CMS Committee ‘not convinced’ Premier League will sanction clubs failing disabled access guidelines
The parliamentary committee that scrutinises British sport has claimed it is “not convinced” the Premier League will take suitable action against its clubs that fail to make their stadiums more accessible to disabled people.
As a result, the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee’s Accessibility of Sport Stadia report recommends that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) “start legal proceeding” against the Premier League clubs that don’t adhere to the Accessible Stadia Guide.
“The Premier League told us that it would consider imposing sanctions on clubs that fail to improve sufficient accessibility,” said the report.
“Given 20 years of comparative inactivity by the football leagues, we are not convinced that the Premier League would impose suitable penalties on clubs, even for failing to meet building regulations.”
The CMS Committee has presided over a number of evidence hearing about the state of sports stadiums for disabled supporters.
In 2015, the Premier League made the commitment that all 20 of its clubs would be compliant with the Accessible Stadia Guide by the start of the 2017/18 season.
But during a hearing with Level Playing Field chair Joyce Cook, the committee found out that at least eight clubs were not expected to complete agreed improvements by the deadline.
Cook said the situation was “worrying” and “obscene”.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch has also endorsed the use of legal action by the EHRC for clubs not adhering to the specifications.
Damian Collins, chair of the CMS Committee, said it was “especially disappointing” that “some of the rich clubs are not doing more”.
He added that not making stadiums fit for use for disabled people was a “reputational risk” for sports clubs and “one sponsors would have to take seriously”.
“Sports fans with disabilities are not asking for a large number of expensive changes – only to have their needs taken into account in the way sports stadia are designed and operated,” said Collins.
“It is high time that sports clubs, especially for example those with plenty of resources as in football’s Premier League, change their mindset. This isn’t really about money, it’s about the will to do it.”
Premier League accessibility stadiums sportSports minister backs EHRC to use legal powers against sports clubs with unaccessible stadiums
Champion for disabled sports fans joins SGSA board
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From Nobu Restaurants and Ian Schrager’s latest hotel to Imagination Playgrounds and the set design for The Rocky Horror Show, US architect and designer David Rockwell always keeps it fresh. He tells us the secrets of his creativity