Manchester United admit they are at risk of punishment for breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and may raise ticket prices next season.
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United may face punishmentPost losses over £300m Fans may pay the priceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
United have posted severe losses in the last three years, worth £312.9 million ($386m), which place them at serious risk of a PSR breach. While they will not be punished for the past year, they have written to a fan group and have refused to rule out further price rises when it comes to tickets. Earlier this season, INEOS, spearheaded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, introduced a flat rate of £66 per ticket, with no prior consultation with supporters.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
United currently appear to have a plan to navigate the potential PSR breach, with both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, two homegrown players, placed up for sale. The winger is nearing a move to Chelsea, and the latter has been linked with Bayern Munich. Their delicate finances mean previously untouchable players may now be available, purely because of the balance sheet.
WHAT UNITED SAID
In their letter, they said: “We are determined to ensure that our current fans can continue to afford to attend games and that tickets are accessible for future generations of fans.
“As previously communicated, we are however currently making a significant loss each year – totalling over £300 million in the past three years. This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP [financial fair play] requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch.
“We will get back to a cash positive position as soon as possible and we will have to make some difficult choices to get there. That has included a significant reduction to our workforce as well as cuts across many areas of spend across our club.
“None of this has been easy, but we believe it is essential to restoring financial sustainability to the club which will underpin us as we work to get back to the top of English and European football.
“We do not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall – but we do need to look at our ticketing strategy to ensure we are charging the right amount, and offering the right discounts, across our products for our fans.”
GettyWHAT NEXT?
United play Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday evening. They then face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday in the Premier League. Despite their inability to guarantee ticket prices, United can guarantee being in the bottom half come Sunday night, as they sit 13th with just 26 points from 22 games.