Morning Leeds-in for 16 May: Safe standing efforts have backing of Leeds fans

To no one’s surprise, Leeds United fans have applauded efforts to introduce so called “safe standing” at Elland Road and back in the Football League.

The Leeds United Supporters Trust took part in a safe standing roadshow yesterday, and according to the Yorkshire Evening Post the measure has broad support:

When the Trust polled their members last year a whopping 97% who responded were in favour of its return and a recent petition, which will now see the subject debated in parliament, received over 111,000 signatures following sports minister Tracey Crouch’s refusal to approve West Bromich Albion’s request to introduce safe standing at the Hawthorns earlier this year.

Last month the EFL also issued its ‘Stand up for Choice’ questionnaire which set out with the aim of polling all supporters within the Football League over whether they would like to see standing return as an option to the English game.

Most fans want to bring back official standing to stadiums, and the “rail seating” seems to be a compromise that will help with safety. As most fans will tell you right now, a lot of fans stand almost throughout the entire match right now anyway, so “bringing back” standing will only add to the safety, as the rows of standing with seats is often dangerous.

Anyway, it makes sense to bring it back, so of course it won’t be allowed.

On to the links.

Leeds United Links

Season grade for Samu Saiz. [Through It All Together]

Pontus Jansson will be in the Sweden squad at the World Cup. [Through It All Together]

England and English Football Links

Chris Houghton signed a new deal that will keep him at Brighton & Hove Albion until 2021. [BBC.com]

Aston Villa are headed to Wembley after defeating Middlesbrough. [7500 To Holte]

Former Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers defender Jlloyd Samuel has passed away after a car accident. [7500 To Holte]

Watford FC file complaint over Everton’s links to Marco Silva, who they sacked earlier in the season. Can’t make this stuff up. [Sky Sports]

Both Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere are reportedly out of England’s World Cup squad. [BBC.com]

World Football Links

AC Milan Sporting Director Massimilliano Mirabelli has claimed that the arrival of former Liverpool and Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina does not mean that young keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will be on his way from Milan. Okay, sure, whatever. [AC Milan Offside]

Sporting CP players and staff were attacked by intruders at the team’s training ground. [The Guardian]