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England: Scrooge Chelsea slammed by disabled fans [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
London (AFP) - Chelsea have been branded the scrooges of the Premiership by disabled fans, shocked to learn they have to pay double for their tickets this season.
The Premiership champions, already accused of ripping off able-bodied supporters with their price rises, are accused of making money out of the handicapped.
Chelsea are forcing disabled fans to pay 50 pounds to watch a game while rivals Arsenal and Manchester United do not ask for a penny.
"Ripping off disabled fans is absolutely disgusting," said registered disabled Blues fan Ronald Briggs, 52, a former soldier.
"They are discriminating against us. It's unbelievable."
Spurs, Blackburn, Bolton and Middlesborough also charge disabled fans full price.
But others, like Newcastle, charge just 10 pounds.
But Chelsea's 49.50 pound charge is 10 pounds more than the next-highest -- Spurs.
A Chelsea spokesman said the Disability and Discrimination Act forced them to charge the full price. "This is not a situation we take any pleasure in," he added.
But a Premier League spokesman said: "Our guidelines from the Act state that while clubs can offer a concessionary rate for the disabled, they can also charge full price."
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