West Bromwich Albion have told talkSPORT it could now be years before a safe standing area is installed at a Premier League ground, after their application was rejected by the government.
The club have asked the Sports Ground Safety Authority to urgently review the "short-sighted" decision.
Director of Operations Mark Miles insisted improving safety is their only consideration.
Mr Miles said: "Ultimately that's what we are trying to do here. We are being prevented from making it safer for football supporters."
He received a letter from Sports Minister Tracey Crouch at the end of last week but it did not explain why she had rejected West Brom's request.