Level Playing Field would like to express disappointment at the news that Manchester United are set to miss the Premier League pledge to achieve Accessible Stadia minimum standards by August 2017.
The club have confirmed that whilst Old Trafford will have the infrastructure in place to achieve the minimum standards required by the deadline, they will be using a phased approach to minimise the disruption caused by relocating existing season ticket holders. It is anticipated that all planned wheelchair user spaces will be in full use by the 2020/21 season.
Responding to the statement, Tony Taylor, Chair of Level Playing Field said:
“Manchester United – the world’s richest football club – should rightfully be in the vanguard of change and best practice when it comes to accessibility. We congratulate the club for the improvements that are being made and we understand, of course, that for those long term season ticket holders at Old Trafford who face relocation it will be a difficult process.
However, we believe Manchester United should be praising its fans for supporting the provision of spaces for wheelchair users. Surely, consideration must be given for the disabled fans who have never seen their team play at Old Trafford because of a lack of availability of tickets for wheelchair users. It must also be stressed that the planned increase in wheelchair user spaces are spaces that have been owed to disabled fans for over 20 years.”
Read: Manchester United Statement
The Premier League pledged in August 2015 that within two years all its clubs would meet the minimum standards set out in Accessible Stadia.
Accessible Stadia: The Accessible Stadia guide was published in 2003 and sets out the minimum standards for delivering accessible facilities that is required of sports venues. https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/sites/default/files/contentfiles/accessible_stadia.pdf
Premier League Accessibility Pledge: The Premier League pledged in August 2015 that all of its member clubs would fully comply with Accessible Stadia minimum standards by August 2017. https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/news/breaking-news-premier-league-and-its-clubs-pledge-meet-accessible-stadia-standards-2017
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