Liverpool supporters have given further impetus to the campaign for safe standing in English football’s top two divisions by voting overwhelmingly in favour of rail seating.
Almost 18,000 supporters took part in a week-long poll conducted by the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) supporters union, which has held discussions with Hillsborough families and survivors over the past nine months about what will always be an emotive and sensitive subject at Anfield. Of the 17,910 people who voted, an emphatic 88.21% (15,798) were in favour of rail seating being introduced in football stadiums; 902 (5.04%) were against, 859 (4.8%) wanted to know more on the subject and 351 (1.96%) were undecided.
A separate vote among SOS members returned similar figures in all categories. The highest category of respondents were aged between 22 and 34 (40%) and of those old enough to have stood on the old Kop (those aged over 12 in 1994) 85% voted in favour.
The SOS vote followed not only meetings with Hillsborough families and survivors, many of whom were informed of the outcome before it was made public, but also an open meeting in Liverpool nine days ago. The meeting heard from representatives of the Football Supporters’ Federation, which has long campaigned for the introduction of safe standing, Celtic, who introduced a 3,000-strong rail seating section last season, and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.
In a statement SOS said: “Such a turnout and overwhelming majority in favour of rail seating cannot be ignored. It was always our intention to ensure all supporters had an opportunity to contribute, listen to differing views and then decide. This has now happened. We realise the significance of this vote both locally and in the wider debate nationally. From when discussions of rail seating first began, Liverpool supporters and Hillsborough have been referenced both as a reason not to do it, or as a possible turning point that would allow its introduction. Now, our views are known and we urge everyone to digest and understand the sensitivities and detail behind the outcome.
“Our voice and views should not be misused, misrepresented or misappropriated by anyone. We will not allow that. No one has ‘won’. There are no winners or losers. We would encourage those campaigning for the introduction of rail-seating areas to ensure that all views are heard and to ensure the questions and concerns of those opposed are addressed. To this end we offer an open invitation for any campaign or group to engage with us regarding these results so that they are interpreted in a full and proper manner.”
The result gives certainty to SOS’s position on rail seating but does not mean the union will ask Liverpool to introduce a section at Anfield or campaign for it. Liverpool have always been guided on the issue by the majority view of Hillsborough families – the Hillsborough Family Support Group is opposed and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign has no fixed view but welcomes a fair debate – but has recently stated it will listen to fans’ opinions, too.
The government has no plans to allow safe standing in English football’s top two divisions for the first time since all-seat stadiums were introduced following Lord Justice Taylor’s report into the 1989 disaster, when 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough.
Jay McKenna, the chair of SOS, said: “The vote is significant and we know people will see this as backing of rail seating. However, we say to anyone who is campaigning for this to understand sensitivities and respect the views of those who disagree. No one wins here, this has been a mature and sensitive conversation and we have arrived at a position. Those who have been through incredible heartache and tragedy have every right to be heard and to ask important questions about safety. It was important in our conversations to have these answered. It would be wise for that to take place elsewhere.”
McKenna added: “We’ve always been clear that this was about rail-seating areas in football stadiums and not specifically at Anfield. Any such discussion is for a future point and requires more talking to those involved – supporters, the football club and importantly families and survivors. That will inevitably be asked but for now we want to take time to reflect on the vote and allow others to do the same.”
Jürgen Klopp has said Liverpool are targeting the Premier League title this season and that Philippe Coutinho will remain an integral part of those ambitions despite being pursued by Barcelona.
The Liverpool manager reiterated his and his club’s stance on the Brazil international in Munich, where he is preparing for the Audi Cup tournament alongside Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid and Napoli. Liverpool have rejected a £72m bid for Coutinho from Barcelona and are adamant the 25-year-old will not be sold, although the Spanish club’s interest in the player remains.
Asked whether Liverpool would return with a third offer for the Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keïta should Coutinho move to Camp Nou, Klopp replied: “You formulate the question in a strange way. Where is the interpretation if you say he’s not available to be sold? The word ‘not’ means there is nothing to interpret. It is nothing new from our point of view.”
Klopp stated an ambition for the forthcoming season is to lift Liverpool’s first league championship since 1990, a target he feels is realistic despite being frustrated in his attempts to sign Keïta and the Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
“Yes we will be playing for the Championship – that’s what we did last season when we finished fourth,” he said. “You don’t start a season without ambition. I think we have our goals and I think we have a good team now. We had a bit of bad luck last season too so hopefully that will change, and I think we have a strong team. Let’s hope we do very well. We have to work very hard to achieve what we want and we are doing that.”
Liverpool discover their Champions League play-off opponents on Friday and Carlo Ancelotti, the Bayern coach, believes English clubs will provide stiffer competition in Europe than in recent seasons.
Ancelotti said: “I think the Champions League this year will be more competitive because there are really important English teams in the competition – United, City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool. I hope Jürgen will win in the qualification round and then Liverpool will help make the Champions League more competitive. It will be more difficult to win this season.”