Man City deepen fan row after new protest – ‘this is an interesting twist’
Man City have frozen ticket prices for the 2025-26 campaign but fans remain unhappy with their treatment and protested yet again before Tuesday’s clash with Aston Villa.
The Premier League giants have introduced new restrictions on season ticket holders – requiring them to attend 10 of the 19 home games next season in person.
Season ticket holders must also pass six tickets back to the club or forward them to eligible Man City members.
Empty seats were visible throughout the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday (22 April) as City beat Aston Villa 2-1 to take a big step towards Champions League qualification – with adult tickets for the match costing £71.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has insisted the ownership at City are opening a “schism” between them and the fans.
Man City ticket changes ‘don’t make sense’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the move may be aimed at getting more “tourist fans” through the door.
Man City are in the process of expanding the Etihad Stadium to a capacity of more than 60,000 – as well as adding a new hotel and fan zone.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 3 | Man City | 34 | 61 | 23 |
| 4 | Nottingham Forest | 33 | 60 | 14 |
| 5 | Newcastle United | 33 | 59 | 18 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 33 | 57 | 18 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 34 | 57 | 5 |
Reacting to the new move by club chiefs, Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s strange.
“We’ve seen City fans successfully protest and get season ticket prizes frozen.
“But that has come with a new way to stop fans transferring their season tickets. This is something I haven’t seen before.
“City are trying to get more tourist fans in, and it’s a weird situation. I don’t see how it makes a big difference for a season ticket holder who has already paid the money.
“The stadium has been nicknamed the Emptyhad for years, because the attendances are not so big.
“The fan relationship with City is not great right now. This is another interesting twist and it looks more like a schism between the ownership and fans right now.
“It doesn’t make sense for me. There’s a PR benefit to keeping fans on side, so I don’t see the benefit of making these changes.
“I’m sensing a change in the atmosphere at City. We’ll see how it develops.”
Man City accelerate goalkeeper signing plan
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (22 April) that Ederson’s continued injury concerns have accelerated Man City’s plans to sign a new goalkeeper.
The 31-year-old is out with a hip problem but remains the number-one shot-stopper at City and is a key man for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Stefan Ortega has proved a capable understudy for Ederson but could push for a move away this summer to play regular first-team football in the prime years of his career.
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