Burnley opens safe standing for Premier League clash

The section has capacity to hold more than 1,500 people

Burnley FC has introduced safe standing across a section of its Turf Moor stadium.

The section has capacity to hold more than 1,500 people in the ground's Barnfield Construction Stand, which hosts both home and away fans.

The Clarets will welcome Newcastle United for a 15:00 BST kick-off on Saturday.

The club said the positions had been installed over the last couple of weeks "to help boost the already amazing atmosphere".

Safety criteria

"The seating has been brought in after listening to you and further consultation with the Fan Advisory Board," the club said.

"Emails have been sent out to all the fans in that area whose seating has changed."

Newcastle United’s Supporters’ Trust advised fans to arrive early for the match to avoid any hold-ups.

“Those in this section will be allocated wristbands on arrival to avoid congestion in these areas,” it said.

In 2022, the government confirmed safe standing could be introduced in the Premier League and Championship from the start of the 2022-23 season.

However, strict criteria around safety must be met to achieve a licence.

These include increased CCTV capability and advanced steward training.

Previously, in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, clubs in the top two divisions were required to have all-seater stadiums.

Clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City had taken part in a pilot study during the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.