Newcastle owner Mike Ashley calls for cut in Premier League pay-per-view fee

Ashley asks for two-thirds fee reduction after backlash by fans

Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, is calling for pay-per-view fees to be cu. Chris Ratcliffe / AFP Photo
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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has called the Premier League's pay-per-view arrangements "not acceptable" as clubs prepare to discuss the policy at a shareholders' meeting on Tuesday.

Matches played after October's internationals that were not selected for regular television broadcast were made available on a pay-per-view basis on Sky Sports or BT Sport at £14.95 ($19) each.

Fans' groups have urged a price cut, with many supporters opting to donate to food banks and other charitable causes instead of paying the fee.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters this month said the price was "defensible", while BT Sport said it was simply covering its costs.

Ashley, who explained his initial vote in favour of the pay-per-view proposal as being due to a lack of "realistic or viable alternatives", has now proposed lower prices.

"I am calling on the Premier League to immediately act and review its current pay-per-view arrangements for live matches in the UK," he said.

"Charging £14.95 for single televised matches in the current climate it is not acceptable to any football fan.

"Supporters have overwhelmingly rejected this offer and the Premier League must now act.

"Why not make it much more accessible at £4.95 a match until Christmas?"

Ashley suggested profits from the reduced-price scheme should be divided equally between the English top-flight and lower-league clubs.

Premier League clubs had hoped to welcome back some fans to stadiums from October but the government has imposed an indefinite delay after a surge in coronavirus cases.

The league has warned that English football will lose £100 million for every month supporters are barred from grounds.