Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hits Chelsea & Arsenal with Security Charges
Arsenal, Chelsea, and other Premier League clubs may soon be required to cover the costs of policing their matches, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. The proposal, revealed in The Times, has sparked debate within the football industry, with finance expert Dan Plumley warning it could have significant consequences for the entire football ecosystem.
Rowley revealed that the Metropolitan Police currently shoulders 80 percent of the £24 million annual cost of policing football in London. He pointed to the stark contrast between this public expense and the spending habits of top clubs, noting that some are willing to pay over £100 million for a single player—citing salaries equivalent to over 600 police constables per week.
Indeed, recent high-profile transfers reflect this level of expenditure. Arsenal paid £105 million for Declan Rice from West Ham, while Chelsea spent £106.8 million on Enzo Fernández and £115 million on Moisés Caicedo. Chelsea’s total outlay this summer already exceeds £200 million, including deals for Jamie Gittens, João Pedro, and Estevão. Arsenal, meanwhile, are close to signing Noni Madueke for £52 million and remain linked with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres.
While top-flight clubs could likely absorb these costs, Plumley—speaking exclusively to Football Insider—emphasised the potential fallout for lower-tier sides, particularly in the Football League and National League, where many clubs operate on tight budgets and struggle financially.
“This proposal came a bit out of the blue,” Plumley said. “Financially, it makes sense to say Premier League clubs can afford it, but there’s a broader context that affects clubs across the country.”
“You’re not just talking about London or the Premier League. You’re talking about 72 Football League clubs and more. Many of these are loss-making and couldn’t manage this added cost without serious consequences.”
“The challenge is whether you create a two-tier system—some clubs pay, others don’t—or if every club is expected to contribute. The logistics and fairness of such a policy make it very difficult to implement, and frankly, I don’t see it happening any time soon.”
Arsenal and Chelsea Continue High Spending
Despite this financial controversy, Arsenal and Chelsea remain highly active in the transfer market. Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are preparing to strengthen further following a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League. With key injuries derailing their 2024/25 campaign, the club is pursuing greater squad depth. Brazilian winger Rodrigo remains a top target.
Chelsea, meanwhile, continue their recruitment drive under Enzo Maresca. The club has been boosted in their pursuit of Morgan Rogers, who is being tipped to become another headline-making, big-money acquisition.
As top clubs continue spending while national policing reforms loom, the debate over financial responsibility in football is far from over. While the Premier League elite may manage such obligations, the ripple effect on the rest of the football pyramid could prove significant—and potentially damaging.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hits Chelsea & Arsenal with Security Charges
