October 16 – Bayern Munich fans are planning a protest at their Champions League clash at Arsenal next week over how much they have been forced to fork out for tickets. The Bayern fans say they will not enter the Emirates stadium for the first five minutes because of the “excessive” £64 ticket price.
The move comes as the BBC released the Price of Football study, which analyses costs at 227 clubs across Britain and Europe and which found Arsenal have the most expensive match-day ticket in the Premier League at £97, while their away tickets in the league are priced between £26 and £64.
The Bayern FC Worldwide group say the cost “make a stadium visit impossible for younger and socially disadvantaged fans” and “destroys fan culture, which is the basis of football”.
Via a statement on Facebook, the group added: “The first five minutes of the game in London will be what future football will look like if this madness continues; empty seats in the stands and no singing or emotion.
“We want to remind clubs and associations of their social responsibility and warn them of the effects, which we will all feel, both as fans and club officials.”
Germany has traditionally kept prices low whilst at the same time maintaining attendances. The cheapest ticket at Bayern’s Allianz Arena is €30 but their fans are regularly forced to pay far more at away games in Europe.
The statement added: “Over the course of a season, it adds up to a large sum, especially for younger fans. At Olympiacos, Bayern fans had to pay €50 [£37 or $57] for away tickets, in Zagreb it will be around €40 [£29 or $45].”
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