Premier League face the threat of losing sponsors over clubs' inadequate provision for disabled fans

The Premier League will today face calls in the House of Lords for major sponsors to reconsider their relationship with football unless more is done to address the “glacial” progress of provision for disabled fans.

Lord Chris Holmes, a Conservative peer and a nine-times Paralympic gold medallist, is due to speak during a parliamentary debate and describe the situation as a “national scandal”. He also intends to reveal new details of incidents that “should make football ashamed and show attitudes at some clubs are still stuck in the dark ages”.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport earlier this year, just three out of the 20 Premier League clubs currently meet recommendations for the number of wheelchair spaces.

A private members’ bill is now being brought by the Labour peer, Lord Richard Faulkner, that would mean Premier League clubs losing their safety licence and being unable to stage matches unless they meet these minimum guidelines.

Lord Holmes will today write to major sponsors and ask whether, without change, it is ethical for their brand to be associated with the national game.

^{Swansea are one of the only clubs to provide sufficient space for disabled fans}

He will also outline several incidents at Premier League grounds this year. They include how, before Steven Gerrard’s farewell match at Anfield, a group of Liverpool fans blocked the view for disabled supporters of the celebration by unveiling a banner in front of them. When the disabled fans asked a steward for help, another fan was alleged to say: “F*** off. I will punch your lights out. We will get all you wheelchairs out of this ground for good. I'm going to put you in the ground.”

The incident is now the subject of a criminal complaint. Liverpool confirmed that they had reported the incident and cooperated fully with the police's ongoing investigation. Liverpool currently have 115 wheelchair spaces, rising to 193 when the Main Stand redevelopment is complete at Anfield.

The minimum guideline for a stadium of its size is 220. As revealed previously by the Telegraph, an Arsenal fan in his 80s, as well as two other supporters, were also told that they could not enter Old Trafford in May by a Manchester United steward because they had walking aides.

^{A group of disabled fans were abused for blocking the view of Gerrard's farewell}

After the intervention of police, they were eventually allowed to watch the game but only after their walking stick and crutches were confiscated. A statement from a police liaison officer questioned a complete lack of “common sense” by the stewards.

“To say they were unhelpful would be an understatement,” he wrote.

“The steward’s attitude and their lack of helpfulness were astounding.” Manchester United have 120 wheelchair spaces at Old Trafford. The minimum guideline for a stadium of its size is 282.

A Chelsea disabled fan, who was too scared to be named, has also been in contact with Lord Holmes and said that “the club never seems to have a problem in moving fans to make way for new hospitality and media spaces”.

Chelsea currently have 127 wheelchair spaces but say that they “keep our disabled facilities at Stamford Bridge under continual review to see what improvements can be made”. The minimum guideline for a stadium of its size is 215. Many Premier League clubs cite the age of their stadium for the difficulty in meeting guidelines but, as well as legislation, clubs have also been warned that they are facing the threat of legal action over complaints of discriminatory practices.

^{Richard Scudamore is commited to addressing the issue}

“Poor access and discrimination against disabled fans has tarnished the reputation of football for too long,” Lord Holmes will today say.

“Unless action is taken soon to address the glacial speed of progress, major sponsors should think long and hard about whether it remains ethical to continue their relationship. The time for the same old feeble excuses has passed, particularly hiding behind the age of stadiums to explain inaction.

“When there is a need to bring in new technology, more camera positions, space for different rights holders, changes are made in a trice. Many stadiums have been virtually rebuilt from the inside out.

It's time for Premier League clubs to show leadership and stop treating disabled fans like second class citizens. The need for football to discover its moral compass has never been greater.”

Premier League clubs have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure reasonable adjustment for disabled fans and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has received a number of complaints in recent months.

Richard Scudamore, the executive chairman of the Premier League, this morning told Telegraph Sport that his organisation was working with the EHRC to see what reasonable adjustments could be made and acknowledged that it was an issue where improvements must be made.

“Clubs are working to identify scope for improvement of disabled supporter access in their grounds,” added a Premier League spokesman.

“This is not a safety issue, but about working to enhance facilities and access for disabled fans, with a focus on the clubs with older facilities assessing what further reasonable adjustments can be achieved.”