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Man City confiscate banner displayed by fans protesting increase in season ticket prices

Man City confiscate a banner which was displayed by their own fans who had been protesting the increase in season ticket prices.

Prior to the highly anticipated Premier League match against Arsenal, the 1894 supporters group unveiled a message aimed at the club’s owners.

The Family Stand/Colin Bell Stand/South Stand pitchside offers the most affordable adult season ticket for the upcoming season, starting at £540.

However, it is important to note that these seats are extremely limited and located at the front, just below the pitch.

On the other hand, the highest price for a season ticket can be found in the Colin Bell Stand and East Stand, costing £1,080.

The banner displayed by fans read: “Record profits but record prices. Stop exploiting our loyalty.”

Man City fan groups accuse the club of trying to price loyal supporters out of their seats after the cost of season tickets for next season was put up.

The Premier League champions’ recent announcement to increase season ticket prices by an average of five per cent for the upcoming year has sparked frustration among the fanbase, who believe they are being excluded from attending matches.

Despite the impressive revenue of £712m reported by the club in their latest financial statements, the cost of season tickets continues to rise.

“With £80m profits last year, there is absolutely no justification for the continued ticket price rises. Season tickets and matchday tickets and memberships are all too high,” said a spokesperson for the 1894 group.

“Pep Guardiola often asks for more noise at the stadium. He needs to put this question to Ferran Soriano and Khaldoon Al Mubarak as they are the ones who implement the matchday prices.

“It looks like the club are trying to replace us with the global fanbase. If fans are priced out of attending, it means the traditions, heritage and atmosphere get eroded year on year.

“It looks like the club want us to give up season tickets so that more tickets can go on sale via packages. Our advice would be hold on to your tickets and sell to family and friends at face value if you can’t go. Once you give up your ticket, you can’t get it back.

“It’s more than price rises – it’s about the heart and soul of the club.”

A gathering of City fans who convene weekly near the stadium beneath the bridge to support local foodbanks, understand the challenges faced by many residents of Manchester currently.

Despite being reminded by the club about the significance of every supporter, the recent price hikes seem to contradict that sentiment.

“Every year Pep says ‘We need our people’, but his mates make it harder for our people to be there. Our core support, who have been following our local club for years and years through it all, has had repeated price increases for over a decade now,” said a spokesperson for the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support.

“The Greater Manchester region, and Manchester particularly, are some of the most deprived parts of the country. There are families living in the shadow of the Etihad using foodbanks, who couldn’t imagine paying what a match ticket costs now.

“When fans returned post-Covid, the PA said ‘We’ve missed you’ and ‘It’s not been the same without you’. City made more money in lockdown despite no fans in the ground, proving that they don’t need to increase matchday revenue at all.

“So why squeeze costs out of the people who can afford it least? Do the people in charge ever consider taking a pay cut if the club needs that extra million quid?”

This was the first game at the Etihad since the alterations in ticket prices were communicated to the fans via email.

It was evident that the supporters were not pleased with the changes, as they made their dissatisfaction abundantly clear.

Over the past few years, the cost of living in the UK has witnessed an increase, leading to frustration among supporters regarding the rise in prices of season tickets.

However, the club justifies these price hikes by citing rising operational costs, inflation, and the actions of other Premier League clubs.

Nevertheless, the fact that these changes were implemented without consulting the supporter groups has greatly irked them.

Prior to the Arsenal match, Pep Guardiola was questioned about the situation and he expressed his sympathy towards the fans.

He said: “Absolutely [I understand].

“The people will support us unconditionally. The team is the team, not involved, respect all opinions.

“I know it is a sensitive issue, but on Sunday, they will be with us.

“Now with the last games of the Premier League at home with our people I’m pretty sure they will give us what we need to perform to our best. Right now, every game is so important.”

Man City sources insist the banner was removed only because it was draped over advertising boards, which contravened ground rules, and not because of the content.

This is how fans reacted as Man City confiscate banner displayed by fans protesting the increase in season ticket prices…

@riotmci: Not a good look for the club 😬

@RealTolmie: That’s a lie. As was what the Club were initially told the banner was going to be..city saw their arses, simple as that.

@FSGOUT1989: Record profits by cooking the books. 115 charges going to prove it, that’s why they took your banner down

@lee1892Johnson: 👏🏻 ………should be happening up and down the land, But I think this will become more common

@Michael_TSB: Profits should really be in inverted commas.

@Davros1736: Well done making the point guys 👏👏👏👏

@OliverBanks: Nothing like a small banner and half your seating empty to prove a point.

@sammytodd86: unfortunately success comes at a cost, still seeing the best football team tear it up, have to move with the times 💙🤍

@Dannyjm__: Well done lads @WeAre1894, need to do it every game until they say something

@HalClarke0: Awful that the club confiscated the banner

@OfficiaLEE_Jim: Shameful from the club, typical.

@HPMindfulness: Fucking hell. The club just don’t get it

@KDuffy_: Tbf that’s awful from city that

@KyleBoas_: Gave it more publicity by confiscating it.

@stevvy1986: It says a lot that they removed it. I wonder why. Maybe because they don’t like the truth and don’t want it being shown worldwide? Pathetic.

@gwilymjjames: They must have been furious about that big banner that was hanging over the entire East Stand pre-kick off.

@Georgielee_xx: This is so depressing. I gave up my season ticket after 25 years due to costs and a complete change in atmosphere amongst fans. So sad the club are still doing nothing to help and instead alienating the loyal fans even further. Huge disconnect at the club at the moment

@MCFChibbs: We’ve literally had banners over there before

@El_Mago21_: Embarrassing from the club that.

@jdeposicion: Absolute d*ckmove. If anything confirms the worries over a lack of connection between such clubs (not that the traditional always do a better job) and the fans — exploited fans, and seemingly, unlikely to change.

@Ethan145599: Sounds like rubbish from city that

@AHarrison_SLT: Shameful that local fans are priced out by tourists. Last couple of matches it’s been clear that people getting hold of tickets have zero connection to club 😴

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