West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady are in for uncomfortable night when they face Liverpool – in more ways than one.
West Ham head to Anfield under the lights on Wednesday night for a daunting Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool.
The Reds go into the game off the back of beating AC Milan and Bournemouth 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.
The Hammers meanwhile have just lost to Chelsea 3-0 to cement their worst home league start to a season ever.
Julen Lopetegui’s underwhelming start to life on the pitch with West Ham has been in stark contrast to Arne Slot’s at Liverpool.
Both men have succeeded successful managers in David Moyes and Jurgen Klopp.
But it’s fair to say one is acquitting himself better than the other thus far.
Lopetegui has plenty of problems to sort out on the pitch with the Hammers.
The club also has a major problem off the pitch at the moment, though, too.
One so big it’s casting a black shadow over West Ham’s season.
Now Liverpool fans planning something that will have West Ham’s owners squirming.
Anfield will make uncomfortable viewing for Sullivan and Brady
Hammers majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady had better ensure they’re sitting comfortably on Wednesday night.
Because it may be tough viewing on the pitch and in the crowd.
Hammers fans have been up in arms over the ticketing situation at their club this season.
West Ham fans launched a petition after season ticket prices rose above the rate of inflation.
Tensions reached boiling point between West Ham fans and the owners after it emerged new concessions were being restricted to bands five and six.
It means children are being charged full adult price for a new season ticket because there are no more concessions seated together.
As a result, games against the likes of Aston Villa – given Category A status this season – have seen prices set at ridiculously expensive levels, topping out at an eye-watering £105.
There have also been price hikes at Anfield much to the disgust of many Reds fans.
Liverpool fan plan will have West Ham’s owners squirming
West Ham fans have been letting off black balloons with the words ‘Stop exploiting loyalty’ and ‘Save Our Concessions’ on them.
Now Liverpool supporters are joining forces with West Ham to put pressure on the owners over ticketing.
The joint protest has been organised by FSA-member groups Hammers United, Old School Hammers and Spirit of Shankly.
Supporters of both West Ham and Liverpool will now meet outside the Kop before their teams clash to spell out a simple message to clubs – Stop Exploiting Loyalty.
The game is being broadcast as the feature match on Sky Sports.
So the joint protest will mean the issue cannot be brushed under the carpet by the TV companies and must be addressed and discussed on air.
Paul Khan, chair of Spirit of Shankly, said: “There’s a troubling trend in Premier League clubs – an apparent dismantling of concessions and rising ticket prices, disregarding the loyalty of fans, particularly senior, youth and disabled supporters.
“It’s vital that fans from all clubs come together to resist this direction and ensure loyalty is not further exploited. Football belongs to the people and supporters deserve fairness and respect. We stand in solidarity with Hammers United and Old School Hammers in the fight for fair ticket prices.”
Paul Colborne, chair of Hammers United, thanked Spirit of Shankly for their support and said his group stand united with football supporters from across the country when it came to pricing.
Hammers United backed Spirit of Shankly’s motion at the FSA AGM calling for co-ordinated action on the cost of football tickets.
“As supporters, we’ve always been the heartbeat of the game, yet our loyalty is being disregarded in favour of profit,” Colborne said.
“Fans—especially seniors, youths, and those with disabilities—are being priced out of the stadiums they’ve called home for years. This is more than a fight for fair ticket prices; it’s about preserving the soul of football.”
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