Newcastle will be forced to relocate away fans from next season meaning West Ham fans will no longer have to sit in the gods climbing up fourteen flights of stairs. Under new rules set to come in, top-flight clubs must locate some visiting supporters at pitchside level. League and TV bosses believe such placement leads to a better atmosphere and a better entertainment product on the screen.
Newly promoted Newcastle have been given year’s dispensation from the Premier League, while other clubs will have also to move away fans to comply.
Premier League chief Richard Scudamore explained the reasoning behind the new policy when it was announced earlier this year.
‘It’s about atmosphere,’ he said. ‘One of the unique things about our game, particularly in England, is the amount of away fans and the noise they create. When an away goal is scored, you want that atmosphere and interaction between the two sets of fans.’
