Posted on 6th January 2016
MPs yesterday called for the Government to fire up its “fan-led review” of football governance in a Parliamentary debate attended by sports minister Nigel Huddleston.
Sports minister admits ticket prices “frustrating”
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
The Sports Minister Tracey Crouch told MPs today that ticket prices, particularly in the Premier League, can be “frustrating”.
Appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Crouch was answering questions on a range of matters – including fan engagement, ticket prices and football governance reform.
Jason McCartney MP asked the Minister whether she was aware of the Twenty’s Plenty campaign and what the government would do if football clubs failed to make football more affordable.
“I am aware of the campaign,” Crouch told MPs. “We’ve been speaking to the Premier League, it’s a concern the Premier League shares. There has been real progress, particularly on away fans’ ticket prices.
“We have to remember that 25% [of fans] support a Premier League team, so there are plenty of opportunities to watch football outside the Premier League.
“It’s frustrating [price of Premier League tickets], but I think the Premier League is discussing these issues with the clubs.
“It would be difficult for Government to say to a football club, that is a business, often has shareholders, what prices their tickets should be.”
Crouch also confirmed that the Expert Working Group’s paper on fan engagement is expected to be published shortly. She added that supporter involvement was a matter for all clubs – from the Premier League right down through the lower leagues.
