Following the complaint launched by MUST in November, the OFT has today confirmed that they will be investigating Manchester United over their rising ticket prices.
A successful meeting in Westminster took place yesterday to explore the arguments of the ‘Fair Deal for Fans’ campaign.
MUST’s chief executive, Duncan Drasdo, was understandably very pleased with the result.
“We’re delighted that the OFT have chosen to launch an Investigation into this matter,” he said. “We’re confident that the level of political support we’re gathering will ensure that the Fair Deal for Fans campaign now goes beyond United and beyond our compulsory Cup ticket scheme. Huge ticket prices and the systematic exploitation of loyal supporters affect many fans at clubs throughout all the Divisions.”
MUST representatives gave a presentation at a meeting of MPs, hosted by Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central and Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party. It was attended by a number of MPs and researchers, including representatives from all three major political parties. Among them was Alan Keen MP, Chair of All-Party Football Group, and Hugh Robertson MP, the shadow Sports Minister. Although the meeting was intended primarily for United-supporting MPs, and those from the surrounding area, there were MPs in attendance of a variety of sporting allegiances – including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
“The Automatic Cup Scheme seems a pretty clear-cut case of unfair practices, and we were glad to learn that the OFT will be looking into it,” said Keen. “But now it’s up to politicians to use the various tools at our disposal to broaden this campaign and get a fair deal for all fans.”
There’s still a long way to go but it appears as though it is going out way at the moment!
I’m paying (near as makes no difference) 7 times what you’re paying in Malaysia, Ulrik. Dunno about the rest of the lads in here.
I’m glad we’re trying to get the prices lowered. Sadly, what’s the most realistic reduction we can expect? £10? If that?
Let’s not fool ourselves either, we’ll have the cost of match tickets reduced, but everything else will go up to compensate for it. That pie and beer you’re used to? Yep, that’ll go up (again). The kits you buy your kids for their birthday/Xmas (after incessant mithering)? Yep, they’ll go up too (in fact, they’ll probably see the biggest price hike).
It’s all good if you’re like me, who refuses to pay the extortionate food/drink prices and buys shirts very, very rarely, but I’m not sure my mates (especially those who like their half-time refreshments!) would be too happy.
Then again, I don’t think the Glazers would care much about the chances of the local fanbase attending being eroded much more than it already is. All it would mean, if anything, is that more wealthy corporates/tourists would take their places …