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Supporters group calls FA Cup pricing into question

The Football Supporters Association (FSA) has slammed clubs that are charging above the Premier League price cap for FA Cup away tickets.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been allocated 3,048 tickets for its third-round replay tonight (Wednesday) at Manchester United’s Old Trafford, with each pass costing between £37 and £55. The Premier League price cap for away tickets is just £30.

United fans will pay between £13 and £46 for their seats at the 76,000-capacity stadium, while the same fans paid a maximum of £35 at Molineux.

FA rules state the home club decides ticket prices, and higher prices may be mutually agreed between the clubs, while visiting fans can only be charged more than home supporters if mutually agreed by both clubs.

The FSA, which helped coordinate the campaign for the English top tier ticket price rules, told The Daily Telegraph: “We don’t see why clubs should disregard that principle for other competitions.

“This might not be a Premier League game, but the FA Cup should never be used as an excuse to ramp up costs and rip off fans. Keep the cup affordable.”

United has responded by claiming that the fixture has been priced fairly, adding that Wolves could have requested more tickets for the match and the pricing of £37 to £47 for season-ticket holders is comparable to home ticket rates.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has criticised Manchester United’s ticket pricing, stating, “£55? It’s too much, isn’t it? So I don’t agree.”

He told The Sunday Times newspaper: “I would prefer fans do not pay too much but I cannot do anything about it. Make it cheaper, cheaper, cheaper.”

Image: Steve Collis