English Fans Stage Protest

Last updated : 29 September 2015 By Queens Mad

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English fans will stage a string of protests this weekend after their top flight was revealed to be the most expensive in the world.

In a move that will strike a chord with Scottish football supporters who believe they are also getting ripped off English fans will lobby clubs as part of the ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ campaign.

The protest has been sparked after recent figures showed the average top flight ticket costs £53.76 and fans will call on clubs to cap prices for away fans at £20.

The study, by GoEuro and Onefootball, ranked the top 25 leagues in the global game in terms of ticket prices and value for money.

A Football Supporters’ Federation revealed the rally, against the so-called Great British Rip Off, is continuing to attract widespread support spokesman.

 The spokesman said: “Over the past 25 years money has flowed into football enriching players, owners, executives and agents.

“We think it’s about time fans saw some of the benefits too, through reduced ticket prices.

“That’s why fans across the country will be protesting under the banner ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ this weekend – calling for a cap of £20 on away tickets in a national weekend of action.”

Scottish football fans have long felt the game north of the border is also over-priced. They believe away supporters at Category A Premiership matches are being unfairly targeted because it costs more for followers of the likes of Celtic to see their team at rival grounds than it is for Ross County fans, for example.

But it’s supporters of the mega-rich EPL that are now acting on their fury.

Of the 25 leagues ranked around the world, only Spain’s La Liga and Serie A in Italy had ticket prices over the £50 mark.

Attendances in Scottish football aren't great - is pricing a big factor?

 Yet the Premier League still came in fourth behind Germany, Spain and Portugal when factors such as travel costs, accommodation and food and drink were thrown into the equation.

Now Europe’s most influential fan organisation has also called for change and thrown its weight behind this weekend’s protest.

Daniela Wurbs, CEO of Football Supporters Europe, said. “Fans across Europe are often horrified when we see some of the ticket prices being charged in England, particularly in the Premier League.

“It makes us all the more determined to resist any attempts in other countries to follow suit and of course there is a lot of support in other countries for fans’ campaigns for cheaper tickets in England.”

Manchester City and Liverpool fans angrily protested two years ago at the Emirates after being asked to shell out £62 to see their sides in action against Arsenal.

Dortmund online fanzine editor, Arne Steding, believes that amount has left Bundesliga fans stunned.

“In Germany we often have a look at the English prices and we’re scared that one day this might become reality here too,” he said. “At the moment, though, there’s no comparison.”

Chris Millar, a member of the Bournemouth fan group Loud and Proud, said: “On average we’re probably paying almost £15 more (than we were in the Championship) to watch the team away this season – that’s almost £300 over the course of the season,” says Chris Millar, a member of the group.

Millar, whose group is taking part in this weekend’s protest, added: “Football is turning into the middle class game. There’s no reward for the fans, we’re just getting exploited by the clubs.”

“You’ve got fans at Bournemouth who have been going for years and years and even put their own money into the club to save it. Now we’re being penalised for success.”