Chelsea fans’ group criticise club over Inter ticket prices

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The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has called for a “total culture change” at the club after the release of ticket prices for a pre-season friendly against Inter Milan.

The game will take place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 11 August, with the most expensive ticket costing £59 for an adult on general sale and the lowest-priced adult ticket costing £26 for a season ticket holder or member with a restricted view.

In a statement, the Trust said: “Pricing tickets for a friendly fixture at record amounts excludes many supporters from purchasing and the awarding of points for this type of fixture feels unfair and ill-thought-out.

“This poor price structure is a chance missed by Chelsea FC to engage with the next generation of Chelsea supporters.”

The CST say the pricing represents an average-price increase for season ticket holders and members of 28.6% and an average increase of 61.9% for the price of a ticket bought on general sale.

They added: “The ownership group encouragingly set out at the end of last season that it would look to ‘earn the trust and confidence of supporters’.

“We are genuinely impressed by the willingness of the club to have difficult and challenging conversations with the CST, the FAB (Fan Advisory Board) and other supporter groups.

“It is a real shame that despite a new season, a new manager, new players and a clean slate, the chance to begin earning the trust and confidence of supporters has been overlooked at the first hurdle.”