Furious Man Utd fans slam Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS for ‘disgusting’ decision
Manchester United’s supporter groups are furious about the club’s decision to hike ticket prices and scrap concessions for the rest of the season.
The Red Devils’ efforts to cut costs under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have seen 250 staff get the boot, but the latest ticket pricing strategy has sparked outrage among fans. It’s been revealed that matchday tickets will now set supporters back £66, a significant jump from the initial £40 for adults and £25 for kids, with all tickets now at Category A rates.
United are standing their ground, claiming only three per cent of fans will be hit by the changes. However, one fan group has slammed the move as a “disgusting low blow”.
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The 1958 didn’t hold back in an angry email to club CEO Omar Berrada, stating: “This is a disgusting low blow from the club and we will be campaigning through our members, the fan base and all our media contacts to get this removed.”
In a fiery statement, they continued: “We have been outraged for a whole host of reasons with regards the latest price hikes. This goes far beyond just ticket prices. It’s an attack on football, it’s an attack on heritage and rivalries. The start of an erosion of the very fabric of football culture in our country,” reports the Mirror.
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“We will be protesting as part of the #StopExploitingLoyalty campaign being an associated member of the Football Supporters Association. This was at the request of other members who felt our fanbase was not being represented, nor given the focus by other groups. We will change that.”
The Manchester United Supporter’s Trust (MUST) also aired their frustration for a decision they claim was made without consulting fans. They “will be seeking urgent discussions” with the Red Devils to voice their worries about recent changes.
A spokesperson from MUST expressed deep concern: “There is a risk that this is only the opening salvo of what will surely be massive pressure to implement a significant price rise for next season. Once they have got used to charging £132 for a parent and child to come to OT, will they really go back to the old pricing levels for next season? “.
They continued to highlight the dedication of the fans: “We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance. We have gone to matches and abided by the new usage rules for tickets. We have taken on a price increase this year. This is in addition to the hundreds, even thousands loyal fans pay to follow United home and away.”
The statement concluded with a strong rebuke of the club’s actions: “We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the Club before INEOS’ arrival.”
