Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou has spoken about “plastic” fans amid the news that Tottenham are raising season ticket prices at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by 6% next season. The season ticket price hike hasn't gone down well with supporters with Spurs fans claiming the club are looking to price out the working class, local supporters in favour of tourists and daytrippers.
The Tottenham Supporter's Trust labelled the move “unacceptable” and said that it was “unjustifiable” considering the ever-growing cost of living crisis in the UK. Given the backlash, it felt inevitable that Postecoglou would be asked about the decision at some point, despite the decision to raise ticket prices having nothing to do with the Australian.
Postecoglou hits back at ‘harsh' criticism
When questioned on whether he believes Premier League clubs are targeting overseas fans with their rising prices, the former Celtic boss hit back in defence of so-called ‘plastic' supporters. He said:
“See that’s really harsh. I’ll tell you why: Because I’m probably ‘plastic’ and a ‘tourist’ because I was coming from the other side of the world really passionate about football and if I could get access to see a Premier League game, that was the world to me.
“This football club has supporters all over the world, has supporters all over the UK that don’t always get access to the games of people who live here. I just want Spurs supporters in the stand, mate – I don't just want anybody in there. I want people who are passionate about the football club. I want the stadium to reflect the attachment that they have.
“Supporters have a voice and they are allowed to use that to express how they feel. They can use that in the stadium or through other avenues. I'm never going to dictate how they should behave or what they should adhere to.”