Liverpool chief doubles down on ticket stance ahead of fan protests at Anfield
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Liverpool supporters are set to protest ahead of their Premier League clash with Fulham at Anfield on Saturday after the club announced plans to increase ticket pricesLiverpool chief executive Billy Hogan has written to all of the club's season ticket holders and members in a last-ditch effort to quell protests ahead of Saturday's home game against Fulham. On Thursday, fan group Spion Kop 1906 confirmed that they will remove their flags and banners from the Kop End for the 'remaining fixtures'.Hogan has now issued a plea to supporters but doubled down on the club's stance.
The chief executive of Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, wrote in a letter: "Liverpool Football Club fully respects the right of supporters to protest and we acknowledge those supporters who are opposed to this approach."But we would also ask one thing in the days and weeks ahead: that any protest, and any debate, is grounded in the facts - what is changing, why it is changing, and what it means in real terms."WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football's greatest tournament - Buy the Special Edition todayREAD MORE: How Liverpool could line up next season with three transfers after Salah and Robertson exitsREAD MORE: Liverpool facing £87m transfer decision after Mo Salah exit as Arne Slot notices changeHogan added: "Our matchday operating costs at Anfield have risen significantly in recent years - up 85% including Anfield Road (or 57% excluding Anfield Road) over the past decade, with utility costs up 107% over just the past four years and business rates up 286% in that same period."The American went on to explain that the three per cent rise would mean that for next season, an adult's general admission season ticket holders would cost between £1.13 and £1.42 extra per game. Hogan says that the current forecast predicts that the cost of an adult's general admission matchday ticket would rise by between £3 and £4.50 over the full three years.He then defended Liverpool's pricing compared to their Premier League rivals, adding: "We have frozen general admission season ticket prices in eight of the last ten seasons.
Since 2016/17, our competitors in the top six have increased ticket prices by an average of 17%, where we have increased our prices by 4% over the same period."No decision has been made post this three year approach and we will continue to meaningfully engage with our Supporters Board ahead of that time."His letter has been met with fierce backlash from supporters. Arne Slot's side have lost four of their last six games, winning just one, and they'll need to overturn a two-goal deficit in their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.