PREMIER LEAGUE clubs were urged to stop discriminating against disabled people by a Labour politician yesterday during a debate in the House of Lords.

Three out of the 20 Premier League clubs currently meet recommendations for the number of wheelchair spaces, with a Bill being brought forward by Richard Faulkner which would see clubs being unable to stage matches until the minimum guidelines were met.

Faulkner said: “I hope very much that the government and the football authorities in particular will appreciate the great support that exists in this House and outside for the principles underlying this short but necessary Bill.

“Its purpose is to create a civilised and safe environment for disabled people who want to watch sporting events at football and other stadiums.

“When a disabled person is denied access or provided with a lesser service, it is discrimination and exclusion in its worst form.

“If all Premier League players donated just one day’s pay, their clubs could reasonably improve their disabled fans’ facilities to meet at least football’s own minimum standards.

“It is time for effective regulation. That is why this Bill, or one drafted along these lines, is so urgently needed now.”

During a match at Old Trafford last season, an Arsenal fan in his 80s and two other supporters were refused entry into the stadium by a Manchester United steward because of their walking aides.

Intervention by the police allowed the fans to enter but their walking sticks and crutches were confiscated.

United currently have 120 wheelchair spaces at Old Trafford but a stadium that size should have 282.

On the debate, former wheelchair racer Tanni Grey-Thompson said: “Surely this has to be on the same page as racism, homophobia and all other forms of discrimination?

“When you exclude disabled people, you are being discriminatory.

“It was the fact that a really big, powerful, rich club is able to tell a family with a disabled son that they should perhaps go and support a smaller club like Stockport, which might be able to accommodate them.

“Those clubs do not deserve those fans, and that is why we should support this legislation.

“Some of the richest clubs are among the worst offenders in terms of access.”

Faulkner concluded the debate by saying: “The feeling is that using cost as an argument is completely unacceptable, particularly in a sport where the sums of money involved are absolutely eye-watering.

“Therefore to use cost as a way of not making progress is not a good argument.”