Latest news with #ChrisNeville
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Fans urge 'scrapping' of season ticket policy changes
A group of Manchester City fans believe a new season ticket policy is in breach of the Equality Act rules are being introduced about how many games season ticket-holders must attend in person, but Trade Union Blues are arguing they negatively affect people who have caring duties, disabilities or who do shift season, City season ticket-holders had to ensure their ticket was used for 14 out of 19 games. This will increase to 16 out of 19 for the upcoming if fans were unable to attend, they could pass their ticket to a friend or list their seat on the Manchester City website. The change means supporters must attend a minimum of 10 games and this is controlled by a mobile ticket which cannot be transferred to anyone other than the season Neville, from Trade Union Blues, told BBC Radio Manchester: "There are a lot of people who will be affected by this. Newly pregnant women, or women who have just given birth, is just one example of people who will struggle to abide by these rules. We have instructed lawyers to send a legal letter to the club outlining why we believe it is a breach of the Equality Act 2010."We are not aware of any other clubs who impose these restrictions. Others may have a minimum usage policy, but not a minimum attendance policy which means you have to attend the game yourself."We are asking them to consult with us and to consider scrapping this policy."Manchester City released a statement on the issue: "We understand some supporters may find it difficult to attend 10 matches in person."We encourage everyone to see how things go for the first few months of the next season, but if you find yourself missing matches or facing challenging circumstances, the access team are on hand to help."They will work with you to try to come up with adjustments. You can also apply an exemption where necessary."On Friday, Manchester City also announced a significant reduction in ticket prices with some decreasing by as much as 43%.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Manchester City fans take legal action against club over season-ticket policy
Manchester City supporters have taken legal action against the club over what they describe as a discriminatory new season-ticket policy. The protest relates to a system that requires fans to attend at least 10 league matches if they are to retain their ticket for the following season. A group of fans known as the Trade Union Blues, whose members are union members, have engaged the law firm Leigh Day to ask the club to review the policy, arguing that the requirement 'potentially gives rise to claims under the Equality Act of 2010'. Advertisement Related: Beyond the apathy: the Manchester City and Chelsea fans off to the Club World Cup The secretary of Trade Union Blues, Chris Neville, said: 'This policy doesn't reward loyalty – it punishes people for being human. Illness, pregnancy, disability, caring responsibilities or working shifts [could] now cost you your season ticket. Many of our members have followed City through thick and thin and now face exclusion because of inflexible criteria that takes no account of individual circumstances.' The policy was announced by City last month, after season-ticket prices were frozen following consultation with the club's elected fan advisory board, City Matters. It increased the obligatory number of home league matches a season-ticket holder must attend from 14 to 16, but also mandated that only six of those games could be shared with friends or handed back to the club for resale. City believe that ticket utilisation is a growing issue for the club, having told City Matters in February that an average 8% of 37,000 season-ticket members do not attend a given Premier League game. Liverpool and Arsenal have mandatory attendance requirements for season-ticket holders, but neither cap the number of games that can be shared or resold. Arsenal exempt season-ticket holders with disabilities from the cap. Ryan Bradshaw, human rights partner at Leigh Day, said: 'The updated policy introduced by Manchester City applies a blanket requirement for personal attendance which significantly disadvantages a number of protected groups under the Equality Act. There is no indication that any meaningful mitigation procedures are in place. It disadvantages those working-class fans who are required to work shift patterns or precariously and may be unable to attend games for fear of losing their jobs.' City did not respond to a request for comment.
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Manchester City fans take legal action against club over season-ticket policy
Manchester City supporters have taken legal action against the club over what they describe as a discriminatory new season-ticket policy. The protest relates to a system that requires fans to attend at least 10 league matches if they are to retain their ticket for the following season. A group of fans known as the Trade Union Blues, whose members are union members, have engaged the law firm Leigh Day to ask the club to review the policy, arguing that the requirement 'potentially gives rise to claims under the Equality Act of 2010'. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The secretary of Trade Union Blues, Chris Neville, said: 'This policy doesn't reward loyalty – it punishes people for being human. Illness, pregnancy, disability, caring responsibilities or working shifts [could] now cost you your season ticket. Many of our members have followed City through thick and thin and now face exclusion because of inflexible criteria that takes no account of individual circumstances.' The policy was announced by City last month, after season-ticket prices were frozen following consultation with the club's elected fan advisory board, City Matters. It increased the obligatory number of home league matches a season-ticket holder must attend from 14 to 16, but also mandated that only six of those games could be shared with friends or handed back to the club for resale. City believe that ticket utilisation is a growing issue for the club, having told City Matters in February that an average 8% of 37,000 season-ticket members do not attend a given Premier League game. Liverpool and Arsenal have mandatory attendance requirements for season-ticket holders, but neither cap the number of games that can be shared or resold. Arsenal exempt season-ticket holders with disabilities from the cap. Ryan Bradshaw, human rights partner at Leigh Day, said: 'The updated policy introduced by Manchester City applies a blanket requirement for personal attendance which significantly disadvantages a number of protected groups under the Equality Act. There is no indication that any meaningful mitigation procedures are in place. It disadvantages those working-class fans who are required to work shift patterns or precariously and may be unable to attend games for fear of losing their jobs.' City did not respond to a request for comment.
