Manchester City may become safe zone to install rail seats

The law should allow Manchester City to install more than 5,000 rail seats at the Etihad Stadium to take advantage of any possible changes. The task will take place before the start of the 2021/22 season, meaning there will be no disruption for supporters, who hope to be able to return to matches after the coronovirus lockout by then. Rail seats can be moved on and off to create a safe-standing area with barriers.

All-seater stadiums are mandatory in the top two levels of English football since the 1994/95 season following recommendations on safety in the Taylor Report.

The report was commissioned in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which resulted in the death of 96 Liverpool fans after crushing them on only-terraced roofs before their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

But in recent years there has been a renewed push to bring it back safely.

City, poised to win a third Premier League title in four seasons, believes that starting rail seats now will increase security in an area already affected by consecutive matches.

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Manchester City Operations Managing Director Danny Wilson said: “The development and installation of a bespoke rail seating system at Etihad Stadium will not only improve pro-security, but also ensure that until the law changes, which Safe standing allows the match experience of supporters and seasoncard holders at the bottom of the South Stand will be unaffected. “

Tottenham and Wolves have already installed sections of rail seating.