Bayern ultra group urges boycott of Donetsk match over ticket prices
The issue at hand is ticketing prices. It remains to be seen - given some of the other angles on the matter - if other ultra groups will join in.
| Veltins Arena | Christof Köpsel, Getty Images |
Notoriously proud of the commitment of their clubs to keep Champions' League ticket prices low, German football fans are known to take a hard line on the issue of away UCL ticketing prices. One of FC Bayern München's largest ultra societies has fired a predictable opening salvo ahead of a December Champions' League fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk to be hosted at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
After it was revealed that the Ukrainian club seeks to charge upwards of €52 for away fans to attend the match, and use a progressive pricing system that can drive the price higher once fewer tickets become available, the ultra group "Südkurve München" announced that they would be boycotting the match.
“Don't be fooled and boycott the away game at Shakhtar Donetsk,” the ultra group's Sunday-released statement red, ”Stand for fair pricing and against top match surcharges!”
It remains to be seen if other ultra groups will follow suit. To place matters into context, the €52 price tag constitutes a huge deviation for normal German Champions' League ticket prices. Even the November UCL match against PSG at the Allianz, for example, can be attended for as little as €19.
On the other hand, it's possible that the Ukrainian club's desire to raise some revenue for themselves might be construed as a worthy cause by some ultra groups. Moreover, the fact that struggling a 50+1 club such as Schalke can also earn some extra revenue might compel some German football lovers to attend.
