English Premier League clubs have been told they can apply to use safe standing areas from the start of the 2022-23 season.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham took part in a safe-standing pilot in the second half of last season, with second-tier Cardiff also joining the experiment.

The scheme proved successful, and the UK government has given the green light for all clubs in the Premier League and Championship to request a safe standing license.

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"Thanks to a robust trial, thorough evidence and modern engineering, we are now ready to allow standing once again in our grounds," UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said.

"We are not reintroducing terraces, and only clubs which meet strict safety criteria will be permitted."

Brentford, Wolves and second-tier QPR will offer designated standing areas for home and away fans in the coming season, with other clubs expected to apply.

The government confirmed Wembley would offer limited safe standing for fans at domestic matches later in the season.

UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston had said he was "minded" to offer the option to all Premier League and Championship clubs on the back of interim findings from independent research on the pilot.

Hillsborough legacy

The pilot marked the end of a blanket ban on standing in the top two tiers of English football which had been in place for more than 25 years.

Clubs had been required to provide all-seated accommodation since August 1994 in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans were killed in crushing on over-crowded terraces before an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

The first inquest ruled the deaths "accidental," but the Hillsborough families disputed the findings. A second coroner's inquest, which concluded in 2016, ruled that the supporters were unlawfully killed due to grossly negligent failures by police and ambulance services. Despite this ruling, no one has been held legally accountable for the disaster. 

It is understood Liverpool is not considering introducing safe standing for next season but may extend or increase their existing rail seating provision, having run a separate club pilot last season.

"Based upon what I have experienced and we have learned through the pilot program, safe standing is set to deliver an electric atmosphere at our football stadiums," Huddleston said.

"Fans have long campaigned for its introduction and we have worked carefully with supporters' groups, including the families affected by the tragic Hillsborough disaster."

Standing has long been accommodated in German football stadiums, while safe standing has been introduced to stadiums in Spain.