da dobrowin： Arsenal are about to set a new landmark in English footballing history, it isn’t a record that will be forever remembered with reverence either. For the cost of an ‘ordinary’ ticket to watch the Premier League will be raised in the New Year to break the £100 barrier, making them the most expensive non-hospitality seats ever. The ticket price will incorporate the new VAT increase to 20 percent, and whilst Arsenal are able to absorb the increase, they’re showing no indication towards doing so. Another example of the incessant alienation of fans confronts us and brings forth the inevitable lament towards the clubs who debase themselves from working-class traditions.
da betobet： In an era of financial uncertainty and constraint, an era that has witnessed a bail-out of Greece and immanently to be Ireland, how can football clubs legitimately justify these actions? The chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, Malcolm Clarke stressed that: “A £100 ticket in the present climate is ridiculous. It is proof that football is not living in the same world as the rest of us.” Our indignation also stems from the types of morally reprehensible characters that adorn themselves with material wealth for the physical exertion that we pay to watch. Certain players don’t consider their privileged position, how little it actually matters in society, choosing to elevate themselves above the ordinary standard of people due to their immeasurable self-worth.
Football was once a game that inspired people due to the characters that played it and their presence within the community, or at least the humility they would display. But then it can be argued that we are products of our environment and if clubs are increasing prices, they are themselves to blame for the perpetuation of the players deficient behavior.
In Germany Borussia Dortmund charge a mere £9 for their cheapest seat, yet it is still the chance to witness top flight football in their country. To be fair Arsenal do offer a range of prices for tickets, charging £48 to £94 for ‘Category A’ games against opposition such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham. For opposition deemed of lesser quality, the prices range from £33 to £66, but it still represents a significant amount of money that could be better spent when finances are tight.
The days of children being able to watch football with the earnings they’ve amounted through various odd jobs or pocket money are gone, forever to be romanticized over by the people who did. These price increases are well ahead of inflation, they represent the greed of clubs wishing to milk their adoring fans who attend weekly to witness the best the Premier League has to offer.
It is a travesty when people are priced out of a sport that is supposed to be inclusive and embrace all walks of life, yet now it is increasingly becoming exclusive, only enjoyable to those who can afford it. I can think of far better ways to spend £100, than to line the pockets of the insatiable business that is willing to distance itself from the majority for the profits gained from the minority.
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