It is ok to Stand as long as Rod Stewart doesn’t Play Football

By: Bob | November 17th, 2006

We all have causes and issues we are passionate about. Just last week I achieved my life’s mission by being voted treasurer of the local chapter of the Motorhead fan club. My feet haven’t touched the ground since. For the folks at Stand Up Sit Down, their passion is standing at football matches. Their enemy is those who require that your butt be firmly planted in a seat for 90 minutes.

The group is in the news today because they are upset that people will be allowed to stand and dance this summer while Rod Stewart plays a gig at the City of Manchester stadium, and because they are not allowed to do the same when Joey Barton drops his pants at a match.

Spokesman Amanda Matthews said: “Football fans face threats of ejection, bans and stand closures if they persistently stand throughout football matches on lower levels, yet music fans are free to stand and dance throughout the concert at all levels.”

Miss Matthews asked: “If it is safe to stand up in all sections of the seated areas for a concert, why is it not safe to do so in the lower tiers during a football match?

“The licensing authorities cannot have it both ways and we intend to challenge the licence being sought to hold this and other concerts.”

The group also points out that there have been more injuries to fans at concerts by groups like Oasis than there are on average at football matches.

The one flaw in this argument, however, is that this is a Rod Freakin’ Stewart concert. Have you heard his music lately? The only injuries likely to occur are to those who have any sensibility for music.

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Category: World Football

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combat chuck

The thing is, when everyone is standing in front of you at a soccer game (or any sport, for that matter), you can't see the action. Then you're forced to watch the entire game standing up. At a concert, the stage is usually about 6 feet off the ground, so standing fans don't obstruct anyone's view.
Chris

If you've ever asked someone to sit down at a soccer game you should know that you are an asshole. You probably also would love it if people would avoid yelling and would celebrate goals with a polite yet soft clapping of the hands. If you have a problem with fans standing during matches you should stay at home and watch the game on TV or sit in an area for reserved for those who want to sit. There's just no acceptable reason to ban standing entirely.

"The aim is to restore supporter’s choice as to whether they stand or sit to watch football, by agreeing areas where standing will be accepted.

We want at least one area of each ground to selected for supporters to be allowed to stand in front of their allocated seats. Our proposals will actually improve safety over the current situation by restricting standing to the most suitable areas."

Amen to that!