How football clubs must change to meet the needs of disabled fans

This article examines the legal obligations on football clubs to provide disabled people with access and services at their stadia. It also looks at what clubs can and should be doing to meet these obligations. Particular focus is given to Premier League clubs given their profile. Specifically, the article examines:

• The current problems – the findings of the Government’s recent Report on the Accessibility of Sports Stadia;
  
  
• The law on disability discrimination in the UK – most notably the obligation on service providers (inc. football clubs) under the Equality Act 2010 to make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure disabled persons aren’t placed at a “substantial disadvantage”;
  
  
• What constitutes being placed at a “substantial disadvantage” in the context of football games? – A look at the relevant test;
  
  
• What constitutes a “reasonable adjustment” for football clubs to make in the context of their stadia?
  
  
• What clubs are currently failing to do and what they should be doing to ensure compliance with the law;
  
  
• The legal risks for clubs failing to comply with their obligations – disciplinary action and litigations risks; and
  
  
• Authors’ comment.