02 February 2023 , 11:00
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Wembley will have safe standing for the first time at a major final in nearly 35 years for the Carabao Cup final.
EFL bosses have confirmed that Manchester United and Newcastle United will both get 867 tickets each within special new standing areas at the stadium.
It is a huge moment for the English game after lengthy trials within the Premier League and EFL with the cup final now getting the go-ahead. The return of safe standing is also likely to pave the way for similar standing areas at the FA Cup semi final and final later this season.
Standing and terraces were removed from top flight English football in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 when tragically 97 people died and it led to all seater stadia.
But there has always been a push for the return of standing areas but with each space having a seat, a rail on each row and the licensing authorities believe it makes stadiums safer.
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The Sports Ground Safety Authority also believe from a security point of view it will help amid the recent surge in crowd trouble as it makes fans easier to identify and the rails make it safer during goal celebrations.
The new special standing areas also prevents fans from falling forward while supporters must remain seated in all other parts of the stadium.
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England trialled a section of safe standing for their clash with Germany in the Nations League (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Tottenham installed safe standing rails in their £1billion stadium while Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all taken part in trials.
The “safe standing” areas have been championed in the Bundesliga and English football have been careful to handle the issue sensitively because of the Hillsborough tragedy. Liverpool have rails installed at Anfield but to date have yet to apply for a licence.
Football supporter groups, the Government and licensing authorities have pushed for a return to safe standing and Mirror Sport reported last July they were planning to bring it in to Wembley this season. The tickets will be sold by the respective clubs in line with the cup final ticketing policy.