Premier League: Sports Minister rejects WBA's plans for a "safe-standing section" at the Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion have had their application for a "safe-standing section" test rejected by the Government. "Tracey Crouch MP, the Minister for Sport, has ruled out the idea confirming there are no plans to change the all-seater policy at football stadia," said West Bromwich Albion (Premier League), on 09/04/2018. 

"The Baggies had offered to run a pilot scheme in the Smethwick End (of the Hawthorns, 27,000 capacity) for both home and away fans and made a formal application in October 2017 to install the section this summer in readiness for the 2018/19 campaign," said the club.

"The decision has been described as both 'surprising' and 'disappointing' by the man who has led Albion's initiative, director of operations Mark Miles, who has written back to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority urging a review," added the Birmingham club.