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Manchester City Fans Organize Protests Over Season Ticket Policies
Fans of Manchester City are mobilizing once again to express their dissatisfaction with the club’s handling of season ticket availability. With a string of recent successes, including four consecutive Premier League titles, the discontent among certain supporters raises questions about how clubs engage with their fanbase.
This week, a group of fans staged their second protest prior to the game against Aston Villa, focusing on several key grievances:
- The capacity of Etihad Stadium has been increased by 9,000 seats in recent years, yet the total number of season tickets available has decreased compared to six years ago.
- Matchday ticket prices have surged, with adults facing charges of up to £88 and children up to £58 for single-game attendance.
- Fans have reported that tickets are being sold at inflated prices on third-party websites.
In response to the win against Villa, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed empathy for the fans, stating, “I am on the side of the people” and acknowledged their concerns.
The 1894 Group, a fan organization, is advocating for another protest during the home match against Wolverhampton on May 2. Organizers are calling for supporters to remain in the concourse of the stadium until the sixth minute of the game, symbolizing six years since the last sale of new season tickets.
Many fans fear that future developments will exacerbate the issue. With the stadium’s capacity set to exceed 60,000 next season, there are concerns that most of these new seats will cater to corporate clients rather than traditional supporters.
A representative for the 1894 Group commented, “The empty seats during significant matches reveal a concerning trend. This issue has persisted throughout the season.” They emphasized that excessive pricing is the core problem, arguing that the club fails to comprehend its own fanbase. The spokesperson criticized the shift towards attracting casual supporters at the expense of those who have historically backed the club.
The constraints on how many matches season ticket holders may miss are not unique to Manchester City; many clubs face similar pressures. City’s official website encourages fans to resell their tickets back to the club, but limits on how many times tickets can be resold remain a point of contention.
The club insists that season ticket holders must attend or resell their tickets for at least 14 home Premier League games each season, warning that failure to comply may jeopardize their season ticket status.
This approach is meant to ensure that the stadium of 53,000 remains filled even when ticket holders cannot attend. However, many supporters allege that tickets returned to the club are often resold at higher prices, either directly by the club or through ticket partners.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has characterized the situation as indicative of a “culture shift” in the industry, noting that clubs appear less interested in uncomplicated revenue from season ticket sales and more focused on engaging fans who may attend fewer matches but spend more on each visit.
“We firmly oppose secondary ticketing platforms that inflate prices beyond face value,” an FSA spokesperson remarked, highlighting a broader discontent with the ticketing practices prevalent in football today. They further noted that numerous clubs are halting the sale of new season tickets, marking a significant departure from previous norms.
As of now, Manchester City has been approached for a statement regarding these ongoing concerns and the upcoming protests.
Source
www.bbc.com