Official Statement re Standing at East End Park

Safety of fans is paramount

No Standing Area within East End Park

Dunfermline Athletic Football Club have again confirmed that there will not be a standing area within East End Park.  Kenny Arnott, DAFC Stadium Manager -explained:-

 "Our Ground Regulations which are displayed throughout the stadium and on our website clearly state that fans are forbidden to stand within our Stadium.All matchesplayed at East End Park must be done so in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Football League and where applicable the Regulations of FIFA/UEFA Competitions."

We think that fans have to remember why seating was introduced at East End Park and throughout all SPL Clubs and it was very much from a safety point of view."

DAFC have confirmed the additional reasons we can not have a standing area at East End Park.

1.DAFC were originally within the SPL when the regulations were introduced regarding all seated stadiums and as such it is DAFC's aim to get back into the SPL. DAFC need to ensure that the Stadium remains all seated.

2.Although SFL regulations do allow for standing areas these apply to clubs which have not achieved SPL status previously.

3.The cost implication of introducing a standing area is excessive as it is not simply a case of pulling up the seats as the Seating row depth is 660 mm but a Standing row depth is a maximum of 400 mm. This is the Legal requirement as stated within the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.This would result in DAFC having to pay a substantial amount of money to not only pull out the seats but to demolish the steps within this area and get them rebuilt to the correct dimensions, plus new crush and safety barriers would have to be installed.

Bill Hodgins, DAFC Chief Executive and Board Member added  "I am sure that any fan would rather we invest the amount of money required to change the North West Stand, or any part of the stadium to a Standing area, in quality players on the park who will give us a better chance of a speedier return to the SPL.Given the current economic climate DAFC simply do not have the cash to alter any part of the stadium and any money we do have is being invested in the squad on the park and our Youth Development.

"We have now had a number of complaints from our Season Ticket Holders about not being able to see because of the fans who continue to stand and it is spoiling their game. Where we can identify persistent offenders they will not be admitted into the ground.

"Given the problems that the Police encountered at Saturday's game with fans refusing to sit within our North West Stand there is now a real possibility that the club will face greatly increased costs per game in regards to increased Stewarding and Policing - which is frustrating given that Kenny our Stadium Manager has been working hard to reduce these costs this season. "

Inspector Ian Campbell, Match Commander at the Morton Game commented that the behaviour of a small minority of Dunfermline fans was unfortunate and did not reflect the behaviour of the majority of Dunfermline fans that had attended the Match. The behaviour of this minority had clear safety and crowd control issues and would not be tolerated.The ground rules are quite clear and those that refuse to sit down, as requested by the stewards would be asked to leave.If that behaviour then continued then the Police would intercede. It would best if this small group adopted the good behaviour of the rest of the Dunfermline support."