Man City fans have shown their displeasure with the club despite huge success on the pitch in recent years under Pep Guardiola.
City fan groups sent a joint letter to the club in February complaining about ticket prices – which they say have risen 15% since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
They also held a walk-in protest against the club’s new partnership with third-party ticket resale platform Viagogo – the ninth such agreement they have put in place.
Man City have now announced a ticket price freeze after being expected to hike rates, with season ticket and matchday prices now set to remain the same for 2025-26 following talks with their fan advisory board.
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 – claimed he feels City have “caved in too early” under pressure from fans.
Man City U-turn is ‘definitely a surprise’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted it would’ve been “fair” for City to raise prices with a “top-class product on the pitch”.
Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham and Brentford have also frozen rates, while Man United, Arsenal and Newcastle United have confirmed a price hike for next season.
City sit fifth in the Premier League table and are battling for Champions League qualification in the final six games of this season.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’m really surprised – I think City have caved in too early on this, if I’m honest.
“I think it was fair to request a bigger contribution from the fans.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Liverpool | 32 | 76 | 43 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 32 | 63 | 30 |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 32 | 59 | 21 |
| 4 | Nottingham Forest | 32 | 57 | 13 |
| 5 | Man City | 32 | 55 | 20 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 32 | 54 | 17 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 32 | 54 | 3 |
“I thought what they would have done is go back and refine some of the categories and concessions to make it fairer that way.
“But look, City are still putting out a top-class product on the pitch. They’ve had a wobble this season, but they are still incredibly good to watch.
“They are going to restock the squad and get things moving.
“I’m surprised to see them giving in, but it’s good to see because fans are paying a lot.
“Fair play to them, but I’m definitely surprised.”
Tottenham to block Man City swoop for Udogie
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (16 April) that Tottenham are confident of keeping left-back Destiny Udogie at the club despite reported interest from Man City.
Pep Guardiola‘s side will be in the market for a new marquee left-back signing this summer – with youngster Nico O’Reilly currently starting in the position.
But Spurs are confident Udogie’s long-term contract will give them sufficient leverage to reject bids in the off-season – with the Italy international’s deal running until June 2030.
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The post ‘Man City have just made shock U-turn after fan protests’ appeared first on Football Insider.
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