Source:REUTERS/TONY O BRIEN
[Saba Sports News] According to UK media reports, Premier League clubs and other event organizers may be forced to pay tens of millions of pounds in policing costs due to new plans being developed by the government. The Home Office is expected to convene a series of meetings in the coming days with major sports organizations to consult on proposals for increased police charges for maintaining security at large events. Currently, football clubs only need to cover policing costs for their own venues. However, senior officers, including Sir Mark Rowley, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, hope that clubs can bear annual costs of £70 million to maintain security and order on match days across a broader area. Most policing costs for sporting events in the UK are incurred by the Premier League. Furthermore, other events such as English Football League matches, international rugby and cricket events, the Grand National horse race, the Cheltenham Festival, the British Grand Prix, the London Marathon, and rowing competitions could also be affected by changes regarding who pays for policing costs. Additionally, non-sporting events such as the Notting Hill Carnival and Pride parades may also be impacted.