Cameron cites ‘problem’ with Premier League ticket prices

Premier League ticket prices have been a hot topic for a while now, but this week the issue has exploded once again with Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund fans protesting at high prices, and Prime Minister David Cameron even pledging to “look carefully” at the issue.

“It is obviously a significant success for the Liverpool supporters’ groups, Spion Kop 1906 and Spirit of Shankly, who organised the protest and managed to get a huge amount of support”, FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke told Press Association Sport. In last year’s Price of Football study, they had the highest single matchday ticket at £97.

It will certainly be interesting to see what ideas they come up with, but with Arsenal fans getting their way over the “Barcelona surcharge” I am sure there will be many Gooners willing to protest at the Emirates…

With a massive new TV deal starting next summer and up to £8bn (what a insane figure that is by the way) coming into the coffers of Premier League clubs, it may not have been the best time to announce ticket price rises. Price increases further fuel the growing calls for affordable prices, particularly when comparisons with other European leagues show that the Premier League is amongst the most expensive. If only. As I say, they’re too nice. This is what Liverpool fans are doing and they don’t want that.

The Football Supporters’ Federation will host a meeting with fan representatives from each of the Premier League’s 20 clubs in an effort to coordinate the walkout for this weekend. It’s amusing how all these ex-players such as Carragher and Shearer have a lot to say now they are out the game.

A Stoke City spokesman said: “As the issue of a price cap was subject to a secret ballot it would be inappropriate to reveal which way we voted”.

Supporters have been counting the cost of rising prices for some time as the game has begun to move away from its working-class roots.

“I don’t think clubs have anything to fear about having fans on the board – I think they’ve got everything to gain and I think it’s wrong to ignore supporters”.

But with the prices becoming big news, that has brought the statisticians out in force.

But we all know that’s not the way football works. “LFC thanks fans for submitting questions for tonight’s Q&A however due to ongoing ticketing discussions, this will no longer take place”, said a statement on the club’s Twitter account. Maximising revenue in order to counterbalance the redevelopment of Anfield or compete financially with their rivals may make sense from an economical perspective, but expecting fans to shell out in excess of £1,000 to keep their season ticket in the Main Stand is a sign that football is losing touch with the everyday man, woman and child.