'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fans of Liverpool and Arsenal will miss the first 10 minutes of the match between the two teams at the Emirates to protest against the rising costs associated with watching football for supporters.
Supporter groups Members of the Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906 will join Arsenal’s Black Scarf Movement ahead of the scheduled 12:45 pm kickoff. Protests are also expected to take place after the match as the fans look to have an impactful demonstration expressing their frustrations.
Interestingly, this protest has been planned despite the Premier League announcing that funds amounting to £1billion from the Premier League’s latest TV deal would be used only to help grassroots football, fans and the Football League.
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, Roy Bentham, of the Spirit of Shankly said, “Until we see the detail of those concessions, the campaign for more affordable football will continue. Diehard supporters will have travelled but cannot afford the price of £54 to go into the stadium to watch the team they create so many flags and banners for. There is something inherently wrong with that.”
The same thought process was echoed by the words of the Spion Kop 1906 fans’ group, who said, “On Saturday, we are planning to stay outside the ground and miss the first 10 minutes of the match in solidarity with those who can’t afford the extortionate price of £54 for 90 minutes of football.”
"The Black Scarf lads from Arsenal and Spirit of Shankly will be joining us for the first 10 minutes of the game. If you’re disgusted in the continuing rise of ticket prices then it’s time to stand up and make a change.”
Arsenal supporters group, the Black Scarf Movement, said, “In the pursuit of money football has sold it’s soul. The fans are that soul and no one cares about the match going fans. We put up with late fixture changes, unreasonable kick off times and ridiculously high prices. We do it ‘cos of the love of our team.”
“But the tide is turning. Old rivalries are being put aside as fans from all clubs come together. Away fans help make the event but have to pay extortionate prices. Then we’re told to ‘sit down, shut up’. It’s time to take our game back so future generations can experience what we had.”
The protest is expected to start around 12 noon.
