Clubs fail on disabled standards

Wigan's JJB Stadium was rated 9/10 in a 5 Live report

Just two Premier League clubs provide enough spaces for disabled fans, according to a survey by the National Association of Disabled Supporters.

Only Bolton and Blackburn meet the recommended spacing requirements outlined by the association, although Arsenal come close with 96%.

Tottenham, Portsmouth and Fulham fall short with less than a third of the required space at their grounds.

It is estimated 30,000 disabled fans regularly attend matches in England.

The National Association of Disabled Supporters (Nads) laid out their recommendations in their Accessible Stadia Guide in 2003, which was endorsed by the Premier League and the Football Association.

Clubs should now be moving towards reconciling disabled seating supply and demand National Association of Disabled Supporters

However, the majority of top-flight clubs are failing to meet the required wheelchair spaces four years on.

A report by 5 Live drew responses from Chelsea, Portsmouth and Fulham with Chelsea, who provide less than half the required seating, pointing out that they provide free tickets for disabled fans at home matches.

Portsmouth said they would aim to increase their capacity for wheelchair spaces should they move to a new ground in the future.

A Fulham statement said: "Fulham Football Club has recently received approval by the local authority for planning consent to redevelop areas of the ground.

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"The club will continue to investigate ways in which improvements can be made to the current facilities at Craven Cottage for all of our supporters.

"This is in-line with the club's guiding principle of providing a 'Best in Class' service and to be inclusive to all fans."

However, a Nads statement said: "Nads feels that is important that clubs meet these demands whether they are in the business of building new facilities or not.

"Nads believes that clubs should now be moving towards reconciling disabled seating supply and demand and the guidelines.

"It may be that with the pressures exerted by owners and shareholders to maximise profits, the only way forward will be through government intervention and clear legislation."