The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust has today sent the following letter to Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive of Arsenal Football Club asking that he raises the issues of Safe Standing at the next Premier League meeting and urges a trial of Safe Standing/ Rail Seating areas.

8 September 2014

Dear Ivan,

TRIAL OF RAIL SEATING/SAFE STANDING

We understand there is a Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Thursday 11^th September. In light of the many recent developments, this would be a good opportunity for Premier League Clubs to have a discussion on safe standing.

In the recent survey of AST members, 72% supported the introduction of Safe Standing areas (20% were against and 8% had no opinion). It is also an issue promoted by other Supporters Groups at Arsenal.  In the past both yourself and Arsene Wenger have supported this cause which is very much welcomed.

As you are no doubt aware, in August the Liberal Democrats announced that their 2015 manifesto will include a pledge to allow safe standing areas in current all-seater stadia, the Welsh Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for safe standing trials in Wales and the Independent Football Ombudsman published his latest annual report, in which he “recommends that the football authorities discuss with the Sports Ground Safety Authority and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport the mounting of an experiment in ‘Safe Standing“.

This all comes at a time when the Football League’s executive team is already discussing possible safe standing trials with the sports minister and the SGSA, having been mandated to do so earlier in the year by 75% of the League’s member clubs.

Given the topic’s current high profile, the AST hopes this the subject will be on the agenda at the Premier League meeting. If not, perhaps it is something that you would consider bringing up for discussion under any other business.

It is an issue that is gaining support across Football.  As I am sure you are aware from your own conversations with counterparts at other clubs, the level of interest in safe standing at Premier League level is just as high, if not higher, than in the Football League. Aston Villa, Sunderland, Swansea, Crystal Palace and Hull City have all been long-standing public supporters of the concept, as have newcomers Burnley. Ed Woodward at Manchester United has said that he “will argue for it at pertinent meetings“, while West Ham’s co-chairman, David Gold, has said on many occasions that he supports safe standing, adding, for instance, “I believe that safe standing is a viable alternative to the current unsafe and anti-social standing“.

In addition to these clubs and owners who have expressed their support for safe standing publicly, there are others we are informed by those involved closely with the issue, including further major players, who in private are equally keen to see safe standing introduced.

The AST fully understands that an outright declaration of support for safe standing may be something that some in the Premier League might at this point in time consider a move too far, too fast. On the other hand, clubs such as Villa, Sunderland and Swansea have indicated in the past that they would be happy to offer their grounds as sites for safe standing trials, so perhaps a call for trials to be run at these grounds is something that could gain consensus support.

We very much hope that Arsenal will back trials, or rail seating, so that a greater understanding can be gained and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Yours sincerely,

Arsenal Supporters’ Trust