Manchester City confiscate protest banner before Arsenal clash as group calls for dialogue

Stewards at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium were instructed to remove a protest banner from one supporter group prior to the Premier League meeting with Arsenal.

Frustration and anger from all of Manchester City’s major supporter groups has increased over the past couple of weeks, following a decision to once again increase the price of season tickets for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

It is widely calculated that Manchester City have opted to rise season ticket costs by around five per cent across the Etihad Stadium, while it is believed in some areas that an increase of close to 25 per cent has been seen in some areas since the 2021/22 campaign.

Following a number of public statements made to national media outlets, one Manchester City supporter group has taken the decision to vocalise and visualise their thoughts through a protest banner ahead of their latest Premier League clash.

‘Record profits but record prices. Stop exploiting loyalty!’ was the word seen on a large banner placed in the South Stand of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in the lead-up to the high-profile clash with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

City Xtra understand that prior to kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City instructed stewards within the Etihad Stadium to confiscate and remove the banner that had been in place in the moments leading up to the walk-outs of the two teams.

A spokesperson for Manchester City supporter group 1894 told City Xtra, “The club should now come out and start talking to the fans, not go all defensive,” in response to events at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City themselves are yet to comment on the matter, however as anger and frustration continues to rise and supporter groups club together to push against continuous price rises, there is hope that discussions can be opened in the coming days and weeks.

Manchester City have followed the trend throughout the Premier League, with no club in England’s top-flight opting to freeze their season ticket costs.