Paul Barber has told Albion season ticket holders they WON’T be left out of pocket if they buy pay-per-view matches.

Two of the Seagulls’ next three fixtures will be screened on Sky Sports PPV channels at a cost of £14.95 apiece.

Some fans had complained buying the PPV package would mean paying twice for the same fixture, at least for now.

But, in a Q&A published on brightonandhove.com, Barber said: “Season-ticket holders will not end up out of pocket.

“We have already made it clear, several times now, we will be refunding or rebating any matches fans are unable to attend, whether the match is behind closed doors, or limited capacity and they miss out in any ballot.

“As well as payment holidays last season, we have already frozen payments to season-ticket holders after six monthly payments this season.

“We appreciate the issue of personal cashflow is understandably becoming an increasing problem for some of our supporters.

“We have a board meeting early this week to review this again, as we have done periodically throughout the pandemic, and if there is any change to our existing policy we will update fans as soon as we are able.”

He added: “The cost of the Premier League’s PPV offer is also significantly less than the typical rebate our fans will receive for each match they miss at the Amex.

“For fans in a multiple season ticket household, the savings on watching each game will be even more significant as they will receive multiple rebates but pay only one PPV fee, indeed if they choose to do so at all.

“And, while we would encourage everyone to stick to the rules and maintain social distancing, it is also possible for people to group together as two households and watch in parties of six or less.

“While Government rules allow, some people may even choose to watch the game in the pub with friends and other fans.

Barber, Albion’s chief executive and deputy chairman, has come under fire from some supporters since the Premier League revealed its short-term plan for PPV matches.

He said PPV arose from supporters’ suggestions during the ongoing Covid-enforced lockout.

Matches were screened without extra charge after the restart last season and that has continued so far this term.

But it is an unsustainable concession to fans unable to get to stadia.

Barber added clubs had not set the price for PPV matches, which include Albion’s home game against West Brom and trip to Tottenham.

Nor do they receive all the revenue.

Barber said: “Supporters’ groups had already asked the Premier League about a solution to watch all their teams’ matches while they are played behind closed doors, and it was one of those groups that initially suggested a pay-per-view route when it was made clear we couldn’t sustain what we did at the end of last season, and continue to give away additional matches for free.

“The EFL quickly adapted to the idea and has been offering a limited broadcast of all its matches for £10 per game on its iFollow platform.”

Barber added the Premier League pay-per-view service will be of a superior quality to that on iFollow, describing it as "a world class PPV broadcast product on a par with what fans are used to: multi-camera shoots, replays, commentary, punditry – and via a very stable and recognised delivery method".

He stressed PPV was being seen as an interim measure with the priority still to get fans back in stadia as soon as possible.

He added: “At the moment, we desperately want things to go back to normal in all forms of day-to-day life, but that isn’t possible yet. Once things return to normal we will likely revert back to the way things were, certainly for the length of the existing broadcast deal. This, hopefully short, period with PPV will however provide some interesting learning for broadcasters and for the Premier League and its clubs.

“In the meantime, I really don’t know of any businesses that are expected to give away their core product for free at any time, and least of all during a time when jobs and livelihoods are threatened everywhere, including in football clubs up and down the country.

“We are trying to do the best we can to be fair to fans in an incredibly complex situation, while also protecting our business, and the jobs of our staff, as we work our way through an unprecedented crisis.

“Thankfully, the vast majority of supporters understand and respect that, and are fully behind us as we do so.”