Are Premier League clubs lying about their attendance figures? | OneFootball

Are Premier League clubs lying about their attendance figures? | OneFootball

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Phil Costa·12 September 2018

Are Premier League clubs lying about their attendance figures?

Article image:Are Premier League clubs lying about their attendance figures?

Attendance figures at Premier League stadiums have become a significant talking point in recent weeks.

Are clubs overestimating when the eye test says different? Are fans interesting in watching live football anymore? Are clubs falsely advertising an enjoyable atmosphere to draw more people in?


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According to a study from BBC Sport, relevant police forces and local councils estimated a considerable drop off in what figures were announced by the clubs and how many people actually attended matches.

Most teams in the Premier League choose to publicise the number of ‘tickets sold’ for a game rather than the number of people actually in the stadium.

That means they include season ticket holders who don’t attend and complimentary tickets that are not used.

According to the Sports Ground Safety Authority, clubs are required by law to know the number of people attending each game for safety reasons and plan in advance for expected attendances.

Based on Freedom of Information requests sent to official channels, here is what BBC Sport found:

West Ham: Newham council says the average attendance at West Ham was 42,779 based on the 12 games it attended – which is 12,530 fans fewer than the club’s season average figure of 55,309.

Manchester City: Greater Manchester Police’s average figures were 7,482 lower than club figures, again based on 12 games.

Southampton: Hampshire Police figures were an average of 4,246 fans lower than figures issued by the club.

Tottenham: Brent Council says crowds at Wembley Stadium were on average 3,740 less than the club’s stated numbers.

Chelsea: Hammersmith and Fulham council says its average was 3,505 fans lower than club numbers, based on six games.

Watford: Hertfordshire Police says its average was 2,602 fans fewer than club figures, based on four games.

Manchester United: Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Police both said United’s published attendance figures matched its own, based on 12 games.

According to the Football Supporters Federation (FSF), there are a number of reasons for fans not attending matches.

Cheaper season tickets allowing fans to pick and choose games; life or work commitments; games being rearranged for TV – even apathy due to poor results.

It’s easy to understand why clubs would portray the better numbers, but empty seats tell the pertinent stories. Maybe English football needs to find a way to reconnect with fans again – otherwise bare stands could become the norm.