The popular Nottingham Forest fan group, Forza Garibaldi, will remove flags, banners, and displays for the next home match against Manchester City next weekend.
Forza Garibaldi emerged in 2016 and have been responsible for the impressive pre-match tifos at the City Ground, including the recent Morgan Gibbs-White display before the match against Fulham.
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A statement on the recent announcement of season card pricing for the 2024-25 season:https://t.co/jMvR3DwwtO pic.twitter.com/hk2jw7gmbM
— Forza Garibaldi (@Forza_Garibaldi) April 17, 2024
Forza Garibaldi condemn price hike
Following yesterday’s news that season ticket prices at Forest are set to increase by an average of 24% for the upcoming season, Forza Garibaldi released a strongly worded statement condemning the price hike.
In a statement, they said (via Forza Garibaldi): “We are dismayed and frustrated to see the significant rise in season card prices. At a time of great financial strain for the people of Nottingham and beyond this is both inconsiderate and damaging to supporters. We feel it also deeply damages the relationship between club and fans.”
The group added: “The decision to rise season card prices in such a way is deeply troubling, especially when increases last season were of a similar level. A quick calculation suggests that the total income from the increases this season may be something between £2 and £3 million. We all know that this is a rather insignificant sum compared to the recently reported annual turnover of £155m.”
No displays or flags for Manchester City match
Forza Garibaldi also announced in their statement that there will be no banners, flags, or displays for the next home match against Manchester City taking place next weekend. They said: “As a starting point we are withdrawing plans for flags / banners / displays for the Manchester City game. While this is far from ideal timing, we feel we have no choice but to take a stand.
“We understand that this may disappoint some of you and also the team who need our support, but it is important to us as a group that we are not allowing this decision by the club to go without action. While we realise such a step may ultimately be futile, we feel it is appropriate to demonstrate our frustration at this time and will highlight how vital supporters are to the club.”
The decision to remove banners, displays, and flags for the City game has been criticised by some Forest supporters on X.com. In reply to fans who felt that the decision could be detrimental to this team’s performance at a critical part of the season, Forza Garibaldi responded with insights about their relationship with the club.
One fan asked, “Why not have a banner about fans before £’s or similar?” Forza Garibaldi responded, “It’s a fair question. Will try and give you a proper response. To go to Forest and suggest we intend to do a banner along those lines, would be painful. We expect it wouldn’t be allowed, and if we did it anyway we’d face repercussions. They do not welcome criticism.
“We tend to crack on as best we can, despite things often being hard work with Forest. The Fulham display was almost stopped 24 hours before because someone at the club described it as ‘almost negative to the team.’ That shows how hard these things can be.”
The Fulham display read “Shut everything out and play your game” with a depiction of Forest talisman, Gibbs-White, performing his trademark celebration with his eyes closed and his index fingers placed in both ears. Forest’s number 10 registered a goal and an assist in a 3-1 Forest victory.
It’s a fair question. Will try and give you a proper response.
To go to Forest and suggest we intend to do a banner along those lines, would be painful. We expect it wouldn’t be allowed, and if we did it anyway we’d face repercussions.
They do not welcome criticism.
— Forza Garibaldi (@Forza_Garibaldi) April 17, 2024