Sheffield Wednesday told Hillsborough’s safety certificate changed to include capacity reduction

Sheffield Wednesday have been told that Hillsborough’s safety certificate has now been changed to include a reduction in capacity, and that they must go to court to overturn the decision if improvements are not made to ensure the safety of the fans.

Sheffield City Council have informed the League One club that the certificate they issued last summer now includes a 1,000 spectator reduction at the Leppings Lane end, and that it applies to all future matches.

This comes after the council’s Security Advisory Group (SAG) conducted a review following concerns raised by Newcastle fans who reported overcrowding and crushing during an FA Cup tie on January 7. The SAG concluded that the capacity of Leppings Lane should be reduced from 4,700 to 3,700.

On Wednesday he disputed the council’s request this week on the grounds that they did not breach his safety certificate, insisting that full capacity must be restored.

However, the council have now told Sportsmail that the certificate they issued before the start of this season is no longer valid in its original form and the club has three options. They can accept the reduction, challenge it in court, or enter into a discussion whereby they present evidence that the stadium modifications are safe and demonstrate how they will be managed.

Newcastle fans (pictured) raised concerns about overcrowding during their FA Cup tie

Packed up: Newcastle fans at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough

If the council is satisfied that the necessary improvements have been implemented, the safety certificate could be further amended to allow for the capacity of 4,700.

News of a temporary capacity reduction only broke this week when Newcastle requested and published the results of the SAG review. Head coach Eddie Howe read out some of the fan witness statements that were brought into evidence.

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Asked if he found his accounts distressing, he said: ‘Absolutely, especially with the story attached to the stadium. That was very worrying to me. We owed it to our supporters to push to reveal the findings. If there’s anything to be learned from our experience in that game, to help the fans in the future, then it’s a must.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah will ask a parliamentary question on the transparency of issues surrounding the safety of fans. He was concerned to learn that the Newcastle application was needed for the SAG findings to be in the public domain.

Ms Onwurah told Sportsmail: ‘The fact that Newcastle had to ask for the minutes of the security review meeting is unacceptable. Security has to be transparent. Otherwise, you have no confidence.

‘Some of my constituents got in touch in January and expressed concern for their safety in Hillsborough. They were scared. I raised two parliamentary questions in January and was told the matter was being investigated.

“Then I was pleased with the recommendations to improve security in the stadium, but I am concerned that the decision to reduce capacity has been questioned. I raise my concerns again.

“This is not an attack on Sheffield Wednesday or their fans, this is about ensuring transparency, accountability and the safety of all supporters.”

Former Wednesday captain Don Megson, who made 442 appearances for the club between 1959 and 1970, has died aged 86.