Safety certificate doubts over Hillsborough stand

The North Stand at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground could be closed for the start of the football season after the city council warned it may not be able to approve the safety certificate necessary for it to be used by fans.

The club has been told to carry out repair works after "extensive corrosion" was found in the roof of the stand.

Minutes from a meeting of Sheffield City Council's safety advisory group in June warn that the authority will not be "in a position to approve the continuance of the existing general safety certificate" until the works are completed.

A spokesperson for Sheffield Wednesday told the meeting that the club was "committed to beginning the work immediately".

The minutes, seen by the BBC, said there was "currently no professional reassurance as to the safety of the North Stand structure".

A report said corrosion had been observed in the "main steel roof trusses" of the structure and work could include the replacement of some of the steel beams.

The club also asked the English Football League (EFL) for an away fixture on the first day of the new season, to give them more time to fix the problem, the documents said.

Sheffield Wednesday's first game of the season will be away at Leicester on 10 August, with the first home game on 16 August.

Hillsborough has a capacity of 34,835 and the North Stand has dedicated space for disabled fans, with 54 wheelchair spaces and seating for up to 360 disabled supporters.

Every football ground with a capacity of more than 10,000 people needs a safety certificate in order to operate.

According to the minutes of the meeting, the club had already been in discussions with contractors about repair work on the North Stand.

The works could "potentially continue during the season in between fixtures," a club spokesperson told the council.

Joe Otten, chair of the environmental services and regulation policy committee at Sheffield City Council, said the safety advisory group had met with Sheffield Wednesday representatives.

"As the certifying authority, we carry out our duties in working with organisations to make sure that they meet the requirements of the safety certificate that we issue to them," he said.

"It's vital for all of them to make sure that they provide a safe sports ground."

He said the group would meet again on Friday, when the club is expected to provide an update on repair work.

Sheffield Wednesday and the EFL have been approached for a comment.

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