Tartan Army In Season Ticket Rip-off

Last updated : 15 July 2014 By Queens MAD

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THE Tartan Army last night accused the SFA of a season ticket rip-off.

Fans reacted with fury as the SFA announced the cheapest ticket for all five home Euro qualifiers and a friendly against England next year will be £190.

That compares to just £115 for five World Cup qualifiers last year.

And fans claim they are being priced out of supporting their country.

West of Scotland Tartan Army spokesman Hamish Husband said they felt their loyalty was being exploited.

He said: “I got a call from a fellow Tartan Army footsoldier who has not missed a Scotland game at home and abroad for 30 years and his message melted my phone.”

Last year’s World Cup qualifier season tickets averaged £23 a match.

The £190 minimum price for next year is an average of almost £32 – and there is also a £45 fee to join the Scotland supporters’ club.

The most expensive Scotland ticket package costs £250, an average of almost £42 a match.

Opponents for the Euro qualifiers include newly-crowned world champions Germany.

Husband reckons fans are being fleeced once again.

He said: “There are many Scotland fans who are convinced that they are being ripped off because of their loyalty.

“The crowds in the last qualifying games were amazing considering the performances.

“We know we are playing the world champions Germany but we also have Gibraltar in our Euro 2016 qualifying group.

“The cheapest ticket for the Germany fixture in Dortmund is 25 euros, which is about £20.

“It also seems apparent that the purpose of the England game – which is a friendly match – is just to fleece the fans and make money out of them.”

The SFA defended the ticket prices and said that the fans were getting value for money by buying all six games in their package.

An SFA spokesman said: “The Irish season ticket price is 250 euros and does not include the Germany game and is only a season ticket up until the end of season 2014-15.

“There are three qualifiers and three friendly matches in that package. The SFA’s season ticket is for the entire campaign. What do people think is a fair price?

“Fans always throw up the argument that ticket prices in Germany are cheaper.

“That is because Germany has 10 times the TV revenue and a vibrant domestic league that sells out which Scotland don’t have.

“The same thing happened the last time and the Scotland season ticket ended up selling out.”

Social media sites were flooded with Scots fans complaining they could not afford to watch the France 2016 qualifying campaign.

Chris Donnelly tweeted: “I cannot believe the prices of those tickets. What planet are you all on? Get them reduced now!”

Sandy McKie wrote: “Your prices are a disgrace. Stop the silly season tickets now.”

Daniel Shields tweeted: “£295 for tickets + membership, without train, pints etc. When did supporting Scotland become extortionate?”