in our safety licence."
He added: "We keep our safety procedures under
constant review. Things are constantly being done to
try to make Old Trafford a safe and secure place to
enjoy football."
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