Level Playing Field responds to Premier League Interim Report

Level Playing Field today welcomes the interim report on the Premier League Clubs’ progress towards meeting the 2017 pledge. You can read the full report here.

We are pleased to note that four clubs already meet the minimum number of wheelchair user spaces required (Leicester City, Manchester City, Swansea City and West Ham United) and we are delighted that a further 7 clubs have announced that they will meet the Accessible Stadia criteria within the required timescale – this includes the three newly promoted clubs (Burnley, Hull City and Middlesbrough) who have an additional year to comply.

We congratulate those clubs who will meet the pledge , but we express our disappointment that other clubs will not be achieving their self-imposed commitment to make changes by 2017.

Tony Taylor, Chair of Level Playing Field, commented: “We welcome the report and the good progress being made towards meeting Accessible Stadia, in line with the promise made by the Clubs back in 2015. We are concerned, though, that a significant number of clubs will fall short of their promise to have accessible stadia. Disabled fans have, for years, shown their dedication and support for their clubs and it is now high time for Premier League clubs to reciprocate by showing their commitment to promoting true equality for disabled fans. We often hear the words ‘reasonable adjustments’ being used in the context of the pledge – ‘reasonable adjustments’ are not aspirational, but are legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010.”

Level Playing Field will continue to work diligently to support the Clubs and work towards greater access for all disabled fans.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued the following statement, in response to the report:

Premier League disabled access: the time for excuses is over

Commenting on the Premier League’s report on accessibility progress at football grounds, David Isaac, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said;

“Disabled fans give their money to their club just like everyone else. They buy the shirts and loyally support their teams. Premier League promised that disabled access would be improved by the start of next season so it is disappointing that a number of clubs will fail to meet that deadline. The time for excuses is over.”

“Clubs need to urgently demonstrate to us what they are doing to ensure they are compliant with the law and how they are making it easier for disabled fans to attend matches. If they don’t they will face legal action.”