West Ham United will look into installing safe standing in key areas at London Stadium as a peace gesture in their war with the fans.
Matchday experience and lack of atmosphere has been a huge criticism of the Hammers' home, which was originally built to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
Hierarchy Aiming to Appease Hammers Supporters
West Ham United's London Stadium.
The bowl-like shape and wide open spaces of an arena constructed to house track and field events has been a long-standing complaint by match-going West Ham United supporters.
Following a meeting with pressure groups in the past 10 days, the Hammers board has agreed to launch a feasibility study into providing rail seating at the 62,500-capacity stadium.
Some rail-seating already exists in the upper tier of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand at West Ham’s ground, but it is a long way from the pitch.
Fans are not supposed to stand up during games at all-seater grounds as it is considered dangerous. All-seat stadia were introduced by Law into English football in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster that killed 97 Liverpool fans. But it is allowed if the seats have protective barriers in front of them.
In the new year, West Ham will look into constructing more rail seating in the lower tiers at both ends of the ground in a bid to generate more noise during home games. It is the latest move by the Hammers' hierarchy to stem the growing anti-board sentiment that is overshadowing the season.
The east Londoners won their first home game since February on Sunday, with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United. Even so, several thousand people stayed behind as part of a sit-in protest to demand the resignation of chairman David Sullivan and his vice-chair Karren Brady.
There have been match boycotts and marches to voice discontent at the way West Ham is being run. Despite last weekend’s win, the Hammers remain in the bottom three of the Premier League.
They face fellow strugglers Burnley this Saturday, when the latest protest march is scheduled to take place in the run-up to the 3pm kick-off.
Around 20,000 West Ham supporters stayed away from last month’s 2-0 home defeat by Brentford. A protest rally was staged before the game against Crystal Palace earlier in the season.
Some fans are concerned that transfer policy, ticket pricing and the general running of their club is heading for disaster under Sullivan, who took over in 2010. But since then, West Ham have won their first major trophy in 43 years with the 2023 UEFA Conference League triumph.