(Picture: Action Images)
Brighton are the first Championship club to say they are looking into the possibility of installing safe standing.
The issue, which is a cause of much discussion between fans of all clubs, was first raised at a Football League meeting in 2014 and the EFL confirmed then that they were open to the idea of safe standing.
The FA more recently have also said they will open discussions with the government about the plausibility of a change in legislation that would allow the installation of safe standing at stadia across England.
Albion's chief executive Paul Barber told the club's website: “The Amex is currently one of the best and most modern all-seater stadia in Europe with an outstanding record for crowd behaviour and safety.
“Safe standing has not been high on our agenda simply because of the government legislation ruling against it, but there now appears to be more of an appetite for change and, if this proves to be the case, we want to fully understand the implications for our club and stadium as early as possible.
Some of the most famous examples of safe standing in football today are at Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park and Celtic's Celtic Park; two places Barber has visited as he and the Seagulls conduct their research.
He said: “Having personally experienced rail seating for a game at Borussia Dortmund, it is a very different experience to the terracing of old, but it does offer a safe alternative to those who wish to stand at football.
“Celtic's system is slightly different – it's one standing place replacing one seat – but it's something we want to look at further and, as a progressive club which puts the match day experience very high on our list of priorities for fans, we want to be well prepared for any changes which may come.
“An important part of this preparation and process is that we want to hear what our fans think.”
Rail-seating is the system of safe-standing that the EFl are looking into, and what club's in countries such as Germany and Austria use, as well as Celtic.
There is a safety barrier and a seat on every row, with seats locked into an upright position for games for which standing is permitted (For instance, UEFA competitions require seating for all spectators) and supporters stand between the barriers in the same space given to one seat.
If Brighton decide to install safe standing into part of the Amex, it could be a watershed moment for English football, but there are still a lot of implications along the way before a decision is made, such as the cost of installation and ticket pricing.
Similarly, regardless of the decision Brighton make on the issue, any installation is dependent on the Government.
Albion's safety officer Adrian Morris told the club's website: “It's impossible for the club to move forward, even if the economics worked and the local authority were supportive, until the government reaches a decision on whether it will change legislation.
“Even to reach a decision on whether it is a feasible option at the Amex won't happen quickly, neither will changes in government legislation, but one thing which will undoubtedly help any club who might wish to install safe standing in the future will be an exemplary safety record.”
