During the live broadcast of the FA Cup third-round draw on Monday, a Manchester United fan reportedly staged a protest by holding up a phone with the message “£66 thieves.” The protest took place as BBC presenter Kelly Somers was discussing the upcoming matches, with the FA Cup trophy placed next to her. According to reports from The Sun, the protester was immediately kicked out of the event after the message was displayed.
The message refers to a controversial increase in ticket prices for Manchester United fans, with certain matchday tickets now costing up to £66. This price hike has sparked widespread criticism among supporters. Many feel the price increase is unreasonable, especially given the club’s ongoing issues under the ownership of the Glazers, the American family that has owned United since 2005. The Glazers’ long-standing lack of investment in the club has contributed to frustration among fans, many of whom feel they are being asked to bear the financial burden of the club’s mismanagement.
In response to the price hike, the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction. They criticized the club for raising ticket prices without consulting fan groups like MUST, the Fan Advisory Board, or the Forum. The statement emphasized that the club had simply informed fans of the price increase, with no prior dialogue or explanation regarding the decision. The trust also pointed to the hypocrisy of expecting fans to pay more when the club has been criticized for underperformance and the Glazers’ failure to reinvest profits into the team. https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/man-utd/fa-cup-draw-man-united-news-bbc-690901-20241203#:~:text=of%20United%20being-,slammed%20for%20their,-%27offensive%27%20ticket%20prices
The protester who held up the “£66 thieves” message later took to social media to confirm that they had been removed from the draw event. They posted: “I got kicked out for this btw.” The act of protest highlights ongoing discontent among United fans regarding ticket prices, especially as the club continues to navigate its financial and performance struggles. https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/man-utd/fa-cup-draw-man-united-news-bbc-690901-20241203#:~:text=understood%20to%20be-,responsible%20for%20the,-act%20later%20took