This Sunday the famous four of England’s two greatest footballing cities, Manchester and Liverpool – boasting a combined 58 top-flight league titles – will clash on the pitch in two pivotal Premier League fixtures.
Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford (1.30pm), followed by Liverpool versus Manchester City at Anfield (4pm).
While historic rivalries between the cities often dominate headlines, this weekend sees fans of all four clubs putting aside their long-standing differences to unite behind a common cause: tackling the exploitation of loyal supporters.
Fan groups from all four clubs are joining forces to support the Football Supporters Association’s (FSA) #StopExploitingLoyalty campaign, which highlights soaring ticket prices, the erosion of concessionary rates, and above-inflation increases that are pricing out the very people who form the backbone of English football culture.
It comes 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.
Yet, despite this, all but one Premier League club raised ticket prices last season, and this week, Manchester United announced that all new tickets for children and older fans at Old Trafford will increase to £66.
There is also growing concern that some clubs are now targeting the £30 cap on away tickets in the Premier League, threatening to dismantle one of the last safeguards for fans, many of whom make multiple financial sacrifices to continue supporting their club.
Football does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem – and loyal supporters should not bear the cost.
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