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Government set to examine safe standing in Premier League and Championship

Celtic Park added a safe standing section in 2016 and it has been viewed as an overwhelming success. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The UK government is poised to commission a review into safe standing at matches in the top two divisions.

The issue will be debated in Parliament later this month, with the BBC reporting that a government source had said "the time is right" to examine the issue of whether all-seater stadiums should remain mandatory.

"Safety of supporters is paramount," the BBC reported the government source as saying. "However, we recognise that technology and stadium design has evolved since the all-seater policy was introduced and the time is right to look at the issue.

"The sports minister has not shut the door to fans keen on standing sections being introduced but it is important that all the evidence and viewpoints are considered extremely carefully."

In April, West Bromwich Albion saw proposals for a safe standing area to be introduced at The Hawthorns turned down by the government.

The Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, said then that there were no plans to change the all-seater policy brought in following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for safe standing to be allowed in the top two divisions.

Scottish champions Celtic have a safe standing area while Shrewsbury Town, who lost in the League One playoff final, will add one over the summer.