Premier League stars 'told to join normal airport security' as special loophole rejected

Premier League stars have reportedly been told they must go through normal airport security queues despite arguing for special treatment.

It was argued by Premier League bigwigs that stars such as Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer should be ‘excused’ from the security checks when flying between UK destinations on private charter flights.

CEO Richard Masters had suggested players ought to be exempt as security checks could lead to hefty lines and therefore open them up to being accosted by selfie-chasing fans.

It’s said players from England’s top flight were exempt from the screenings last season but will have to front up to the lines this time around.

The bid to be granted special treatment on a permanent basis has fallen on deaf ears, with the Premier League players told they’ll have to stand in line just like everyone else.

Speaking on the matter, a source told The Sun: “This is not a good look for the Premier League.

“The government clamped down on potential security loopholes, with small planes included in checks.

They continued: “Richard Masters’ lobbying raised eyebrows within the government. It beggars belief he thinks footballers should be treated differently from the rest. He even threatened to go to No 10.

“It was an ill-conceived point to pick a fight on. He was initially successful, but the footballers are now having to toe the line.”

The rule is said to cover all flights, including the short-haul hops between UK cities and towns, even those that take off from regional airfields.

Speaking to The Sun, a source from the Department for Transport said: “Aviation security is of paramount importance to keep passengers safe.

“That is why all aircraft passengers are fully screened before they travel.”

It comes amid already growing pressures for Premier League clubs to use less air travel to commute to fixtures.

A study run by the BBC in 2023 found 81 domestic flights were taken by Premier League clubs in a three-month period, with some as short as 27 minutes.

It’s claimed the average flight time was 42 minutes, with the longest clocking in at just over an hour.

Environmental campaigner Dale Vince, a British industrialist and chairman of Forest Green Rovers, said at the time: “It’s an illusion to think there is a gain for a flight of that duration, modern coaches are very comfortable and aren’t going to impair the performance of the players over that short distance.”