Southampton, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Supporters’ Trusts slam FA Cup ticket prices

The Supporters’ Trusts at Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Southampton have bashed the Football Association for extortionate FA Cup semi-final and final tickets in a joint statement as per the Express.

Spurs and United are set to square off at Wembley on April 21st, whereas Saints take on Chelsea a day later.

The FA Cup semi-final ‘cheap’ seats remain at £30, but category A, B, and C tickets have been raised, with the most expensive semi-final ticket costing up to £80. Meanwhile, the final will see tickets cost up to £145 come 19th May.

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The statement reads: “The FA has secured record broadcast rights for the competition, there is a lucrative sponsorship deal in place, and attendances throughout the competition have been higher than in recent years.

“The FA itself is in better financial health than ever. So we cannot see the rationale for hiking prices.”

“The price of football at the top level is already extortionate. This latest decision is nothing more than opportunistic exploitation of fan loyalty. We expect better from a body that claims to be the guardian of the game, especially in the oldest and most famous cup competition in world football.”

Andy Ambler, the FA’s director of professional game relations rebutted: “It’s always important to remember that the FA is a not-for-profit organisation where every pound and penny of profit is reinvested back into every level of football in England.

”If you’re buying a ticket for the semi-final or the final you are directly investing in the future of the game in this country.”

These days, the FA Cup isn’t exactly the prestigious competition of yesteryear, but it’s certainly keeping up with the modernity of over-inflated ticket prices.