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Attendance of Babes in Arms at Football Matches

In response to a question concerning whether infants or young children sitting on an adult’s lap should count towards the permitted capacity of the stand concerned, the FLA advised that a child was a spectator, irrespective of its age and should therefore count towards the total.

If the child is old enough to occupy a seat it should be allocated one. If it will clearly remain on an adult’s lap at all times, it need not be allocated a seat. However, in order to prevent the permitted capacity being exceeded, a seat somewhere in the area concerned should not be sold.

We also advised that it would be desirable that the safety officer and the stewards in the area concerned were made aware of the presence of a babe in arms in case an emergency should arise.

Beyond that, the FLA has been content to leave it to clubs to determine (subject to the approval of the certifying authority) whether to admit young children, if so to what areas and whether to make any charge. There are clearly parts of the ground, for example well-equipped and supervised family areas, that are more suitable for children than others, for example those immediately behind the goal. In each case the club should make a risk assessment, having regard to the risk of injury to the child, to the likelihood of obstruction in the event of an evacuation, the quality and location of the area concerned and whether the child can be taken somewhere safe if it becomes restless or fractious.

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