Six Premier League clubs facing huge bills hike as police chief calls on teams to help cover costs

LONDON’S six Prem clubs could face extra bills next season – from the Metropolitan Police.

Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says it is time clubs stumped up to help cover the £18.5m annual cost.

PA

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says London clubs must help with police costs around the stadium[/caption]

Getty

Some category C games (with increased risk) in London will have around 150 police on duty[/caption]

This means Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham, Chelsea, Brentford and West Ham could all be asked to cough up millions to help fund policing duties for fixtures.

Sir Mark, talking to LBC, said: “Last year, 2023, policing football in London cost us £18.5 million, that the Premier League don’t pay for.

“If you wanted to help the police out with people paying for the policing they draw out of communities, that’d be a more powerful example.

“Arsenal, Chelsea and the others do not pay for our officers on the street.

“There’s a very narrow legal framework, which says that they only pay for the officers who go into the ground.

“All of those officers managing stuff around the ground come out of our budget.

“There are very few officers in the grounds.

“But all the ones outside on horses, all dealing with disorder before and afterwards, around train stations, etc, that adds up to £18.5million last year, not paid for.”

Reuters

A heavy police presence was needed at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea hosted Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last year[/caption]

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In October, SunSport reported that Premier League chiefs were planning to pay £10m to the police in a bid to televise high-profile matches in prime-time slots.

Sources said that many options are under review “to support police in keeping match-goers and communities safe”.

There is growing reluctance from the authorities to police games between rivals in the late afternoon and evenings.

The chances of trouble between fans is likely to be higher for a later kick-off.

In November, Liverpool’s visit to Manchester City was moved to a 12.30pm kick off amid concerns from a safety advisory group.

Likewise, the North London derby was scheduled for a 2pm Sunday kick off back in September.