Labour hit out at Theresa May after she says Wembley sell-off is a ‘private matter’
2 min read
Theresa May has come under fire after she said the proposed sell-off of Wembley Stadium to an American billionaire is "not a matter for the Government".
Her comments, at Prime Minister's Queestions, came as talks continue between the Football Association and sports mogul Shahid Khan, which could see the home of England’s national team sold in a deal worth up to £1bn.
Reports earlier this month suggested the Government had backed the proposed sale, providing £600m of the proceeds were funnelled into improving grassroots facilities.
The Culture, Media and Sport committee is due to launch an inquiry into the proposed deal, given that £160m of public money was spent rebuilding the iconic venue.
Shadow health minister Justin Madders asked Mrs May: "When Premier league clubs spend hundreds of millions a year on wages and transfers, does the Prime Minister agree with me that there is more than enough money in the game for there to be no need to sell off this iconic national asset?"
But the Prime Minister replied: "That is a decision for the owners of Wembley. It is a private matter, it is not a matter for the Government.”
Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson criticised the PM's response on Twitter, saying that the London ground was "our national stadium" and that the view of fans had to be heard.
Meanwhile Mr Madders pointed to the public money invested in building the new Wembley at the turn of the century, adding that it should not be "sold off on the cheap".
Speaking afterwards, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "At the time I said it was a commercial matter, but the Prime Minister urged the FA to consider the views of fans and that remains the case."
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