IS it just me who sees the irony in Manchester City fans complaining about the price of tickets at the Emirates on Sunday?
It has been their club's irresponsible transfer and wage policy which has forced clubs like Arsenal to raise ticket prices in order to try and compete.
Arsenal has taken a more frugal approach. They only spend on transfers and wages what they can recoup in ticket sales and merchandise. In other words - the correct way.
What this has meant however, is that they have been forced to sell their better players to clubs like City in order to balance the books. They have also been left behind in the transfer market. A player who might otherwise have been happy coming to the Emirates on £55k a week is suddenly having his head turned by the prospect of £150k at Eastlands.
And transfer fees go up as a result. Arsenal bid £10million, City bid 25. The only choice Arsenal have is to either risk future financial meltdown by speculating with money they do not have, or increasing ticket prices to try to make up the gap.
So excuse me if I feel very little sympathy for the City fans who travelled to London on Sunday. Of course I understand that the fans are not to blame for how their club chooses to do business but they need to look a little closer to home before complaining about others.
They have been quite happy to see their club splash out unsustainable amounts of money on transfer fees and wages as they have seen them go from a yo-yo club into Premier League champions. They have been quite happy for them to trample over other clubs along the way.
You cannot have it both ways. The consequences of your clubs' actions are higher ticket prices for everyone.
So City fans, next time you think you are paying too much to watch your team remember the trophies you have won in recent years and how you have been able to win them. Surely £62 is a small price to pay?
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