Support comes at a price many fans are unwilling or unable to pay

WHILE Manchester City’s wealthy Dubai owners continue to bankroll the club, the Premier League champions’ supporters look to be adopting a more frugal approach.

According to local media reports, City have sent back 912 of the 3,000 tickets they were allocated for Sunday’s league clash at Arsenal, with travelling fans unhappy at the £62 (R853) cost for a seat at the Emirates.

“It’s the most expensive amount I can ever remember paying for a ticket in my life,” Kevin Parker, the general secretary of the Manchester City Supporters Club, was quoted as saying. “It just shows that football clubs are out of touch with reality. If City supporters are travelling on a supporters’ club coach it will cost £30 (R412) per person. That’s £92 (R1,265) before they have even done anything. Add in a programme, food, drink and you are looking at £125-£130 (over R1,700) per person.”

Widely regarded as one of the richest clubs in the world, after they were bought by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008, City have forked out millions to sign the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Mario Balotelli in recent seasons.

But despite the massive outlay, the most expensive tickets at the Etihad Stadium are £58 (R798) with the cheapest at £26 (R357), according to an October survey.

Arsenal sold the Premier League’s most expensive match day ticket at £126 (R1,732) and, like City, also one of the cheapest available at £26.

“Some people cannot afford the price, especially as it is just after Christmas, and there are some who just refuse to pay £62 (R853),” Parker said of the Arsenal cost. “This is also the first time in a long while that I remember City fans saying they could pay the money, but are refusing to do so.” – Reuters