Friday 1 June 2018 11:44, UK
The vast majority of fans at Football League clubs want the option of standing at games, according to a major EFL survey.
More than 33,000 supporters answered the questionnaire, making it the biggest ever response from fans to a survey.
Nearly all those who got involved (94%) want the option to choose between standing or seating while over two-thirds (69%) said they would rather stand than sit during games. Only 22% claimed a preference for seating.
Most under 35's (84%) said they wanted to stand while nearly half of all those surveyed (47%) indicated they would attend more matches if standing was available.
The survey comes ahead of a debate on the issue in Parliament on June 25 following a petition by more than 100,000 supporters.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Football supporters clearly want the option to stand at football matches and we see absolutely no reason why they should not be allowed the choice to have the match day experience they want.
"The safety of all fans attending football matches is the number one priority and we very much understand why the issue of standing at football matches is sensitive and the concerns that the Government may have in terms of changing the legislation.
"However, it is the view of the EFL that the current legislation is not appropriate, with some League One and League Two Clubs allowed standing areas in their stadiums but others not."
Peter Daykin of the Football Supporters' Federation added: "Once again, football supporters have made it abundantly clear they want the choice between sitting and standing at a match, genuine choice that is provided at horse racing, rugby, music festivals and beyond."
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) spokesperson told Sky Sports News: "Over a million people watch football every week and we are grateful for the engagement of fans from across the country in expressing their views on this issue.
"The Sports Minister looks forward to discussing at length the nuances and complexities of sports ground safety in Parliament later this month."
