West Brom give nod to safe-standing trial

(Reuters) - West Bromwich Albion have responded positively to the Premier League's letter asking the 20 teams about their interest in re-introducing standing sections in stadiums on a trial basis, the club's director of operations Mark Miles has said. English clubs are legally required to have all-seater stadiums since the 1990 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster recommended the change but the league's governing body is keen on re-opening discussions about the matter. "I have written back to the Premier League and told them our position remains that we would be very keen to be involved in a pilot," Miles said in a statement on the club's website (www.wba.co.uk). "It is the same message I have delivered verbally at previous meetings." Miles believes legislation regarding seating arrangements can be changed if there is proof that it is a safe option for supporters. "As I have made clear from the outset, this is something football will not be able to introduce without a change of legislation and that can't happen unless it is proven to provide a safer option for fans to watch games," Miles added. (Reporting by Aditi Prakash in Bengaluru)