MPA in dual talks on fair payment for policing football games

06/03
17 January 2003

The Metropolitan Police Authority has agreed to ‘twin-track’ discussions in a bid to persuade football clubs to pay more towards the substantial costs of policing football matches.

In the financial year 2000/01 policing football games in London cost the Met £7.4 million in police staffing costs alone, but only £1.6 million was recovered from the clubs. Additional police costs included the provision of horses, accommodation, catering and transportation.

At a meeting of the Authority’s Finance Committee, MPA Members agreed to continue discussions with London clubs while also representing the Association of Police Authorities in new national discussions between the Home Office, the Football Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Graham Tope, Chair of the Finance Committee, said:

“Football clubs only pay towards the cost of policing inside their grounds, which covers nowhere near the overall costs.

“An independent review into income generation has estimated that £5 million in additional annual income could be achieved through cost recovery from the policing of football matches in London.

“The Authority’s discussions so far have been with the London Premier League clubs and we will continue to hold these, while at the same time participating in the national talks.

“Clubs pay towards policing matches through direct payments and council tax, but this is only a fraction of the true costs incurred. It is time that a more reasonable and even-handed solution is found.”

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