Premier League clubs, including Watford, should face legal action if they fail to meet the needs of disabled fans, a new report has suggested.

Two years ago, the Premier League said it would improve facilities for disabled fans at top-flight stadia after a BBC investigation revealed 17 of the 20 then Premier League clubs were not providing sufficient wheelchair spaces.

However the Culture, Media and Sport select committee report published today said clubs were prioritising profit over access, and was dubious the league would issue punishments if they failed to meet the requirements.

READ MORE: Watford to miss Premier League target for disabled fans provision

Watford currently has 61 spots for fans requiring wheelchairs, and 124 seats considered easy access.

From the summer, every Premier League club is required to have 153 of each, a figure the Hornets will not reach.

But they will introduce 31 new wheelchair spaces and 49 new easy access seats at Vicarage Road before the start of next season.

In December, the club published a statement recognising its “commitment to the continual improvement of accessibility”.

David Butler, chairman of WFC Enables – the independent supporter group for people with disabilities at Watford FC – said the club’s aspiration should be to meet “actual demand” rather than guideline figures.

He added: “If these additional spaces were to be provided, 700 able-bodied supporters would be displaced from cherished seats that they may have occupied for many years.

“If these supporters subsequently see that these positions are not appropriately occupied due to a lack of demand, they will be at best disgruntled and at worst antagonistic.

“We believe it is quite unnecessary to create a potentially negative attitudinal change towards our disabled members.”

The report praised Watford FC for the different aspects of its disability provision, in particular for its work with people with sensory and learning disabilities.

An interim report detailing each club’s progress will be published at the end of January.