LEAKED REPORT SETS THE CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS
‘Fans at the front of Manchester United's Stretford End
singing section face a 75% risk of a catastrophic accident
when celebrating a goal - according to an explosive,
previously unpublished report into standing in seated areas
at Old Trafford.
singing section face a 75% risk of a catastrophic accident
when celebrating a goal - according to an explosive,
previously unpublished report into standing in seated areas
at Old Trafford.
‘Both the interim and final reports - completed over 12
months ago - have been leaked to The Press Association and
the surprising findings could reopen a vigorous debate over
standing at football grounds, currently outlawed by the
Taylor Report conducted in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough
tragedy.
months ago - have been leaked to The Press Association and
the surprising findings could reopen a vigorous debate over
standing at football grounds, currently outlawed by the
Taylor Report conducted in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough
tragedy.
‘The most startling observation contained within the report
is the concern over the safety of supporters at the front of
the top tiers of the 67,500-seat stadium.
is the concern over the safety of supporters at the front of
the top tiers of the 67,500-seat stadium.
‘According to the report, there is a 'high likelihood' of a
catastrophic accident, that could lead to multiple deaths,
from fans falling over the edge of the second tier because
the barriers currently in place are not designed to hold
back a standing spectator.
catastrophic accident, that could lead to multiple deaths,
from fans falling over the edge of the second tier because
the barriers currently in place are not designed to hold
back a standing spectator.
‘Of particular concern is why United actively encouraged
fans who wanted to generate atmosphere - the ones most
likely to stand - to relocate to the upper tier of the
Stretford End - one of the areas they deem most dangerous
because of its height and steep gradients.
fans who wanted to generate atmosphere - the ones most
likely to stand - to relocate to the upper tier of the
Stretford End - one of the areas they deem most dangerous
because of its height and steep gradients.
‘Significantly, in the interim judgement, the report deems
the relocation of the 'fan zone' from the upper tier to the
lower, which currently houses a large number of executive
ticket holders, as essential.
the relocation of the 'fan zone' from the upper tier to the
lower, which currently houses a large number of executive
ticket holders, as essential.
‘Without explanation, this requirement has been withdrawn
from the final report, although it remains within the body
of the text.
from the final report, although it remains within the body
of the text.
‘Commissioned by Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council at a
cost of £25,000, the report highlights what it sees as the
inadequacy of current legislation for the configuration of
soccer grounds in the United Kingdom and as an essential
recommendation in the report has called for a 'provision to
be made in the design guidance for specific circumstances
under which standing is generally unavoidable'.
cost of £25,000, the report highlights what it sees as the
inadequacy of current legislation for the configuration of
soccer grounds in the United Kingdom and as an essential
recommendation in the report has called for a 'provision to
be made in the design guidance for specific circumstances
under which standing is generally unavoidable'.
‘The report determines 'moments of high excitement', such as
goals, as such times, and conclude these situations offer
far more danger to spectators than the lengthy periods of
passive standing the report was commissioned to investigate.
goals, as such times, and conclude these situations offer
far more danger to spectators than the lengthy periods of
passive standing the report was commissioned to investigate.
‘The report was commissioned in 2002 at the behest of TMBC,
who a year earlier had threatened to close parts of Old
Trafford because of the safety threat posed by persistent
standing. There was no firm reason why the report had never
been made available to the general public, as was the
original intention.’
who a year earlier had threatened to close parts of Old
Trafford because of the safety threat posed by persistent
standing. There was no firm reason why the report had never
been made available to the general public, as was the
original intention.’
While most newspapers concentrate on the sensational ‘Death
Risk At Old Trafford’ headlines, IMUSA have gone onto the
attack:
Risk At Old Trafford’ headlines, IMUSA have gone onto the
attack:
“The report quite clearly states that supporters are in more
danger when celebrating goals than they are just standing up
to watch the game,” said Jules Spencer, chairman of the
Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association.
danger when celebrating goals than they are just standing up
to watch the game,” said Jules Spencer, chairman of the
Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association.
“On that basis, why are Manchester United being punished by
having their ticket allocation reduced? Fans of every club
in the country stand up when a goal is scored, so to single
out just one is patently unfair. This kind of situation has
been occurring repeatedly for a number of years now, yet the
evidence of this report suggests such a standpoint does not
take into account the facts.
having their ticket allocation reduced? Fans of every club
in the country stand up when a goal is scored, so to single
out just one is patently unfair. This kind of situation has
been occurring repeatedly for a number of years now, yet the
evidence of this report suggests such a standpoint does not
take into account the facts.
“You have to beg the question why this report has never been
released, but now it has been brought to public attention,
the authorities should take notice of it. This report
clearly outlines a number of areas of concern, which need to
be addressed. It's time for the council to let everyone see
the report and let them draw their own conclusions. IMUSA
has long been campaigning for the singing section to be
moved from tier two to tier one. It seems an easy solution
to us, so why hasn't it been done?”
released, but now it has been brought to public attention,
the authorities should take notice of it. This report
clearly outlines a number of areas of concern, which need to
be addressed. It's time for the council to let everyone see
the report and let them draw their own conclusions. IMUSA
has long been campaigning for the singing section to be
moved from tier two to tier one. It seems an easy solution
to us, so why hasn't it been done?”