Manchester United have been accused of exploiting fans after taking the mid-season decision to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 per game, with no concessions for children or pensioners.
It comes as the club confirmed the cost of paying off former boss Erik ten Hag and his staff was £10.4m, while the cost of paying a release clause to bring in his replacement Ruben Amorim was £11m.
United have put the raised prices on their website, having told their fans’ forum of the move on Tuesday.
The club privately say the decision will only affect a small number of supporters as 97% of available tickets have already been sold.
However, the remainder will be subject to the increase.
In an open letter to United chief executive Omar Berrada, the 1958 fans’ group described the decision as “clear exploitation of our loyal fanbase”.
The 1958 group, which led protests against the Glazer ownership before Ineos agreed a part-purchase of the club last December, said it was planning a joint protest with Everton supporters before Sunday’s Premier League game between the clubs at Old Trafford.
United allow season ticket holders to sell back to the club any individual tickets they do not intend to use.
“The club will then resell the ticket at a higher price,” said the 1958 group. “This is ‘corporate touting’ at its finest and simply unacceptable.”
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust also criticised what it called an “offensive” move it says was taken without any fan consultation.
“We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms,” the group said, adding it was “seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy”.
United argue they need to generate as much money as possible in order to stay within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, while bringing in players they hope will make Amorim’s squad competitive.
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