CHELSEA fans have slammed the club for hiking Champions League ticket prices ahead of the return of former boss Jose Mourinho.
Blues supporters are furious that Tuesday’s clash with Mourinho’s Benfica has been designated a category AA game.
That means an adult ticket will cost at least £71 and up to £83, with no concessionary prices in many areas of Stamford Bridge for senior fans or those under-23 or under-20.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said: “The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) is deeply concerned with the club’s handling of ticket sales for upcoming Uefa Champions League fixtures.
“Recent decisions have been marked by poor communication, unjustifiable price increases, and a disregard for supporters.
“The message is clear – stop exploiting our loyalty.”
Supporters were already fuming about Chelsea selling seats for the four home games in the CL league stage – against Benfica, Ajax, Barcelona and Pafos – in a bundle.
As a result, season-ticket holders faced the prospect of not being able to sit in their usual seat unless they stumped up for all four games.
The CST started their #StopExploitingLoyalty campaign in the summer when Chelsea raised the price of season tickets and memberships and increased booking fees.
The club is not commenting on the fan reaction to the latest row over Champions League seats.
But director Danny Finkelstein replied to one supporter asking him to justify the £71 cost on social media by saying: “Because we need revenue to compete.
“That’s why it’s important to stress that any money raised by Chelsea is spent on Chelsea.”
Other fans responded by pointing out matchday revenue makes up less than 20 per cent of the club’s income and the club’s failure to secure a new shirt sponsor was making a far bigger impact on income.
Chelsea are riding out the latest fan rebellion.
They insist the Champions League four-game bundle has been very popular and the cost of individual CL tickets is only slightly higher on average than the bundle rate.
The Blues also claim the prices are comparable to those charged by other clubs and were set after consultation to changes in concessions policy with Chelsea’s Fan Advisory Board.
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