What's happened
Aston Villa's Champions League ticket prices have drawn criticism from fans, who feel the club is exploiting their loyalty. Prices range from £70 to £97, exceeding the fan advisory board's request for a cap at Premier League rates. Meanwhile, UEFA has introduced a price cap for away tickets in European competitions.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Nick Ames in The Guardian, Aston Villa's ticket prices have been criticized as 'out of touch' with fan expectations, especially given the club's long absence from European competition. The Aston Villa supporters' trust expressed disappointment, stating that loyal fans are being 'punished' by the club's pricing strategy. In contrast, UEFA's recent announcement, reported by Jamie Gardner in The Independent, aims to make European matches more accessible by capping away ticket prices, a move that highlights the disparity in how clubs approach fan engagement. Graham Falk from The Scotsman noted that this cap will benefit fans of clubs like Celtic and Rangers, emphasizing the importance of affordable matchday experiences.
How we got here
Aston Villa's return to the Champions League has been met with excitement, but the club's decision to set high ticket prices has overshadowed this achievement. The fan advisory board had previously requested a price cap aligned with Premier League rates, which was ignored in the recent announcement.
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The Union of European Football Associations is the administrative body for association football, futsal and beach soccer in Europe, although several member states are primarily or entirely located in Asia.
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The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations and contested by top-division European clubs, deciding the competition winners through a group and knockout format.