"Coventry City Football Club needs to make supporters aware of forthcoming issues, which could see capacities at Highfield Road and at away grounds reduced this season for our supporters.
Notices will be distributed at the ground to highlight the threat of action against the Club if supporters who continually stand at Highfield Road do not stop doing so.
At present, the law states that if seats are provided in a designated stadium then football supporters must use them and this is also in line with Coventry City’s ground regulations.
While the Club reserves the right to ask supporters who persistently stand throughout matches to leave, it does not wish to resort to such measures or to seek any confrontation between stewards and supporters.
Last season, a survey of all Premier League and Football League clubs was carried out on behalf of the Football Licensing Authority, and those clubs whose supporters persistently stand have been contacted to see what actions are being taken to enforce the law and ground regulations.
If clubs are not seen to be taking sufficient action the licensing authority can reduce capacity, particularly in areas where a majority of fans stand for prolonged spells of games.
Coventry City Safety Officer Bob Rankin is appealing to Sky Blues supporters to take these warnings seriously.
"I am well aware that football is an emotive sport and we are not appealing to those supporters who stand up during exciting moments. It is a natural human reaction to stand up at those times and we do not want fans to think they have to stay seated for 90 minutes. I am however concerned at a small minority of supporters who persistently stand – and this is predominantly in the West Terrace – because their actions can result in a reduction in capacity in those areas and this can lead to a loss in gate income for the club. These actions have been taken at other grounds and it will undoubtedly happen here if fans who stand throughout matches do not stop."
The Safety Advisory Group Chairman, David Giles says all clubs will be under close scrutiny this season.
"The Local Authority, as the relevant safety authority for the club, will continue to monitor the situation at Highfield Road when the new football season is underway. The council supports the club in the steps it is taking to try to address the problem of persistent standing and hopes that the action outlined will not have to take place"
Similar warnings are also being made to supporters who travel to away games and stand persistently- those clubs will see a reduction in capacity in away sections. While this may not sound like it directly effects Coventry fans, Bob Rankin explains that supporters should think ahead.
"If another teams’ ground had the capacity of their away section reduced for Coventry City supporters then it could effect the number of Coventry fans allowed to attend. If we went on to draw them in a cup competition then some of our loyal travelling support may be unable to get tickets."
The following statement has been made in support of the Club’s efforts to tackle persistent standing by Mark Trevorrow of the Sky Blue Trust, Jonathan Strange of the Coventry City London Supporters Club and John Haddon of Coventry City Supporters Club:
"The Sky Blue Trust, Coventry City Supporters Club and Coventry City London Supporters Club fully support the club in this initiative and we urge all City fans to sit down at games. The Football Licensing Authority is in a position to restrict the allocation of tickets in home areas and for our supporters at away games if supporters continue to stand".
However, if you are forced to sit down at a game and suffer an injury because of this. You are advised to inform the stewards and club officials immediately and make sure that it is reported in their accident book. If possible,get the names and addresses of any witnesses before seeking medical attention. Take photographs of your injury and if the injuries sustained cause you to lose time off work or incure expenses then seek legal advice.