Clegg: Clubs With Troublesome Fans Should Pay More for Policing - Ipswich Town News
Chief executive Simon Clegg says clubs whose supporters have a reputation for causing trouble should pay more towards policing when they are playing away from home. Town have spoken to the Football League and are asking other sides for their thoughts on the issue.
The Blues chief executive believes it’s unfair that home sides are hit financially because of opposition supporters: "When you have a club like Leeds or Millwall come down, who have got a reputation of having difficult fans, the police will grade the match higher than if we were playing Barnsley.
"At the moment we have to bear those additional costs, although some of them are absorbed by the police and not the full cost is handed on in every instance.
"You could argue that it’s unfair that we as the home club have to absorb that additional cost of policing as a result of the behaviour and reputation of the away fans. It’s an interesting debating point.”
Clegg says the club have made their thoughts known to the authorities: "The Football League are aware of our views and we will canvass support from some other clubs to see how they feel about it. We are financially disadvantaged by certain clubs coming to this town.”
The former British Olympic Association chief is pleased that the home derby with Norwich City has been switched to a Thursday evening, having previously been scheduled for Good Friday lunchtime: "It’s a great win for the club and hopefully it will be on the day as well.”
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