Stadiums: the House of Commons gives the green light for standing-only areas

To introduce ‘standing areas’ (areas with standing places) in Italian stadiums as well. This was the aim of a conference held in the Chamber of Deputies by the Club Genoani association, together with Federtifosi, Fissc and numerous MPs from both the government and the opposition who support the proposal: from Luca Pastorino of the Democratic Party to Ilaria Cavo of Nm, Luca Pirondini of the M5S and Salvatore Deidda.

From the perspective of the proposal’s supporters, standing areas would make it possible to increase the number of seats, lower ticket prices and also improve safety. Participants at the conference ‘Let’s Take Football Back to Its Roots’ also received a message from the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, who stated that the proposal ‘deserves consideration insofar as it can help make supporting one’s team even more engaging, whilst respecting safety requirements. ‘These solutions,’ wrote Fontana, ‘can also make sporting events more affordable, offering even those with limited means the chance to experience the thrills of the match up close.’

Pastorino explained that “for the time being, there is a campaign. But in order to create standing areas, a 1996 decree – which effectively bans them in large stadiums – needs to be amended. A trial has been carried out across the EU over the last four years, and there are stadiums that have UEFA certification for this type of space”. So the next step, “given that all political parties are involved”, is “to press for the round-table discussion that Minister Abodi announced – as a first step towards addressing the issue – following a question I raised three weeks ago”.

According to Ilaria Cava of Nm, “it is a proposal that should be given serious consideration and supported because it allows for an increase in seating capacity and helps keep prices in check – making it more accessible for people to attend matches at the stadium” – but without compromising safety. “I’ve noticed that Minister Abodi has also shown some openness to the idea.”

“Unfortunately, price rises are now affecting every sector, including sport,” said Luca Pirondini, the M5S group leader in the Senate. Cheering on and supporting your team in Italia has become almost impossible: the sudden halt to away trips and expensive tickets are keeping fans and supporters – especially young people – further and further away from the stadiums. But it is they who give football its soul and voice. Without them, football does not exist. That is why we wholeheartedly support the proposal on standing areas put forward by Federtifosi and Fissc: a grassroots campaign that combines safety and passion. Borussia Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ proves that you can experience football standing up, together, safely and with a genuine grassroots spirit. It is a measure to be combined with others already trialled at European level to tackle high ticket prices, which we have already promoted locally in Genoa and which we will also support as part of the football reform currently under discussion in the Senate.”