October 30 – Premier League Newcastle United will refund season ticket holders for behind-closed-doors games this season after weeks of lobbying by the club’s fans.
About 18,000 supporters had money withdrawn from their bank accounts as part of long-term season ticket deals, even if they couldn’t attend Newcastle’s matches because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The club says that it will reimburse those affected in three stages in the course of the season.
“It is in instances like this that we are reminded why fan pressure is absolutely vital,” said Newcastle United Supporters Trust chairman Alex Hurst. “Thanks to fan pressure we have the information fans deserve. We welcome this announcement, it’s a step in the right direction, but it could have been sorted out a lot earlier.”
Fans will have until the end of next month to apply for the reimbursement. The first refund, for the first five home league games this campaign, will reach fans by mid-December. Fans can also opt to pay off their season tickets for 2021-22.
“Despite months of work to plan for a safe, socially distanced return of supporters, clubs across the country have not yet been given the go-ahead by authorities and an outline date for the return of spectators has yet to be confirmed by the government,” said Newcastle in a statement.
“In an online meeting with supporters and supporter groups to discuss a potential safe return to matches last month, the club made a broad commitment to refunding season ticket holders at designated stages throughout the season.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735106015labto1735106015ofdlr1735106015owedi1735106015sni@o1735106015fni1735106015