May 9 – With the play-offs for promotion to the Scottish Premier League (SPL) beginning today, a row has broken out over ticket prices with both Rangers and Hibernian being disallowed from admitting season ticket holders without a fee.
Play-off rules stipulate that 50% of gross income from play-offs goes as a levy towards a parachute fee for relegated clubs. The SPL has stepped in to stop the clubs giving tickets away to season ticket holders as they say this would break rules on differential pricing.
Hibernian were relegated from the Scottish Premier League (SPL) last season and received £500,000. If they don’t make it through the play-offs they will receive a further £250,000 as the second year of their parachute payment.
Glasgow giants Rangers, who have been travelling back up the leagues after being demoted three divisions for entering administration, had initially planned to allow season ticket holders free entry to their first home play off game against Queen of the South.
The SPL quickly squashed this plan and Rangers have said season tickets holders will now pay just £5.
Hibernian will charge £15 for an adult ticket for their play-off home match against the winners of the Rangers vs Queen of the South tie. Last season Hibs didn’t charge season ticket holders, but this was prior to the new rules.
Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster is now calling for a reform of the rules.
“Our experience of the competition and the interaction and expectations of supporters has led us to the conclusion that collectively we need to re-evaluate the current rules, particularly in relation to season ticket holders,” she told the BBC.
“This will help to avoid future conflict between clubs, their supporters and the league body.”
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