Thursday, November 10, 2016

Premier League clubs agree changes to away fan seating - so how will they affect each stadium?

Premier League clubs have agreed to ensure that at least one block of away fans are seated pitch-side at every game from next season.

The exact locations of away supporters will depend upon the layout of each stadium, but the league's CEO Richard Scudamore has said every ground will have travelling fans next to the pitch from 2017/18.

"Basically you won't be able to be stuck up in the third tier, out in the corner, if you're an away fan," he told Sky.

"Pitch-side is the easiest way of describing it but clearly some ground configurations [mean] there might be some gap between where the seats actually are, and there might be something else in between that and the pitch.

Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore spoke about the rule changes this week

"It's about atmosphere. One of the unique things about our game, particularly in England, is the amount of away fans and the noise they create.

"When an away goal is scored, you want that atmosphere and interaction between the two sets of fans."

So, which grounds will be affected?

A view of Emirates Stadium, looking directly into the corner where the away fans sit

Arsenal - No change. The Emirates Stadium already has away fans 'pitch-side', although there is technically a gap between fans and the grass.

Bournemouth - No change. There is only one tier on the East Stand, where the away fans are located.

Burnley - No change. There is only one tier on the David Fishwick Stand, where the away fans are located.

Chelsea - No change expected, with away fans already having access to pitch-side seats in the corner of the East Stand and Shed End.

Crystal Palace - No change. There is only one tier on the Arthur Wait Stand, where the away fans are located.

Have your say in the comments below

Leicester fans in the away end at Stamford Bridge

Everton - No change. Fans are housed in the Bullens Road stand in two tiers. When that is reduced to one tier, fans sit in the lower section.

Hull City - No change. There is only one tier on the corner of the North and East stands where the away fans are located.

Leicester City - No change. Away fans currently located on the corner of the Air Asia Stand and the Marks Electrical Family Stand, where they have pitch-side seats.

Liverpool - No change. fans already have seats next to the pitch on the Anfield Road Stand.

Manchester City - No change. Fans already have pitch-side seats in the South Stand.

Away fans at Old Trafford sit in the corner of the East and South Stands, but will have to move

Manchester United - United will need to make changes to the away section at Old Trafford. At present there is one block of home supporters between the pitch and travelling fans, who sit in the corner of the East and South stands.

Middlesbrough - No change. Away fans are situated within the East Stand, which only has one tier.

Southampton - No change. Away fans are situated within the Northam Stand, which only has one tier.

Stoke City - No change. Away fans are situated within the West Stnd, which only has one tier.

Sunderland - Changes will have to be made at the Stadium of Light. Away fans currently sit in the upper tier of the North Stand, so will have to be moved down next to the pitch.

The Stadium of Light, where away fans currently have no pitch-side seating

Swansea City - No change. Away fans are situated within the North Stand, where fans can sit next to the pitch.

Tottenham - Changes would have to be made at White Hart Lane if this wasn't their last season at the ground, where away fans are currently separated from the pitch by home supporters.

Watford - No change. Away fans are situated in the Vicarage Road Stand, where fans can sit next to the pitch.

West Brom - No change. Away fans are situated in the Smethwick End, where fans can sit next to the pitch.

West Ham - No change. Away fans are currently seated in the upper and lower tiers.

See the view from Liverpool FC
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