Fans protest against footie ticket prices

Updated 11.00 Tue Feb 20 2007
Keywords: Football Supporters' Federation, price, tickets, Premiership, Chelsea, Champions League, Stamford Bridge

A fans' group, claiming to represent 140,000 members in England and Wales, has launched an online petition to protest against 'rip-off' ticket prices.

With a growing number of top-flight clubs cutting admission prices in a bid to attract higher gates, the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) has issued a three-point directive it believes all Premiership clubs should follow.

The Football Supporters' Federation wants to see a league-wide away fans' ticket price of no more than £15 as well as a league-mandated freeze on all matchday and season ticket prices

The group wants to see a league-wide away fans' ticket price of no more than £15 as well as a league-mandated freeze on all matchday and season ticket prices.

The FSF also thinks that televised matches should have lower ticket prices to compensate for fixture changes and inconvenient kick-off times.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon recently claimed ticket prices could not be at Stamford Bridge because all funds were required for increased salaries.

But FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke said: "Peter Kenyon is reported as saying that the club has no intention of lowering ticket prices as his players will be demanding big pay rises. Sorry Peter. Get real. Here on planet Earth most people view professional footballers in the Premier League as being paid enough already."

Clarke added: "Most people would be able to get by on the average salary of a Chelsea first-team squad player.

"Chelsea and every other club in the Premier League are going to receive extra millions in broadcasting income next season. It is time this was shared out with the fans."

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