The Premier League is considering paying police up to £10m – in what is seen as a controversial attempt to allow clubs to play “risky” matches in lucrative late-day TV slots. According to information from Daily Mailsenior officials in the English league have reportedly been pushed, internally, to act in the face of the growing reluctance of law enforcement to cover matches between rivals, encounters generally classified as risky during which there is greater likelihood of problems later in the day.
The Premier League declined to comment but sources insist no form of payment could guarantee kick-off times and add a range of options are being considered “to help police keep spectators and communities safe”. However, if such a deal were to be reached, it could well prove highly controversial. One source described it as “nothing but a sweetener” And “yet another example of the Premier League and its clubs trying to get out of trouble”. It remains to be seen how the money would be distributed and whether the proposed payment will be timely. One option could be to make a central payment and then distribute it to the forces affected by the matches in question.
