IMUSA today condemned the latest decision by Manchester United to withdraw previous methods of payment available to United members and effectively force on them a 3 per cent surcharge when applying for tickets.
Manchester United have announced that One United members will no longer be able to apply for match tickets in writing and instead will have to apply through its website or via a phone-line. Tickets will then have to be paid for by a credit or debit card, which is subject to a 3 per cent surcharge.
IMUSA Chair Jules Spencer said:
“As if the price increases announced for next season were not enough, as if the fact that anyone who will struggle to pay for their season-ticket will not be afforded the option to re-locate was not enough, we now learn that United members will now be forced to pay a ticket-tax on every home ticket they buy, whether they like it or not”
He added:
“IMUSA have long argued that this type of surcharge that supporters are currently forced to pay on away tickets and on last years Season Ticket renewals, is blatant profiteering and it now appears no-one is immune from it
“Not only will it hit all members in the pocket, but can someone please explain how this is meant to help future generations of supporters? It is hard enough for kids these days, in having to find the money to attend and apply weeks in advance. Now they will have to pay even more and borrow a card by which to pay for it”
He added further:
“What makes it even more annoying is that it appears to have been done through the back door. There was certainly no mention of it in the Fans Forum, when we would have had an opportunity to voice our opposition. We will be writing to the Office of Fair Trading with our views”
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