UEFA urged to take action after recent Aston Villa Champions League controversy
Bryan King has called for UEFA to set price caps after Aston Villa revealed their pricing for Champions League matches at Villa Park.
The ex-Villa scout believes UEFA should follow in their own footsteps after they recently announced that the maximum cost clubs could charge away supporters in Europe was to be reduced (UEFA Official Website, 2 September).
Aston Villa recently announced via the club's official website (4 September) that adult tickets for their four home Champions League games would be priced at £85, £94 and £97.
The Aston Villa Supporters' Trust hit back via their official website (4 September), describing the ticket pricing as "out of touch."
However, King - speaking exclusively to Villa News - doesn't think attendance will be impacted.
“Hang on here? Visiting supporters coming to clubs will only pay a maximum of £50?” King said.
“Why don’t UEFA set a cap on what clubs can charge home supporters who don’t have season tickets?
"However, we didn’t have these problems with other clubs, people just seemed to be proud to go and see the game, and it certainly didn’t impact attendance did it.”
UEFA to take action after Aston Villa ticket announcement?
Villa Park will no doubt be packed out for all four of the club's Champions League matches.
However, the prices set by the club are still a slap in the face to hard-working, loyal supporters who might not be able to afford those prices.
Therefore, this is something UEFA should perhaps consider looking into, just as they have done with away supporters.
Whether or not the organisation have the power to do anything remains to be seen. However, it is important to ensure that football fans are not being exploited by their clubs and that the game remains for everybody.
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