Aston Villa Champions League controversy to spark ‘Revolution’ as supporters being scalped
Aston Villa are one of many English clubs scalping supporters in particular with Champions League tickets, according to Ian Darke.
Villa’s President of Business Operations Chris Heck has been slammed during the season for charging loyal fans and season ticket holders costs of up to £85 for standard tickets for home league phase fixtures in Europe.
TNT Sports commentator Darke, speaking exclusively to Villa News, has called for a “revolution” in unnecessary ticket pricing, with £1.8million paid to the club for each win in the competition which reinforces the argument [John Townley, 23 October].
“Are they scalping supporters? In a word, yes. But I think that about the Premier League generally and its clubs. They need to look at the Bundesliga”, Darke said.
“Clubs are making a fortune not just out of domestic TV revenue but also the world rights deal as well, so they have to look after fans a lot better.
“You can’t help it with changing kick-off times to suit TV as they are the paymasters, but you can help it with things like subsidising supporters’ travel. There needs to be a general revolution in that department.”
Aston Villa set to make millions more this season from Europe
With £1.8million awarded to clubs per win in the Champions League and just short of £600,000 per draw, Aston Villa are raking in the funds.
Unai Emery’s side have already scooped three wins this season in the tournament’s league phase, despite losing at Club Brugge last time out [6 November].
In the league phase alone, Villa can still make up to another £7.2million, rendering the ticket price hikes entirely damaging to the fanbase in the eyes of many.
In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell gives an update on the contract situation of Morgan Rogers.
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