Skip to main content
CampaignsNews and views

City MP speaks up for safe standing at Fratton Park

By 25 June 2018No Comments

Stephen Morgan speaks in Commons debate to call on Government to reverse unjust ban
 MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, today spoke in a Westminster Hall debate in support of safe standing at Fratton Park.
The debate was secured after over 100,000 people signed a Parliamentary petition asking the Government to review their position.
Both the football club and supporters’ trust are in favour of safe standing in Portsmouth at Stephen urged the Minister to listen to them and other fans across the country and reverse what has been described as an inconsistent and unjust ban on standing areas at clubs who have been in the top two leagues for three years or more.

Speaking in the debate, Stephen said:
‘Our club is…a prime example of the injustice of the Government’s stance on safe standing. Because, in reality, this isn’t about whether to bring safe standing into our football grounds. It’s already there.
When Portsmouth fans travel to Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Wycombe, countless other sides in the football league, they see stadiums operating fully licensed standing sections.
Yet, back at Fratton Park, they’ve no choice. Standing sections aren’t allowed. And this is all because we’ve previously spent more than three seasons in the top two tiers.’
Last year, Labour pledged that all sports should be inclusive for all – by giving fans and supporters the opportunity to have a greater say in how their clubs are run. Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP and Stephen support giving Pompey fans the power to decide what is safe for the future of their club.
During the last few months, Stephen has consulted with the football club and the supporters’ trust. He found there to be a clear majority in favour of safe standing.
The Government’s Safe Standing “review” was hastily announced overnight and fans have voiced concerns that the Department doesn’t want a review, but for the status quo to remain.
On the same day the Government announced a review, the Sports Minister wrote to an MP backing all-seater stadia. Several MPs have since replied to fans saying the Govt policy won’t change.
In Westminster Hall, Stephen added:
‘When the Minister rejected West Brom’s application for safe standing, she described its proponents as a ‘vocal minority’.
Well, she’s right on the first count. Pompey supporters, the best in the country, aren’t known for their shy and retiring approach. They’ll continue to make their voices heard.
But they are by no means a minority, and its high time the Minister acknowledged that.
Why should divisional status, historical divisional status at that, have any implications for whether clubs can have standing sections at their grounds?
As far as I’m concerned, it’s utterly nonsensical, and fans in my constituency are understandably frustrated.
I implore the Government to trust fans, they know their clubs best.’