Liverpool consider ticket price review after protest

Liverpool’s owners will consider a review of controversial ticket price hikes after being shocked by a walkout protest by 10,000 fans, media said on Monday. The Fenway Sports Group held emergency talks after Saturday’s protest and again Sunday, British newspapers reported.

Fans have meanwhile threatened more walkouts in looming key games against Chelsea and Manchester City.

Liverpool’s owners will consider a review of controversial ticket price hikes after being shocked by a walkout protest by 10,000 fans, media said on Monday.

The Fenway Sports Group held emergency talks after Saturday’s protest and again Sunday, British newspapers reported. Fans have meanwhile threatened more walkouts in looming key games against Chelsea and Manchester City.

Saturday’s walkout was staged in the 77th minute of the 2-2 home draw against Sunderland in protest at the £77 ($112) top price for a seat in the new main stand at Anfield.

Fans chanted “you greedy bastards, enough is enough” as thousands stood up and walked up in a gesture that shocked the FSG owners.

The board talks are set to continue this week. But a review is possible even though the English club’s management insist that about two thirds of main stand ticket prices will remain stable or fall.

Liverpool have felt the brunt of growing discontent among English fans at the steady increase in ticket prices while Premier League revenues have shot up, notably after making a £5.14 billion ($7.4 billion) television rights deal for 2016-2019, up 70 per cent on the previous deal.

Jay McKenna, spokesman for the Spirit of Shankly supporters group, said Saturday’s protest was “a good indication that supporters are very angry at prices and this will just be the start of taking more action.”