Football fans face higher ticket prices because of Brexit, the Liberal Democrats have said.
The fall in the value of sterling since the EU referendum has meant Premier League teams have paid out an extra £114 million in summer transfer fees, according to Lib Dem MP Tim Farron who said some of the cost will be passed on to supporters.
The Lib Dems say the situation has worsened since last year when clubs paid an extra £54 million due to the fall in the exchange rate in the immediate wake of the referendum result.
Tim Farron believes clubs paid an extra £54m due to the fall in the exchange rate (Steve Parsons/PA)
The falling pound means Chelsea and Manchester City have paid nearly £50 million more between them on their summer transfer bill, the party calculated.
Alvaro Morata’s transfer to Chelsea could have cost £9 million less if it was not for the drop in the pound, according to the Lib Dems.
Mr Farron said: “The pound has sunk in value thanks to the Government’s appalling mishandling of Brexit – a sign of the damage leaving the EU will do to our economy.
According to the Lim Dems, Alvaro Morata’s transfer to Chelsea could have cost £9m less (Jed Leicester/EMPICS Sport)
“No fan wants to see their club having to pay more for their summer signings but that is what has happened.
“The fans who pay for their tickets, the club merchandise and their TV packages want the most value they can for their money – a weaker pound means that just isn’t the case.
“I do recognise as a Blackburn Rovers fan this has affected my team less than some this year – but this is yet another reminder of the real cost there is to Brexit.”
The party based its figures on a player being signed from a European club with the transfer paid in euros.