Manchester City and Liverpool fans to join arms in protest against ‘exploitation of loyal supporters’ | OneFootball

Supporters of both Manchester City and Liverpool will this weekend stand arm-in-arm in protest against rising ticket prices across the Premier League.

Protests ahead of one of the biggest matches in English football coincide with the Premier League’s new broadcast rights deal, with has seen an increase of 17 per cent to £12.25 billion and in turn reduces significance of general admission ticket income to top-flight club finances.

However, all but one Premier League club raised their ticket prices ahead of the ongoing 2024/25 season, whilst Manchester United announced this week that all new tickets for children and older fans at Old Trafford will increase to £66.

As confirmed by MailSport’s Mike Keegan ahead of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, fans of both Manchester and Merseyside clubs will join forces to protest against rising ticket prices and what they say is the ‘exploitation of loyal supporters’.

At Anfield, fans from both Liverpool’s Spirit of Shankly and Manchester City’s 1894 and MCFC Fans Foodbank Support will stand alongside one another outside the foodbank collection point near the corner of the Kop and Kenny Dalglish stands.

MCFC Fans Foodbank Support spokesperson, Nick Clarke has told MailSport, “There’s been increasing animosity between City and Liverpool fans in recent years due to the rivalry on the pitch, so we’re incredibly proud to stand together on this important issue.

Clarke continued, “Tribalism holds football fans back from addressing the real threats to the game we built – working-class fans are being priced out before our eyes. We can reverse this trend.”

A further statement from Spirit of Shankly spokesman, Gareth Roberts said, “It’s time for clubs to remember that their wealth and success are built on the unwavering loyalty of their supporters.

“That passionate support that fuels the creation of flags and banners, of songs, and vocal backing, comes from generational commitment to the cause. That support is being threatened by the price of football – from tickets to TV subscriptions, even down to the prices of food and drink on the concourse.

“Raising prices when financial pressures on fans are at an all-time high is an insult. We’re proud to unite with fans from Manchester in this campaign to fight for fairness.”