Yahoo News Leicester City season-ticket holders urged not to pay controversial charge as U-turn requested
Leicester City’s three leading supporters groups have joined forces to urge season-ticket holders to avoid paying £25 for the physical cards while they are in dispute with the club.
The Foxes Trust, Union FS, and the LCFC Official Supporters Club sat down with City to discuss the controversial charge on Wednesday. The club, in an attempt to encourage fans to take up mobile ticketing, are asking for £25 for season-ticket holders who wish to receive a physical card on top of the five per cent price increase.
It's a decision that has generated anger among supporters. The Foxes Trust previously said the price was "unjustifiable", especially with glitches around the system, and argued supporters should be incentivised to take up mobile ticketing, rather than punished for wanting a physical card. Union FS held up a banner reading 'No to loyalty tax' during City's 5-0 win over Southampton.
READ MORE: Where Leicester City got it wrong with season-ticket 'own goal' as transfer necessities pondered
READ MORE: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall transfer makes sense for Leicester City - but also exposes huge FFP flaw
Season-ticket renewals begin on Friday morning, but following an unproductive meeting in which the supporters’ groups say they are “not satisfied” with the club’s explanation over the charge, they are urging fans not to opt in while they argue for a reversal of the decision. In any case, supporters have until Wednesday, June 5 to request a physical card.
In a joint statement on Thursday night, the supporters’ groups said: “We as fan groups met with club representatives last night (Wednesday) and are not satisfied with their explanation for the new charge on retaining physical season tickets. We call on LCFC to act on our concerns as a matter of urgency and have requested a reversal of their decision.
“We will provide further updates over the next couple of days. As renewals start at 10am on Friday, we suggest fans hold off paying the £25 charge until a resolution is found with the club. Fans have until Wednesday, June 5 to request these anyway.”
Talks between the club and the supporters groups over the matter are ongoing. In making mobile ticketing the default, the club said it would “increase efficiency and security” around the King Power Stadium as they look to tackle ticket touting and anti-social behaviour at matches.
The charge would not apply to all supporters, with under-12s, over-65s and fans with a registered disability able to receive a physical card for free. On Sunday night, the club released a document on frequently-raised questions over mobile ticketing and the actions they're taking to address them.
