Top football clubs have been accused of penalising disabled fans by forcing them to dial premium rate phonelines to arrange access to stadiums.
Outfits including Premier League giants Crystal Palace and West Brom, as well as Championship sides Millwall and Queens Park Rangers, are among those charging disabled fans up to 78p per minute from a mobile to speak to specialist staff.
Labour’s shadow spokeswoman for disabled people, Marsha de Cordova, said:
“It’s scandalous. Many disabled fans would not be able to support the clubs they love without this specialist support. Charging up to 78p a minute is simply not acceptable.”
And David Hickson of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, which uncovered the scandal, said: “It’s unfair to penalise disabled fans.”
West Brom advertise a direct number on their club website for their disability access officer, but the 087 code used will set fans back 78p per minute. Crystal Palace told us their disability liaison officer could also be called on a local rate number. Other clubs did not respond.
Queens Park Rangers and Millwall charge disabled supporters 62p per minute to ring an 084 number to arrange wheelchair access.
Others using the pricey numbers include Southend and Scottish side Hibernian.
