AC Milan ‘stand firmly behind’ Udinese boycott and announce ticket price action plan
AC Milan have announced the official club stance regarding away ticket prices, showing solidarity with the Curva Sud.
Milanisti travel not just around Italy but around Europe to follow their team, showing lifelong devotion. Despite this, the fan groups are sometimes forced to take a principled stance on certain matters, for the greater good and the health of football.
In a statement on their social media page, the Curva Sud confirmed that they will not travel to the match against Udinese on Sunday. The reason was due to the ticking price being over €60, something they feel is disproportionate. It is not the first time the group have taken such action.
Now, an official statement on the club’s website has made their thoughts on the matter crystal clear, as they have chosen to back the stance of those who are boycotting the game in Udine at the weekend.
“AC Milan stands firmly behind its supporters in their fight against excessive away ticket prices. Our fans have announced they will boycott the upcoming match against Udinese after being charged higher prices for away tickets than supporters of other clubs. We understand their frustration and fully support their position.
“Supporting a team away from home already comes at a significant financial cost. Beyond match tickets, fans must pay for fuel, motorway tolls, transport and, in many cases, accommodation. These commitments make it all the more important that supporters are treated fairly regardless of which club they follow.
“The global appeal of Italian football depends heavily on the loyalty and passion of supporters of clubs like AC Milan. Charging those same fans excessive prices for away games is not only unfair but undermines the unity of the league at a time when Italian football needs to come together to compete against the Premier League and other European leagues.
“Practices like these only deepen divisions between clubs and creates an unhealthy antagonism between big and small teams in Serie A.”
Action plan: What Milan plan to do about it
The statement from the club continues, addressing how to possibly fix things: “Under the leadership of Gerry Cardinale, AC Milan wants to help resolve this issue for the benefit of all fans across Serie A.
“We will push for a league-wide cap on excessive away ticket prices. We are also prepared to introduce a policy of reciprocity: clubs charging our supporters above average ticket pricing should expect their own fans to face higher prices when visiting San Siro, subject to applicable regulations.
“Any additional proceeds generated would be donated to Fondazione Milan to support charitable initiatives benefiting local communities.
“It is time for Italian football to come together as a league and as a collective fan base, especially at a time when this important cultural institution has never been more challenged.
“Italian football cannot grow stronger by treating supporters differently based on the size of their club. We are all in this together, and we call on every Serie A club to embrace a fairer, more sustainable future for our game.”
