Manchester City decision makers backtrack on ticket payments for UEFA Champions League game after fan outrage

Decision makers at Manchester City have backtracked on a choice they had originally made to take payments for a Champions League game with less than one day’s notice.

It is the latest in a list of decisions taken by the Premier League champions that have caused frustration amongst their most loyal supporters, with many match-going fans feeling aggrieved as to the treatment towards them.

Earlier this season, Manchester City u-turned on a decision to begin charging disabled supporters up to £228 per season for a parking space at the Etihad Stadium, with car parking originally free for those fans.

However, following significant backlash and campaigning across social media, City decided to only charge disabled fans for parking at the stadium if they booked a spot and did not turn up, with those who had paid for parking at a home clash against Ipswich Town receiving a refund.

Now, the latest decision taken by the club has seen Manchester City take payments from ‘cup scheme’ supporters for a UEFA Champions League game in November this month, with over a month until the fixture and with less than a days notice.

But after heavy backlash and complaints made across social media, with concerns sent to representative fan groups, Manchester City have since decided to u-turn on such a stance, issuing supporters with more time before payments are taken.

Confirming the decision to backtrack on terms outlined on the official club website, fan representative’s City Matters issued an update on X, “Yesterday, we raised supporter’s understandable concern about late notice for cup scheme payments for the Feyenoord match.

The statement continued, “Thankfully, the Club have taken this feedback onboard and payment will now be taken on 28th October.”

Manchester City will take on Eredivisie side Feyenoord on matchday five of the expanded and revamped UEFA Champions League and the competition’s league phase at the Etihad Stadium on 26 November.

Before then, a whole host of fixtures loom for Pep Guardiola and his squad, including two further contests in the Champions League, a Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham, as well as multiple high-profile Premier League encounters.