Football clubs across Britain must urgently redress the
"woeful" lack of facilities for disabled fans at many stadiums, says
a government minister.
Mike Penning, the disabilities minister, has written to
every professional club in the country to highlight their legal obligations.
"I'm blowing the whistle on discrimination against disabled people by
football bosses," said Penning. The Premier League says its clubs aim to
provide good disabled facilities. "All Premier League clubs have
arrangements in place to provide access and facilities for disabled fans,"
read a statement. "The highest standards of access are generally at clubs
with new grounds, but all clubs, even those working within the constraints of
older stadia, work hard to make sure that disabled fans can attend matches and
enjoy their football." Penning has confirmed he wants to meet Football
Association chairman Greg Dyke about the issue. Only last month, a BBC report
revealed that only three Premier League stadiums provide the required number of
wheelchair spaces.
Joyce Cook, chair of Level Playing Field, formerly known as the National Association of
Disabled Supporters, added: "The experience of disabled football fans
varies across the country. That's not acceptable and it's time all football
clubs took their legal obligations seriously."
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