Soccer-UEFA to trial safe standing in England, Germany and France

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 15, 2022 General view of a safe standing seated area inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

(Reuters) - UEFA is launching a safe standing observer programme in its competitions for matches in England, Germany and France this season with a view of reintroducing it on a permanent basis, Europe's soccer governing body said on Wednesday.

While safe standing areas are becoming the norm at the domestic level, UEFA's current regulations do not permit it in its competitions after a ban following the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster.