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West Ham Olympic Stadium deal: Fans inquiry call thrown out | West Ham Olympic Stadium deal: Fans inquiry call thrown out |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The government has rejected a request from a group of football supporters to investigate the rental of the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United. | The government has rejected a request from a group of football supporters to investigate the rental of the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United. |
The supporters claimed the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) would subsidise rent, which it denied. | The supporters claimed the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) would subsidise rent, which it denied. |
The group made up of trusts from clubs including Arsenal said it was "disappointed" by the decision but had expected it. | The group made up of trusts from clubs including Arsenal said it was "disappointed" by the decision but had expected it. |
The government said the deal had been "scrutinised" and "upheld". | The government said the deal had been "scrutinised" and "upheld". |
The LLDC, which owns the stadium, said West Ham contributed £15m to the £272m conversion of the stadium and the development corporation would also pay for "facilities and services" such as pitch maintenance and for stewarding on match days, which can cost £2.5m annually. | |
It is also understood the club will pay up to £2.5m a year in rent, although the LLDC said it would never reveal that information. | |
In comparison, Manchester City, who moved into the former Commonwealth Games stadium, pay overheads on top of £4m rent. | |
The coalition of supporters, made up of trusts from clubs including Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, started an online petition which had gained more than 24,000 signatures in favour of a public inquiry. | |
Mat Roper said the group remained concerned they were expected to see it as a "fabulous deal for the taxpayer" when they had not seen any figures to support the claim and one document they requested had been "completely redacted". | |
He said: "We're no nearer the truth of what we think is in the rental agreement....until we know that then we're going to continue. | He said: "We're no nearer the truth of what we think is in the rental agreement....until we know that then we're going to continue. |
"Whether it happens to be continuing with that petition, a new petition or... a new FOI request, it's certainly not dead in the water." | "Whether it happens to be continuing with that petition, a new petition or... a new FOI request, it's certainly not dead in the water." |
The group said they remained concerned the deal would give the Hammers a competitive advantage. | The group said they remained concerned the deal would give the Hammers a competitive advantage. |
But the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "West Ham United has a concession at the stadium and their contributions reflect that status. | But the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "West Ham United has a concession at the stadium and their contributions reflect that status. |
"The contract, awarded after an open public competition, has been widely scrutinised and tested in court. | "The contract, awarded after an open public competition, has been widely scrutinised and tested in court. |
"The stadium remains in public ownership and the profits from its multiple uses will flow to the taxpayer." | "The stadium remains in public ownership and the profits from its multiple uses will flow to the taxpayer." |
While West Ham will host all of their home matches at the stadium, British Athletics will take control of the arena for one month every summer. | While West Ham will host all of their home matches at the stadium, British Athletics will take control of the arena for one month every summer. |