David Cameron: 'I will look carefully at Premier League ticket prices'

Prime minister David Cameron has pledged to “look carefully” at the rising cost of Premier League tickets following high-profile fan protests.

The Conservative leader was pressed by Labour MP Clive Efford, the shadow sports minister, about ticket prices during prime minister's questions. This followed a mass-walkout by Liverpool supporters last week over high ticket prices and criticism from the football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) about clubs’ apparent resistance to lower or freeze them.

“I will look very carefully at the suggestion the honourable gentleman makes because I think there is a problem here when some clubs put up prices very rapidly every year, even though so much of the money for football actually comes from sponsorship, equipment and other sources, so I’ll look very carefully at what he says,” said Cameron.

Last Saturday, thousands of Liverpool fans left Anfield early during the team’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland after being told that ticket prices would increase for the 2016/17 season.

The FSF also waded into the debate after its proposal to have a £20 (US$29, €26) cap on away ticket prices failed to get the necessary votes during a meeting between all 20 Premier League clubs last week.

“We are incredibly disappointed to learn that a proposed cap on away ticket prices was voted down by the Premier League clubs in a secret ballot. Supporters will not let them off the hook,” said an FSF statement.

“Top flight clubs have known since last year they will be receiving a huge increase in their TV revenues. In light of the windfall, Premier League clubs cannot justify maintaining high ticket prices, particularly for away fans.”

Last year the Premier League signed a £5.1bn (US$7.9bn, €6.6bn) domestic TV rights deal, which will go up to £8.2bn (US$11.9bn, €10.6bn) once the international rights are factored in.