Man Utd and Chelsea first to trial return of safe standing after 27 years

Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City are among the five clubs reportedly set to trial "safe standing" from January.

Standing hasn't been allowed in the Premier League since all-seater stadiums were made compulsory in 1994, more than 27 years ago.

As reported by The Times, five clubs - including those aforementioned and Championship outfit Cardiff - have joined the pilot scheme to test the protocols.

Designated standing areas are expected to be introduced for both home and away fans after some clubs implemented rails during the summer.

It's believed Tottenham will have more than 10,000 fans standing at their brand new stadium, with Arsenal, West Ham and Wolves all looking to follow suit.

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Wolves first implemented "safe standing" in 2019 ( Image:

PA)

The Safe-Standing Roadshow's Jon Darch has previously said: "Quite a few more clubs have it on the radar for next summer."

"Safe standing" is designed to have the exact same capacity of an all-seater stadium but allow those who wish to stand to do so.

Man Utd's first home game of 2022 is their Premier League clash with Wolves on January 3, while Spurs host rivals Arsenal 12 days later.

As quoted by the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils' managing director Richard Arnold celebrated the scheme during the summer as the club fitted Old Trafford with rails.

He said: "Our belief is that the introduction of barrier seats will enhance spectator safety in areas of the stadium where - as with other clubs - we have seen examples of persistent standing.

"It also allows us to future-proof the stadium in the event of any changes to the current all-seater stadium policy. If the trial is successful, we may consider further implementation of barrier seating in other parts of the stadium.

"We will now move on to develop the installation, compliance and licensing plan for the trial, with a view to having the new seats installed for when we can welcome our supporters back to Old Trafford."

Chelsea also have a big game fixture to start 2022 - hosting Liverpool on January 2 - before the Blues travel to the Etihad 13 days later for Man City's first home game of the year.

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Cardiff, meanwhile, will get to test "safe standing" when they host Blackburn on January 15. Rovers won the Premier League in 1994-95 - the first season of all-seater stadiums.

Man City's managing director of operations, Danny Wilson, has previously said: "The development and installation of a bespoke rail seating system at the Etihad Stadium will not only improve supporter safety but also ensures that until there is a change in legislation which permits safe standing, the matchday experience of supporters and season-card holders in the lower tier of the South Stand will remain unaffected.

"Whilst we will continue to remind supporters that they should remain seated during matches, we are also pleased to inform them that the installation of a rail seating area means the Etihad Stadium will be ready and prepared should the government bring forward legislation to introduce safe standing in the Premier League."