Fans of Liverpool FC, Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City will join forces in protest of rising ticket prices this weekend, as part of the Football Supporters’ Association’s Stop Exploiting Loyalty campaign.
In the early kick-off, United fan group FC58 will hold an anti-exploitation banner alongside travelling Evertonians at the Trinity Statue outside Old Trafford. Meanwhile, fans from our Spirit of Shankly group will protest alongside City’s 1894 and MCFC Fans Foodbank Support outside the foodbank collection point near the corner of the Kop and Kenny Dalglish stands.
This comes in response to events earlier this week, where it emerged that United were increasing prices to £66 for a ticket and abolishing concessions for the rest of the season. Every top flight club save for one has raised ticket prices this season, with concern growing that some clubs are now targeting the £30 cap on away tickets.
Spirit of Shankly spokesman Gareth Roberts, who used his platform on Sky’s The Overlap Fan Debate to raise awareness on this issue earlier this week, put out this statement:
“It’s time for clubs to remember that their wealth and success are built on the unwavering loyalty of their supporters. That passionate support that fuels the creation of flags and banners, of songs, and vocal backing, comes from generational commitment to the cause.”
“That support is being threatened by the price of football – from tickets to TV subscriptions, even down to the prices of food and drink on the concourse. Raising prices when financial pressures on fans are at an all-time high is an insult. We’re proud to unite with fans from Manchester in this campaign to fight for fairness.”
A collective statement from the groups stated that these raises came “in the same week the Premier League’s new broadcast rights deal rose by 17% to a staggering £12.25bn, further diminishing the significance of general admission ticket income to clubs’ finances.”