David Cameron urges Premier League clubs to ensure ticket prices are fair for fans
- Football supporters have protested against rising ticket prices this season
- Prime Minister David Cameron has urged clubs to talk with fan groups
- Cameron insisted it is the 'hard work and the money of millions of loyal supporters' which has contributed to football's success
David Cameron has called on Premier League clubs to be fairer to supporters when setting ticket prices.
The spiralling cost of watching football has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, with Liverpool fans last month staging a mass walk-out during a match in protest at plans to charge £77 for some tickets.
The Prime Minister agreed to look into the rising prices following a request by shadow sports minister Clive Efford.
Prime Minister David Cameron has urged clubs to be fair to football fans when setting prices for match tickets
Cameron has agreed to look into ticket prices and is keen for clubs to communicate with supporter groups
And in a letter to the Labour MP, Mr Cameron called for greater dialogue between clubs and supporters' groups in a bid to keep ticket costs at a 'sensible level'.
He wrote: 'At a time when there is more money flowing into the Premier League than ever before, it should not be forgotten that this success is built upon the hard work and the money of millions of loyal supporters.
'Clubs need to ensure that their ticket policies provide the right balance between value for supporters and generating the income necessary to sustain their businesses.'
Mr Cameron did not back Mr Efford's proposal to have mandatory supporter representation on the boards of clubs.
Crystal Palace supporters protest against a hike in rising ticket prices at Selhurst Park earlier this season
However, he has called for regular meetings between clubs and supporters' groups, starting next season, as recommended by a recent report from the government-formed Expert Working Group.
Mr Cameron added: 'In the meantime, we will continue to monitor both the progress against the specific commitments made by the football authorities in the Expert Working Group, and the ongoing relationships of clubs and their supporters.
'Keeping the cost of football at a sensible level should be an important part of that.'
The Football Supporters' Federation welcomed the Prime Minister's comments and urged clubs to act accordingly.
Cameron insists clubs must ensure ticket prices provide value for fans as well as generating sufficient income
It said: 'Many fans feel they're paying too much for their match ticket so we're pleased to hear that the PM has warned the Premier League to remember that its success is built on the loyalty of supporters.
'David Cameron is correct to say that clubs must balance value for supporters against generating income - and the top flight's record-breaking £8billion-plus media deal means they have more than enough income to reduce ticket costs.
'Clubs should also take note of the PM's belief that there needs to be stronger dialogue between clubs and fans - it's something clubs have signed up to via an Expert Working Group and they must deliver on that commitment.'
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