Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the impact of the 3 pm football blackout on disabled people who lack the mobility to watch games live.

The Government does not have a role in the application of the broadcast blackout at 3pm on Saturday for football in England, and this rule arises from Article 48 of the Union of European Football Associations’ (UEFA) statutes.

The Government expects all sports and all clubs to take the necessary action to fulfil their legal obligation under the Equality Act of 2010, including making reasonable adjustments so that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage when accessing sports venues. With the support of Level Playing Field, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) developed the Accessible Stadia document and Accessible Stadia Supplementary Guidance as a benchmark of good practice for new and existing sports grounds. It offers practical, clear solutions that will help deliver high-quality grounds with facilities and services that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all.