The English Premier League has revealed that at least three of its clubs are at risk of missing out on a self-imposed deadline of improving facilities for disabled spectators.
Bournemouth, Chelsea and Watford are in danger of failing to fulfil a pledge to meet standards by August of this year, the league said.
Bournemouth has 195 spaces for disabled fans, but they are not up to the required standard. Chelsea and Watford have 128 and 61 spaces, respectively – below the required number of 214 and 153 at their stadia.
Burnley, Middlesbrough and Hull City, which were all promoted to the league last year, were given until 2018 to meet the guidelines.
The league said that clubs have been “working hard on delivery” since a 2014 report by UK public-service broadcaster the BBC found that 17 of the 20 top-tier clubs did not provide enough wheelchair spaces.
“The improvements undertaken are unprecedented in scope, scale and timing by any group of sports grounds or other entertainment venues in the UK,” the league said. “Given the differing ages and nature of stadia, some clubs have, and continue to face, significant challenges. For those clubs, cost is not a determining factor.
“They are working through issues relating to planning, how to deal with new stadium development plans, how to best manage fan disruption or, in cases where clubs don’t own their own grounds, dealing with third parties. Clubs deserve credit for committing to and delivering the extensive work detailed in this interim report.”
However, campaigners have insisted there is much more work to be done.
“The time for excuses is over,” said David Isaac, chair of the government’s Equality and Human Rights Commission. “The 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.
“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.”
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