Latest news with #fanprotests
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Man City chairman reveals he was 'not OK' with how ticket issues played out as club 'work hard to find solutions' after fan protests at the Etihad
Manchester City still have more to do in reaching a solution on ticketing issues that engulfed last season, according to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Supporters staged protests at the Etihad Stadium to mark displeasure at pricing, the distribution of tickets and third-party sites, as well as criteria for retaining season cards. Thousands took part in demonstrations, which included remaining on the home concourses for the opening minutes of two matches – wins over Leicester City and Wolves. City announced that general admission and season ticket prices would be frozen for the upcoming campaign after protests and talks with the club's mandated fan advisory board, City Matters. They are understood to have proposed a 2.8 per cent increase but reverted to their existing pricing strategy after 'constructive dialogue' with fans. 'This has been a relationship built on trust between the fans and the club,' Al Mubarak said. 'And that trust comes both ways. I think this issue on ticketing is no doubt something that has… I'm not OK with the way it played out. 'I think the management team is working very closely with City Matters, addressing and understanding the issues. That's key in solving any issues, you have to understand what the issues are, and you have to really, constructively speak and, try to work it out.' Pep Guardiola said he was on the side of 'the people' amid the protests and encouraged their freedom of expression. There remain concerns among the fanbase as to whether additional season tickets will become available once the new North Stand redevelopment – taking capacity to over 60,000 - is completed. City are issuing 500 new 'Flexi-Gold' season tickets to eligible members, with matchday passes bought on a game-by-game basis. It includes a £120 subscription fee – a percentage of which will be reimbursed with every ticket purchased. 'What I'm sure about and I hope this message comes out loud and clear, is that relationship of trust between the fans and the club is the foundation of the success and sustainability of this club,' Al Mubarak added. 'We know that, and we appreciate that deeply. These conversations with City Matters and our fans will continue, and we will try to find solutions always to address some of the challenges in a way that is fair for everyone. 'Some announcements have been made so far. But there's more to come. We're going to work hard, we're going to continue to work hard together to find the optimal solutions that work for everyone.' During an in-house interview, Al Mubarak was asked about the hearing with the Premier League, with both sides still awaiting a verdict. 'I suppose the only thing I can say is we still don't have a ruling,' he said. 'Once there's a ruling, I'll be able to speak about it. Until then we just have to be patient. We will talk about it, I promise you, once we have the ruling.'
CNA
24-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Milan's futile win over Monza overshadowed by fan protests
AC Milan wrapped up their disappointing season with a 2-0 win over Monza on Saturday, but the game was overshadowed by fan protests against the club ownership and hierarchy both before and during the match. Milan's victory came thanks to second half goals from Matteo Gabbia and Joao Felix, moving them to seventh in the standings but not into the European qualification places, one point above Fiorentina who are at Udinese on Sunday. Thousands of Milan supporters gathered earlier on Saturday outside the club's Casa Milan headquarters, after a season of discontent culminated in a protest asking owner Gerry Cardinale to sell up and leave. RedBird Capital Partners bought the club in June 2022, with Milan having just secured their first league title in 11 years, but the only trophy won since then was this year's Italian Super Cup, far below fans' expectations. Supporters had already made their feelings clear from the start of the campaign, unhappy with the selection of Paulo Fonseca as manager, and the Portuguese coach was replaced by compatriot Sergio Conceicao in December. Milan were eight in the table at the time, and while Conceicao won the Super Cup in his first games in charge, there was little improvement in Serie A and they exited the Champions League at the league phase. Along with RedBird chief Cardinale, club Chairman Paolo Scaroni, CEO Giorgio Furlani, senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and technical director Geoffrey Moncada were all targets for supporters' anger in Saturday's protest. The fans also called for the return of their hero Paolo Maldini to the club, after the former Milan defender was sacked from his technical director role in 2023, another decision which strained the relationship between supporters and owners. After they marched to the San Siro, the Curva Sud fans positioned themselves to spell out 'Go Home' in a clear message to their American owner, and most left the sector in an organised walkout 15 minutes into the game. "Among our fans there is disappointment, regret, anger and frustration, these are all feelings that we also feel. Do not think that this is not the case," club CEO Furlani told DAZN before the game. "The season ends today and next week we start again."
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Man United fans hit out at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos' brutal ticket price hikes as supporters send co-owners message during pre-match protest against West Ham
Manchester United fans vented against Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos at Old Trafford on Sunday after a season of brutal ticket price hikes and controversy. Supporters behind the dugout accused the club leadership of choosing 'money overloyalty' and 'evicting the United family over email'. It comes after the news that United are converting the seats behind the dugouts into a lucrative VIP hospitality area, and uprooting fans who have sat there for decades into different seats. Around 500 fans will be relocated. Earlier this season, United sparked fury when they raised ticket prices to a minimum of £66 for members for the rest of the season. Members of all ages including children have been made to pay the increased fare for tickets and the club has also removed concession prices. For next season, the cost of seasn tickets has been raised by five per cent to a range of £608-£1,121. More to follow.
