The Premier League "will fight efforts" to make its clubs "cover all policing costs associated with matches," according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. The London Assembly on Wednesday "passed a motion" that calls on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to lobby the government for "a change in the law to allow the Metropolitan Police to recover costs from clubs," with campaigners claiming that they reached £5M last season. However, recent High Court cases involving League Championship sides Leeds United and Wigan Athletic have ruled that clubs "are liable only for costs of police inside stadiums or on land owned by clubs." Any costs incurred from policing public roads and stations "must be borne by the force, at a cost to the taxpayer." London Assembly member Andrew Dismore said, "It is outrageous that clubs, who can pay their players thousands upon thousands of pounds a week, expect the taxpayer to pick up the bill." London Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime Sophie Linden said, "It is essential that all of London’s football matches are kept safe, but we are clear that more of the cost of policing should be met by the clubs" (LONDON TIMES, 2/9).
