Manchester City and their board have come under fire from their own supporters this week amid growing anger over ticket prices at the Etihad Stadium.
With City still competing at the top of English and European football, many fans feel pricing policies are actively harming the match-going experience, with poor attendances leading to visible empty seats and a quiet atmosphere.
How have Man City fans reacted to Etihad Stadium ticket prices?
It is not the first time in recent years that decisions from the board have angered the fanbase.
On online fan forums such as BlueMoon, long-time supporters have expressed their deep frustration with how ticket pricing and access have developed in recent years.
One member lamented that City's dominance on the pitch has been overshadowed by a lack of atmosphere in the stands, with some former season ticket holders saying they feel priced out and replaced by more casual attendees.
Others have spoken out too, with another fan claiming that the board “have ripped the heart out of the support,” which saw another agree, saying: “They have killed our support after 10 years of success on the pitch. That's some achievement.”
Several contributors also criticised the difficulty in transferring tickets, high costs and poor engagement with the club's core fanbase, with one supporter labelling it all a “disaster”.
FGG says: Match-going Man City fans have every right to be annoyed
Man City are, undeniably, one of the richest clubs in world football, with huge revenues being generated via sponsorship, broadcasting opportunities and competition prize money.
Given those factors, fans are surely justified in questioning why attending matches is becoming increasingly unaffordable, especially when the Etihad can often be seen with a plethora of empty seats, so the increasing prices are not down to demand.
A good atmosphere cannot be manufactured – it comes from a committed and loyal fanbase who attend week-in, week-out. If pricing continues to push those types away, then the club ultimately risks damaging something that money can't replace.
For a club built on community pride, City's hierarchy may need to rethink whether maximising short-term revenue is worth the long-term cost to their support.