New Wembley, New Prices

Sports Minister Richard Caborn has added his weight to a  row brewing over ticket prices for the FA Cup final.

Ticket prices have come under scrutiny ahead of the first FA Cup final to be held at the new Wembley Stadium next month.

Supporter groups have criticized the FA’s pricing structure, believing tickets for football generally are alienating real fans.

Tickets will start at £35, rising to £60, £80 and £95 for the game between Manchester United and Chelsea on 19 May marks the final’s return to its traditional home. Chelsea were the last winners of the FA Cup when the final was played at the old Wembley, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in 2000.

A limited number of seats will be available at £17.50 for under-16s.

Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive said, “”It was important to set ticket prices at a sensible and affordable level. We believe these are very competitive for what will be a historic match.”

The Football Supporters’ Federation were less happy, believing tickets should start at £15-20, rather than £35.
Chairman Malcolm Clarke said: “That would have been quite reasonable. The two clubs could certainly afford it. Football in general is rapidly pricing itself out of the reach of a lot of ordinary supporters. Across the board football, is too highly priced and this is just the latest example.”

Sports Minister Richard Caborn added his voice to the debate in an interview with BBC Radio Five Live. When asked if the ticket prices were OK he said: “No, it’s not OK. I’ve said this very clearly, that I think the clubs and indeed the FA have got to look at ticket pricing and make sure that some of the profits made are recycled back into the game. They [the FA] have got to look at it very carefully. They are in the marketplace and I’m hoping they will review the ticket pricing.”