I did the tour a year ago was told something very similar but I prefer my version; she said it was for when we get in Europe as UEFA send lots of officials/delegates! :D
Still strange, you would think they would fill them in and sell match day tickets, not ST's, so they wouldn't have to throw...
By making the South and North stands safe standing, it would at least double their size and would be minimal cost and probably could be done over the summer.. :)